The Best Careers you can Start with a Computer Science Degree

Discover the best careers with a computer science degree, plus advice on finding the right fit for your computer science career path.

Computer science degrees qualify you for some of the most in-demand tech careers in design and development, analysis, and management.

As many of the largest industries integrate more complex technologies, the number of jobs for computer science majors increases. Graduates can find computer science careers in healthcare, manufacturing, business, and the government.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 13% growth in computer occupations 2020-30, resulting from demands for improved technologies, security, cloud computing infrastructure, and big data applications. These professionals develop new and exciting ways to use technology, such as enhancing revenues, product quality, and health outcomes.

Here, we explore the best careers with an online computer science degree and what top candidates might look like.

Skills computer science employers want

There are many ways to advance your technology career. Aspiring computer science professionals can pursue degrees, industry certifications, and specialized training in areas like coding and data analytics. Additionally, candidates can pick up new soft skills and improve the ones they already have.

In the computer science field, soft skills can help professionals find new ways to tackle problems. They also help IT specialists communicate and collaborate. Below are some of the most useful hard and soft skills in this field.

Best jobs for computer science majors

Computer science majors can access many of the most popular computer occupations. The widely applicable training provides a solid foundation, which professionals can leverage and build upon. Here, we look at the best careers with a computer science degree, ranking them to help readers identify the best opportunities available.

To create this ranking, we evaluated computer science careers based on salary, job demand and projected growth, remote work opportunities, work-life balance, and work satisfaction. Salary, work-life balance, and work satisfaction were weighted the most heavily.

1. CLOUD ENGINEER

Minimum degree required: Bachelor’s

Years of experience required: 5-10

Good fit for: 

• Detail-oriented leaders with quality organizational and interpersonal skills
• Analytical professionals with problem-solving abilities, creativity, and ingenuity

Cloud engineers create plans and development strategies for cloud computing networks. They base their designs on consumer needs and technological demands while upgrading and improving the existing network and systems. These engineers ensure the system is scalable and operable for all users.

2. AI RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Minimum degree required: Master’s

Years of experience required: 0

Good fit for: 

• Logical thinkers with mathematics, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Professionals with communication and interpersonal strengths
• Leaders and innovators

AI research scientists look for ways to improve AI and use it in new and revealing ways. These scientists seek out problems that AI might help solve, conducting experiments and presenting and publishing the results of these tests.

3. DATA SCIENTIST

Minimum degree required: Bachelor’s or master’s

Years of experience required: 0

Good fit for: 

• Analytical professionals with strengths in mathematics and problem-solving
• People with a knack for creativity and ingenuity
• Organized and detail-oriented leaders

Data scientists look for different ways to use data to help organizations and industries make more informed decisions. They create mining strategies, analysis methods, and various models and visualizations to make sense of the results.

4. MOBILE APPLICATION DESIGNER

Minimum degree required: Associate or Bachelor’s

Years of experience required: 0

Good fit for: 

• Creative IT specialists with problem-solving and analytical skills
• Professionals with good customer service and communication skills

Mobile application designers create applications for organizations, websites, and software. They design based on consumer and user needs, run the application through testing, and make upgrades and improvements when necessary.

5. COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYST

Minimum degree required: Bachelor’s

Years of experience required: 0

Good fit for: 

• People with analytical skills
• Leaders with strong communication abilities
• Creative problem-solvers

Computer systems analysts evaluate an organization’s technological needs and computer systems to identify possible improvements and inefficiencies. They then plan upgrades by developing budgets and projections, while also designing and implementing the new systems and training users and administrators.

6. NETWORK AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR

Minimum degree required: Bachelor’s

Years of experience required: 0

Good fit for: 

• Multitaskers with analytical mindsets
• Problem-solvers with strong communication and interpersonal skills
• IT professionals with broad technological skill sets

Network administrators oversee the daily operations of an organization’s networks. They perform upgrades, regular maintenance, and troubleshooting whenever necessary. They also train users and look for opportunities to improve network performance based on organizational needs.

7. WEB DEVELOPER

Minimum degree required: Bachelor’s

Years of experience required: 0

Good fit for: 

• Creative-minded professionals with coding and problem-solving skills
• People with strong communication and customer service abilities
• Detail-oriented professionals

Web developers create websites for consumers based on the requirements of management and end users. They write code, integrate graphics and applications, and evaluate performance, traffic, and user concerns. Becoming a web developer requires professionals to regularly refresh their skills and application knowledge to keep websites updated and intuitive.

16. VIDEO GAME DEVELOPER

Minimum degree required: Associate or bachelor’s

Years of experience required: 0

Good fit for: 

• Programmers with communication and interpersonal skills
• Problem-solvers with original and creative thinking
• IT professionals with diverse technical abilities

Becoming a video game developer requires versatility. Video game developers create various aspects of video games, including applications, coding, gameplay mechanics, and user interfaces. They work with the game management, production staff, and user test groups to develop the most user-friendly end product.

Freelance careers in computer science

Modern technology allows IT professionals to access devices remotely. In many cases, technical problems can be diagnosed and solved from anywhere, paving the way for freelancers to take on previously in-house computer science careers.

According to IEEE Computer Society, most of the biggest computer science professions — including programmers, computer system analysts, and computer support specialists — offer freelancing opportunities. Freelancers can manage their own projects and schedules and build their own network of clients through professional organizations and events.

Here are some possible pros and cons of freelancing compared to traditional full-time employment.

How do I start a career in computer science?

The computer science field welcomes professionals from various backgrounds. According to the BLS, most computer occupations require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.

What is the highest paying job for computer science?

According to the BLS, the highest-paying computer science jobs belong to computer and information research scientists and information systems managers, who as of 2020 make median annual wages of $126,830 and $151,150, respectively.

What fun jobs can I get with a computer science degree?

While fun is subjective, computer science degrees can lead to many exciting careers. Some possible examples may include web developers, video game developers, and professionals working with artificial intelligence.

Which branch of computer science is in demand?

According to the BLS, the most in-demand branches of computer science are cybersecurity, cloud computing, and big data.

-ZDNet