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Yes, Electronic Data Processing is an excellent career choice. Not only are people in the field in high demand, but it’s also a part of almost every business, and it’s likely to only continue growing. Due to the expertise needed and the high demand, most professionals working in this sector are also well compensated when compared to similar-level professionals.
It’s also a good career to get started in. Due to the nature of computing and technology, it’s a relatively new field, meaning that there are fewer highly experienced professionals to compete against. Most people working in technology are relatively young. And because of its rapidly changing nature of it, youth is more valued than in many other careers.
It’s very unlikely that you’ll struggle to find work if you have education and experience in this career path, and you’re likely to be well paid, making this a solid career choice. Many of the computing skills can also be transferred to other fields, giving you flexibility if you desire it.
The majority of jobs in electronic data processing are going to require higher levels of education – generally a bachelor’s. It also requires constantly staying up to date on technological changes and new technologies and systems.
Here are 20 great jobs in Electronic Data Processing:
10 of the Best Paying Jobs in Electronic Data Processing
Due to the fact that most of these careers require higher education and knowledge of current systems, it isn’t difficult to find a high-paying job in the field. People who work in electronic data processing are wanted at almost every company due to the necessity of their expertise.
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Average Annual Salary: $110,000
This is more or less a managerial position, as a solutions architect is in charge of integrating IT systems. This requires knowledge of different types of systems – preferably the ones you’re integrating – as well as good communication and leadership skills.
Because of the difficulty of integrating two systems – and likely two different organizations – solutions architects are very well compensated.
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Average Annual Salary: $80,000
Systems Administrators are in charge of the technology systems at a company. They are responsible for keeping software and hardware up to date. It’s also their responsibility to make sure everything runs smoothly and to deal with any crashes should they occur.
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Average Annual Salary: $114,000
A person in this role is responsible for designing the data systems at a company. They decide what data is necessary to be kept, how it’s used, and how it’s integrated. This requires a strong understanding of mathematics, data, and computer systems.
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Average Annual Salary: $107,000
Like all engineers, data engineers deal with the practical applications of their area of expertise. In this case, they figure out how to take the raw data and process them into information that’s useful and relevant for the purpose. This means they need a strong grasp of programming, statistics, and database design.
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Average Annual Salary: $83,000
Database administrators are in charge of the databases in a company. They make sure that they’re kept up to date and running properly, as well as controlling access to them. They decide who can update the database, when and under what circumstances. Their duties also include keeping the data secure, backed up, and organized.
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Average Annual Salary: $95,000
While software engineers don’t always work with databases or data, it can be a specialty. Software engineers are more experienced, so they typically do less programming and more planning, collating, and coming up with solutions.
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Average Annual Salary: $92,000
This job focuses on the creation of database systems. It requires high levels of programming knowledge as well as familiarity with data, statistics, and the needs of the company. They are experts on database design as well as the evolving science of data processing.
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Average Annual Salary: $86,000
Cyber security is a major, important field in electronic data processing and information technology. Hacking and viruses are getting more complex all the time, and a cyber security analyst’s job is to be aware of vulnerabilities in the system and pay attention to evolving threats.
They make sure that the company spends the proper attention and resources on protecting their data and technological systems.
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Average Annual Salary: $94,000
Software developers are computer programmers. They develop new programs and software for their employer’s or client’s needs. This is a varied career, as you can work anywhere from data to video games to building apps. It requires precision, patience, and a strong understanding of computers as well as programming languages.
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Average Annual Salary: $102,000
Data scientists are employed anywhere, from healthcare, retail, finance, and education. They analyze raw data in order to draw conclusions to help the business succeed. This can range from being more efficient to better sales, even to cost reduction.
Because most of their job requires processing data, they need a strong understanding of statistics and computers.
Most of these careers require higher levels of education and experience. Bachelor’s degrees are the most common; however, higher education helps, especially in the more complex jobs.
All of these careers are very well compensated, showing that a career path in this sector is likely to be lucrative. However, if you’re just looking to break into the field, the below list is a better place to start.
10 Entry-Level Jobs in Electronic Data Processing
The majority of careers in electronic data processing are going to require a bachelor’s, or at the very least an associate’s degree. There are a few that are open to someone with a GED, but if you’re looking to break into this field, getting an education is the way to go.
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Average Annual Salary: $51,000
Someone in this role is in charge of the hardware involved in data centers. They make sure that the servers don’t overheat and aren’t damaged, as well as perform repairs and parts replacement. They need to have a good knowledge of hardware, as well as the optimal conditions for the particular servers and other equipment the company owns.
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Average Annual Salary: $37,000
Computer operators are generally responsible for a network of computers, despite what the job title implies. Their duties include keeping the computers’ software up to date, along with making sure that the hardware is still working properly.
This career also falls under the umbrella of IT, meaning that you’d spend a lot of time fixing computers for either the company or individual employees.
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Average Annual Salary: $42,000
Jobs with a technician in the title are often hands-on, and this one is no different. A systems technician is responsible for setting up the physical aspects of the system. This means hooking up servers, computers, and other systems – such as security. They need to understand hardware as well as be good with their hands.
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Average Annual Salary: $37,000
A help desk analyst helps individuals with technological problems. This can range from working for a major technology company to helping customers and employees in a large company.
This job doesn’t require a college degree, but you have to be able to be patient, work well with customers, and have an understanding of computers. While there’s nothing wrong with it as a career path, it’s also a great place to start while getting a higher education to get into higher-skilled tech jobs.
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Average Annual Salary: $40,000
A person in this role specializes in personal computers. They help with making sure computers are up to date, working properly, and have the requisite software installed – such as antivirus. This career has potential for advancement in IT positions, as well as moving into other computer-related fields.
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Average Annual Salary: $53,000
While not obviously tied to information databases, librarians are required to catalog books, CDs, and other media in a database. If you work in a major library, such as a university library, you have to be very familiar with databases. If you continue on a path in this field, you get into more specialized work, such as a reference librarian.
They have to have extensive knowledge of their field and the books related to it, but also know how to use the database to help find out more information about it, as well as explain that in a way that’s easy to understand.
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Average Annual Salary: $41,000
A desktop support technician works with individuals more than with the system. They are required to respond to ticket requests from employees that are having issues with their computers or other technology. You have to be flexible, patient, and a problem solver.
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Information Systems Technician
Average Annual Salary: $56,000
Someone with this title is responsible for keeping the information system up and running. They keep tabs on the system’s performance, security, and troubleshooting. They also need to be able to design networks to clients’ specifications and be able to respond promptly to problems.
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Average Annual Salary: $80,000
While this doesn’t directly relate to information systems, web development is a service that is in high demand. Web developers have to be able to respond to clients’ needs as well as keep up to date on advancements in the field. They have to be precise, patient, and willing to tweak their work to meet a client’s wants and needs.
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Average Annual Salary: $74,000
Quality Assurance Testers look for bugs or glitches in systems and code. They need to understand systems and coding, so a degree in computer science or similar is recommended.
While they don’t get nearly as much credit as the software developers, testers are necessary to have a strong finished product. They work with the programmer to fix issues in the code or system, as well as catalog problems they run into and create test plans.
The majority of these jobs need a bachelor’s degree, but it should be possible to break into them as a start to a career in the field. There are several different ways that you can get into the field as well, be it via software or hardware.
Why Choose a Career in Electronic Data Processing?
People skilled in electronic data processing are highly in demand, and it’s unlikely that that demand is going to recede in the near future. Many of the careers in the field are well paid, even to similar level jobs in a different field.
Most people in this field have certain qualities and skills that suit them to it. If the below list describes you, then electronic data processing could be for you.
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You love technology. All of the jobs in this sector have to do with computers and networks. This means that not only do you have to have knowledge of the field, but you have to be willing to keep up with advancements, which in computing are rapid.
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Fixing things is satisfying to you. While not all the jobs in this field require you to fix things in the traditional sense, most of them require tweaking and repairing. Even if it isn’t physically repairing something in terms of replacing parts, you have to find bugs and right crashes.
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You’re a creative problem solver. This is important whether you’re figuring out what’s wrong with someone’s computer or creating a database.
Most of the time, the solution will be clear with experience, but sometimes the situation is more complex than it appears, or you have incomplete information. You have to be able to take that and come up with a solution from it.
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You don’t mind working with people who know less about the subject than you do. While this is necessary for almost every career, working with technology often puts you to work with people who don’t have the sort of in-depth knowledge you do. You have to be able to figure out how to solve their problems and be patient.
A number of these qualities are dependent on what path you take in the field. For instance, some will have you working with non-technical people much more than other paths will. But no matter which direction you go, having the above qualities and skills will aid you.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Electronic Data Processing
Many of the careers listed here require a college degree. There are a few positions that it isn’t required for, but it’s still recommended. If you’re thinking of pursuing a career in electronic data processing, then here are some majors to consider.
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Computer Science. This can be especially helpful if you’re looking to become a software engineer or other programmer. But it helps with working with computers in general and shows you have expertise in the field.
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Statistics. Knowledge of statistics is necessary for working with sets of data, and it helps with working with computers, too.
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Mathematics. This will cover statistics at least in part, and the majority of programming and computer science is based on mathematics, giving you a strong foundation.
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Information Sciences. This is going to cover how information is stored and used. If you’re looking to work with data sets or databases, this is a strong basis.
There are also other specific degrees you can get at some universities. If you know you want to get into information technology, for instance, you should be able to get a degree in that. But it’ll depend on the school and how specific you want to get with your education.
There are certifications you can get in the field, but as it’s rapidly evolving, it’s best to get one that’s in an area you plan to pursue or is currently popular.
What Do People Working in Electronic Data Processing Do?
Electronic Data Processing is all about storing information on computers. So those that work in this field have to be comfortable and familiar with computers and their systems.
These systems are in almost every company, regulating anything from inventory to payroll to banking transactions. This means that a career in this sector has a lot of job security and multiple potential career paths.
- Finance
- Energy
- Commodities
- Health Care
- Transportation
- Consumer
- Pharma
- Services
- Retail
Author
Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.
