Median pay: $90,700
Top pay: $128,000
10-year job growth: 20%
Total jobs: 10,000
The job:
From the PC on your desktop to the BlackBerry you carry day and night: There are lots of moving parts to a corporation’s computer network and it's the configuration manager's job to make sure they all work together. Jobs run the gamut from upgrading an old system to creating a whole new one, while keeping track of every component and making sure it operates properly. Many companies outsource their network needs, so you could sign on as a consultant with flexible hours and the freedom to pick and choose your work. The pay is also at the top of our scale for this list.
How to switch:
You'll need a background in IT, but to keep up on the latest advances in this ever-changing field, you may want some brush-up training. Call a local technical school and speak to a counselor about the courses that will help you land a job. The Association for Configuration and Data Management has more information here at acdm.org.
Quality of life ratings:
| Personal satisfaction |
Benefit to society |
Low stress |
Flexibility |
| B |
B |
B |
A |
By Donna Rosato and Tom Ziegler
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