The top paying computer jobs can earn you a spot in one of the leading business organizations. You could be doing challenging and rewarding work for an excellent salary. If you’re in the IT industry or thinking about starting a computer career, you should definitely be going after these certifications. Following is a list of the ten top paying computer certifications:         

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional: CISSP certification holders earn an average of $94,018 per year. (ISC)2 administers this certification.
2. Cisco CCVP – Certified Voice Professional: CCVP respondents earn $88,824 per year on average.
3. Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching: This routing and switching certification from Cisco can earn you an average annual salary of $93,500.
4. Cisco Certified Network Professional: The Cisco CCNP technical certification could be your ticket to a higher salary, as CCNP holders earn average salaries of $84,161 per year.
5. ITIL v2 – Foundations: This certification requires proficient IT Infrastructure Library service support and service delivery skills. ITIL v2 – Foundations Certification holders earn an average annual salary of $95,415.
6. ITIL v3 – ITIL Master: Computer professionals who hold this master technical certification earn $86,600 per year on average.
7. Microsoft Certified Solution Developer: MCSD certification holders earn an average annual salary of $84,522.
8. PMI Certified Associate in Project Management: This certification from the Project Management Institute can earn you a top salary. People who hold this certification earn an average annual salary of $101,103.
9. PMI Project Management Professional: The PMP certification can earn you an average salary of $101,695 per year. The Project Management Institute organization administers the certification, and there are many resources to help you prepare for the exam.
10. Red Hat Certified Engineer: If you get the RGCE certification you could start earning a salary in the neighborhood of $83,692, which is the average annual salary for certification holders.

Studying for these top paying computer certifications can be tough, and most people who have earned these titles have already had extensive experience in the industry. But with hard work and diligence you too can earn these certifications and take your career to the next level.

Institutions offering quality Computer Certification Programs include Academy of Computer Education, American Career Institute, Computer Systems Institute, Heald College, Herzing University, National American University, Netcom Information Technology, New Horizons – Computer Learning Center, Nextec Inc., Pennsylvania Institute of Technology and TechSkills

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The following basic terminologies are considered the top 25 terms all computer students should know before they even begin their studies:        

1. Bit: Binary data storage unit valued at either 1 or 0.
2. Byte: Eight data bits valued between zero and 255.
3. Word: Two data bytes or 16 data bits valued between zero and 16,535.
4. CD-ROM: A storage disk with approximately 640 megabytes of capacity.
5. CD-ROM Drive: Hardware used for reading and writing to CD-ROMs.
6. Storage Media: Magnetic devices that permanently store computer data.
7. File: Permanent storage structure for data kept on a hard drive or other permanent place.
8. Virus: Unauthorized programs that infect files or send themselves via email.
9. Vulnerability: When unauthorized access can be gained due to software errors.

10.  Security Flaw: When attackers gain unauthorized system access due to a software bug.

11.  Worm: Unwanted programs accessing computers via application/system vulnerabilities.

12.  Hardware: Physical parts of computer (case, disk drive, monitor, microprocessor, etc.).

13.  Software: Programs that run on a computer system.

14.  Firmware: Software that has been permanently written into a computer.

15.  ISP: Internet Service Provider.

16.  BIOS: The basic input/output system computers use to interface with devices.

17.  MIME: Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension.

18.  Boot: What happens when a computer is turned on and beginning to run.

19.  Crash: When computer software errors occur and programs fail to respond.

20.  Driver: Program that understands interfaced devices like printers and video cards.

21.  Network: Cables and other electrical components carrying data between computers.

22.  Operating System: A computer’s core software component.

23.  Parallel: Sending data over more than one line simultaneously.

24.  Serial: Sending data over a single line one bit at a time.

25.  Protocols: Communication methods and other standard Internet/networking functions.

These are the top 25 terms all computer students should know before they even begin their technical training. Most computer students know much more. In fact, everyone who uses a computer these days should understand these terms so they can be better informed about the important tool that is so integral to our daily lives.

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So you want to learn how to become a professional hacker. With some education, training and basic computer skills you can start a career as an ethical hacker for a large corporation or organization. Professional hackers protect computer systems from hazardous invasions by preventing malevolent hackers from being able to access the network system and do damage. This job requires dedication, formal training, initiative, motivation and continued self-education, but if you’re up for the task you can have a great career.

The first step to become a professional hacker is to learn about all the career options, and see where the job opportunities are. Get career information from banks, financial institutions, government organizations, military establishments and private companies, and see what the basic requirements are. You must decide whether you want to specialize in hardware or software, as they require different types of knowledge and training. It would be wise to analyze your strengths and weaknesses when making this decision.

Formal training starts with basic programming language knowledge such as C or Java, so you can read and write code. You’ll also need to learn the ins and outs of the Mac OS, Windows and UNIX operating systems if you haven’t already. Then you’ll be ready to take a professional course in ethical hacking or Internet security and begin doing your own work at home, so you can gain experience controlling situations with hardware and software. And most importantly, you must get professional certifications after completing your formal training, so you are able to apply for the best jobs and get hired. Throughout your career you will also need to continue your education and remain connected to the ethical hacking community to stay on top of your game.

The salaries for professional hackers can be quite lucrative. Security engineers earn an average of $69,018 to $101,541; security consultants make $47,166 to $90,798; Certified Ethical Hackers earn $56,930 to $80,981; security administrators make $64,964 to $85,424 and computer security specialists bring home an average of $63,250 to $102,310 per year. To find more information about how to become a professional hacker, seek out companies or agencies that already employ professional hackers, and speak with their human resources department.

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There are many benefits of choosing a computer career, particularly a career as a computer programmer. By choosing a computer career and getting the required training, you are setting yourself up for a professional life that can potentially be endlessly viable and extremely lucrative, with opportunities to work in locations all over the world. The biggest benefits of choosing a computer career are the career options, creativity/intellectual challenge, job outlook, opportunities for advancement and, last but not least, salary.

With a computer career such as a computer programming job, you will have the option to work in a variety of settings in various locations all over the world. You can work for a small and growing business or a huge multinational corporation, or you could even opt to work from home on a contract, consulting or freelance basis. There are job openings all over the world in big cities and small towns, and you can even use this as a stepping stone to other careers.

The ever-changing nature of the work and the opportunities for creative and intellectual stimulation inspire many people to choose a computer career. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and the game is always changing. The job outlook is excellent as well, with jobs in system design and publishing agencies displaying the highest growth potential. Software engineers also have excellent growth outlook, having been named at the top of CNN Money’s “Best Jobs: The Top 50” list. Computer and IT jobs were not far behind at number seven.

Computer careers also have great opportunities for advancement. If you start out as a computer programmer, you can advance to a mid-level programmer then who knows, you could become a software architect, senior developer, manager, director or even chief technology officer for a company. With experience and some additional training and certifications there are no limits to what you can do with your potential.

The salary is one of the most obvious benefits of choosing a computer career. The average salary for computer programmers is well over $60,000, and the top ten percent of computer programmers earn salaries in the neighborhood of $100,000. This could be you!

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If you’re wondering how to pay for computer schools, and you’re thinking you’ll never be able to afford the training necessary to get the best IT jobs, there may be options out there that you haven’t thought of yet. If you don’t have wealthy parents or a trust fund covering your computer school tuition, you can still get the college education you need to get ahead and begin a fulfilling computer technology career.

The first place one should always consider, though, when determining how to pay for computer schools are the resources within your own family. If you or your family members have assets that can be sold or otherwise used as collateral to provide the money needed to pay for tuition, books and supplies, this can be a good choice. If this is not an option, however, there are many government programs out there to help you pay for computer school or any other type of higher education. As long as you are attending an accredited institution, you should be able to qualify for loans and/or grants. A certain level of loan money is typically available to all students, and grants are often available for students from poor economic backgrounds or who have excelled in academics, arts or sports. You simply have to fill out a FAFSA form.

If the money within your family and from the government isn’t enough to fund your computer education, there may also be grants, scholarships and loans from private organizations. There are private institutions, as well as the computer schools themselves, which are interested in providing scholarships to students who qualify. Private loans are also available for students, although the interest rates and repayment terms may not be as good as they are with federal student loans.

There are many college funding solutions available to those who qualify and are wondering how to pay for computer schools. So be sure to apply for every opportunity you can find even if the chances of qualifying seem slim. You should definitely qualify for some loans with excellent terms, and you may be surprised at what free money is available. You may also be surprised at what resources you already have.

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