Career Outlook

The 2001-2002 edition of Emerging and Evolving Occupations in Texas, published by Career Development Resources, has indicated that Computer Support Technicians, Computer Support Specialists, and Data Processing Equipment Repairers to be emerging and evolving occupations in Texas.

The Occupations Information Network shows that in 1998 there were 150 occupations in Cameron County, the projection is that by the 2008 there will be an increase to 234 occupations an increase of 56%. Projections also indicate occupations within this field to increase by 67.8%, in the state of Texas, by the year 2008. This equals to 57,483 occupations in the state of Texas alone. Nationwide, increases in this area are projected to be over 100% totaling 868,674 occupations by the year 2008.

Employers:

Employers for this field are as follows:

Industries	Occupations
Computer Programming, Data Processing and other Computer related services	27.6%
Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies	12.1%
Computer and Office Equipment	7.9%
College, Universities, Professional Schools and Junior Colleges	3.6%
Telephone Communications	2.9%
Local Government, Except Education	2.6%
Engineering, Architectural and Surveying Services	2.1%

Salaries:

Based on the Texas 2000 Occupational Employment Statistics for a Computer Support Specialist, the Annual Wage was $41,230 and the Median Wage was $17.49 per hour. (Source: Texas Workforce Commission/Labor Market Information Department)

An example of the type of position a graduate from CSMT can obtain is Computer Support Specialist .