With the overwhelming rate of change in all the areas of IT, the skills you have today are outdated tomorrow, so the path you choose can be both exciting and daunting.

And the rise of e-everything the need for IT floods every corner of our lives. Technology has revolutionized communications, computing, productivity, and has had a profound effect the quality of human life.

So much of our lives depend on technology, which means there’s a variety of employment areas to choose from, such as web design, software development, software testing, programming, systems administration, networking, and more. Even jobs outside the IT sector require IT skills.

If you’re contemplating breaking in, consider a few of the highest paid entry level IT jobs as your springboard into an exciting and rewarding career.

The following pay scales are according to the salary.com national averages for the Chicago, Illinois area.

#1 - A Database Administrator with a degree in Computer Science or Business Administration can expect a starting salary of $80,000.

Skills they bring to the table: They are experienced with databases and operating systems. They have knowledge of different hardware components and server environments and have the ability to think analytically.

#2 - An ERP Analyst at the entry level can expect a pay rate of $75,000. Skills they bring to the table: They assist with developing and maintaining the Enterprise Resource Planning program. Assists with the development and maintenance of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) program. They are able to customize the Enterprise systems to fit with applications and they also ensure the system meets the needs of the company.

#3 - A Content Engineer can expect a starting salary of $80,000. What skills they bring to the table: Content Engineers develop and design interfaces, pages, and tools to navigate websites. They also set code standards, review specifications, deliver estimates on development projects.

#4 - A Web Software Developer with a bachelor’s degree can expect an average starting salary of $75,000. Skills they bring to the table: The incumbent probably has a degree in Computer Science or Software engineering and the knowledge of several programming languages such as SQL, HTML, or JavaScript.

#5 - A Java Developer with a degree can expect a starting salary range of $70,000 Skills they bring to the table: They have the skill to design, develop, and implement web-based Java applications. They understand the concept of life cycles and are able to create and implement design documents.

#6 - A Project Engineer with a Bachelor’s degree can expect a starting salary range of $70,000 per year. What skills they bring to the table: They plan and facilitate IT engineering projects, from design to budget to schedules. They monitor to ensure compliance of policies and controls.

#7 - An Applications Systems Analyst with a degree or diploma in Computer Science, Business Administration, or Information Systems, can expect a starting salary of $60,000. Skills they bring to the table: They have the knowledge of common concepts, practices, and procedures. They are analytical, and up-to-date with current standards.

#8 - A Programmer with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science can expect a starting salary of $60,000. Skills they bring to the table: A programmer has the ability to program in a variety of languages, and is able to keep skills current and up to date as the industry grows and moves forward. They are excellent critical thinkers and problem solvers.

#9 - A Test Engineer with a degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science can expect a salary of $55,000 per year. What skills they bring to the table: A Test Engineer has knowledge of operating systems, programming languages, and the ability to use testing tools.

They are also clear communicators that are able to present their thoughts using simple language that appeals to both their technical colleagues and the client.

#10 - A Hardware Engineer with a degree or Masters in Computer Engineering can expect a starting salary of $55,000. What skills they bring to the table: A Hardware Engineer analyzes the development and implementation of hardware. They have extensive knowledge in computer components including circuits, circuit boards, processors, chips…etc. They are excellent trouble shooters and problem solvers.

What determines where you fall in the wide salary range? Training, qualifications, and prior experience all play a part. Working for a large corporation versus a smaller mom and pop shop will also play a factor in your starting salary.

Want the big ticket jobs? A bachelor’s degree and obtaining IT certifications are excellent ideas because earnings increase and education levels rise.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, between 1980 and 2005 "young adults with at least a employees aged 25-34 with a high school diploma or GED had a median income of $29,600, while those with a bachelor’s degree or higher earned $48,400.