If there's one thing we've learned in over twenty years as an IT school, it's that starting a career in IT doesn’t have to mean years of schooling or climbing a corporate ladder with no clear direction. With the right certifications and some hands-on training, you can jump into the field quickly—and into a job that pays well, too.
Whether you’re just finishing school, switching careers, or coming out of the military, the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area offers one of the hottest IT job markets in the country. Here's a breakdown of five high-demand entry-level IT roles, what they pay, and how you can get started.
1. Help Desk Technician (IT Support Specialist)
What You’ll Do:
You’ll be the first line of defense when users encounter tech issues, such as password resets, software installs, and basic troubleshooting.
Why It’s a Good Start:
It’s a great way to build foundational knowledge, learn how organizations operate, and get exposure to different technologies.
Average Salary in the DMV:
💰 $48,000 – $60,000/year
Recommended Certifications:
- CompTIA Network+
-
ITIL Foundation (optional but helpful)
Where You Can Grow:
Move to roles like Systems Administrator, IT Project Coordinator, or Network Support.
2. Network Technician / Network Support Specialist
What You’ll Do:
Support and maintain the organization's networks. You’ll help with setting up, testing, troubleshooting, and securing routers, switches, and connections.
Why It’s a Good Start:
It introduces you to the backbone of IT—networking—setting you up for careers in cybersecurity, cloud computing, or advanced network engineering.
Average Salary in the DMV:
💰 $55,000 – $68,000/year
Recommended Certifications:
-
CompTIA Network+
Where You Can Grow:
Network Administrator, Security Analyst, or even Cloud Architect down the road.
3. Junior Systems Administrator
What You’ll Do:
Support the servers, user accounts, and system configurations that keep a business running. You may also manage backups, patch updates, and Active Directory.
Why It’s a Good Start:
You’ll develop strong experience with enterprise tools and servers—skills that are always in demand.
Average Salary in the DMV:
💰 $58,000 – $72,000/year
Recommended Certifications:
Where You Can Grow:
Systems Engineer, DevOps Specialist, or Cloud Administrator.
4. Cybersecurity Analyst (Entry-Level / SOC Analyst Tier 1)
What You’ll Do:
Monitor networks for threats, analyze alerts, and support the incident response team to protect sensitive data and systems.
Why It’s a Good Start:
Cybersecurity is booming in the DMV thanks to the high concentration of federal agencies, contractors, and defense companies.
Average Salary in the DMV:
💰 $65,000 – $80,000/year
Recommended Certifications:
-
Cisco CyberOps Associate
Where You Can Grow:
Penetration Tester, Threat Hunter, or Cybersecurity Engineer.
5. Junior Cloud Support Technician
What You’ll Do:
Support cloud environments (like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud), troubleshoot cloud-based apps, and manage cloud configurations.
Why It’s a Good Start:
Cloud computing is no longer optional—most companies rely on it. Getting in early can fast-track your IT career.
Average Salary in the DMV:
💰 $62,000 – $75,000/year
Recommended Certifications:
-
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
-
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
-
CompTIA Linux+
Where You Can Grow:
Cloud Engineer, DevOps, or Cloud Security Analyst.
Take the First Step—Today
You don’t need a degree to break into IT—you need skills and certifications that employers trust. At TrainACE, we specialize in hands-on, instructor-led training that helps you get certified and job-ready faster.
Whether you're interested in CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, or Azure and AWS cloud certifications, we’ve got beginner-friendly classes to help you launch your career.
👉 Ready to get started? Check out our upcoming classes or connect with our team to build your personalized IT career path.
Leave Your Comment Here