When asked about the Top 10 computer jobs today and their related salaries, professionals will tell you that jobs will cluster around four specialties (Applications, LAN, WAN, Database). Get the credentials and certificates acceptable for one of these Specialties, and you will be in the ballpark for the best IT jobs.

Related salaries typical in the Northeast-Mid-Atlantic, are as follows:

• Certified IT Developer (Applications) Level I-IV: $77,000 - $122,000

• Certified IT Administrator (WAN) Level I-IV: $77,000 - $122,000

• Certified IT Administrator (LAN) Level I-IV: $77,000 - $122,000

• Certified IT Administrator (Database) Level I-IV: $77,000 - $122,000

Obtain a FREE list of Acceptable Vendor/Professional Certificates for each at The list includes certificates accepted by most employers.

Consider going to the special breed of IT services and solutions firms to get the best jobs in the private sector. The website provides lists of these companies in electronic format. The National Association of Computer Consulting Businesses (NACCB) reports that, while the overall employment market will continue to deteriorate this year, these kinds of tech jobs are on the rise. These firms provide IT project management, IT staff augmentation, IT solutions, and IT consulting services to America's businesses.

Consider a government tech career. In U.S. Federal government agencies and departments (http://www.usajobs.gov/) there are (2) main tech job titles Information Technology Specialist and Information Technology Project Manager. With a Step System, from Step 1 to Step 9, the progression of Step Adjustments and Promotion opportunities from GS level to GS level adds up. Plus additional pay comes with Supervisory and Team Leader positions. The employer-paid pension is something you won't see in private. Related salaries range from:

• Information Specialist

  GS 12: $70,000 - 97,000

  GS 13: $83,000 - 108,000

  GS 14: $98,000 - 128,000

  GS 15: $115,000 - 149,000

• Information Project Manager

  GS 12: $70,000 - 97,000

  GS 13: $80,000 - 103,000

  GS 14: $98,000 - 128,000

  GS 15: $115,000 - 149,000

Each of our 50 U.S. States and Cities also offer a variety of tech jobs to create and support the systems and services of state and municipal government. Tech job titles and related salaries can be found in electronic format by downloading Government Jobs in America and Information Technology Jobs in America (2009). How to complete applications for these state and city tech jobs is included as well.