IT manager named US’s 3rd best job

By Phong Ngo February 22, 2026 | 08:10 pm PT

IT managers ranked third in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Jobs list, with a median salary of $171,200 and projected 15.2% employment growth through 2034.

According to U.S. News, IT managers guide organizations through complex technology systems and set both short- and long-term strategies for digital infrastructure and innovation.

The role offers the second-highest median pay among the top 10 jobs, behind pilots at $226,600.

It also ranked first in Best Technology Jobs and second in Best STEM Jobs.

Employment for IT managers is projected to grow 15.2% between 2024 and 2034, with about 101,600 new positions expected to open during the period, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A person works in front computers. Photo from Pexels

U.S. News assessed occupations using five weighted metrics: future prospects (30%), wage potential (25%), employment (20%), job safety and stability (15%), and work-life balance (10%).

Nurse practitioner topped the overall list for the third consecutive year, supported by strong demand, low unemployment, and projected job growth exceeding 40% by 2034. The role has a median salary of $129,200 and involves patient care, health assessments, test analysis, and prescribing medication.

Other technology roles in the top 10 included information security analyst, software developer, and data scientist, all offering six-figure salaries. Software developer is projected to have the largest number of openings, at 267,700 jobs.