IT Support vs Data Analytics (2026)
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Data analytics pays a median of $91,290 a year compared to $61,550 for IT support, according to May 2024 BLS data, and the two careers are moving in opposite directions through 2034. Data analytics employment is projected to grow 21%, while IT support is projected to decline 3%. The work itself is genuinely different. IT support keeps systems and users running; data analytics turns business data into decisions. This guide covers what each role does, what training each requires, what the BLS numbers actually show, and how to decide which path fits.
A.A. in Information Systems — Liberty University
- Leads to: associate-level roles in IT support, business technology, and systems analysis
- Format: Online, 8-week course format
- Transfer: Up to 75% of an undergraduate degree can be transferred in
- Accreditation: Liberty is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
B.S. in Information Technology — Herzing University
- Trains for: IT roles spanning support, network administration, and systems administration
- Format: 100% online, 120-credit program
- Coursework: Operating systems, network administration, cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, and data management
- Transfer: Up to 90 approved credits accepted
- Accreditation: Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
A.S. in Data Analytics — Southern New Hampshire University
- Builds toward: entry-level data analytics roles and continued study at the bachelor's level
- Format: Online, 24/7 access
- Transfer: All 60 credits applicable to SNHU's B.S. in Data Analytics; up to 45 transfer credits accepted into the associate program
- Coursework: Role of data analysis in organizations, data collection, data policy and decision-making, emerging technologies and big data, and data validation
B.S. in Data Analytics — Colorado Christian University
- Builds toward: data analyst, business analyst, and operations analyst roles
- Format: Online
- Coursework: Quantitative research methods, application development, theoretical practice for data design, data management, and decision-focused data analysis
Data Science — Southern Careers Institute
- Prepares students for: entry-level data science and analytics roles
- Format: Online
- Coursework: Statistics, computer programming, data visualization, data modeling, big data, and machine learning
Compare these and other tech training programs on Dreambound to find the credential level, schedule, and format that match your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pays more, data analytics or IT support?
Data analytics pays more. BLS reports a May 2024 median annual wage of $91,290 for data analytics work compared to $61,550 for IT support, a $29,740 wage gap at the median or roughly 48% more for data analytics. The gap typically widens at senior levels, where senior analysts and analytics managers can earn well above the median.
Is a data analyst an IT position?
Not exactly. Data analyst roles sit at the intersection of IT, business, and statistics, and BLS classifies operations research analysts under the Math occupational group rather than Computer and Information Technology. Data analysts use IT systems and often work closely with IT and data engineering teams, but the work is typically owned by business, finance, marketing, or operations functions rather than the IT department itself. The exception is data analytics roles embedded in IT, such as security analytics or infrastructure analytics, which sit inside IT organizations.
Can a non-IT person become a data analyst?
Yes, and many data analysts come from non-IT backgrounds including finance, marketing, operations, healthcare, and education. The skills that matter most are SQL, comfort with spreadsheets and statistics, a visualization tool like Power BI or Tableau, and the ability to translate business questions into queries. A relevant associate or bachelor's degree helps, but tool fluency and a portfolio of analyses against real datasets often carry equal weight in entry-level hiring.
Is IT support a dead-end career given the BLS decline projection?
The BLS projects a 3% decline for computer support specialists from 2024 to 2034, but that's the broad category, not every IT role. Specialized adjacent roles in cybersecurity, network architecture, cloud administration, and DevOps support are projected to grow. IT support remains a viable starting point that can branch into those higher-demand specialties, particularly when paired with certifications like CompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA, or AWS or Azure cloud credentials. You can browse IT support training programs on Dreambound that prepare students for these certifications.
Choosing Between IT Support and Data Analytics
The clearest reason to pay attention to this comparison is the inversion in the BLS outlook. IT support and data analytics aren't just two tech careers with different pay; they're two tech careers moving in opposite directions through 2034. That doesn't make IT support the wrong starting point, especially for someone who wants shorter training and immediate technical work, but it does mean the long-term landscape favors building toward the analytics side, whether through a direct path or through a transition later.
The decision usually comes down to whether you'd rather solve a user's problem today or shape a leadership team's decision next quarter. Compare IT support and data analytics training programs on Dreambound to find a credential level, format, and schedule that match where you want to start.
