These technicians repair and maintain computer equipment, monitor the workings of an information system and troubleshoot problems in hardware and software and in transmission.

SALARY: Overall median, about $30,000.

EDUCATION: Formal training needed; it is offered at community colleges, technical institutes and vocational schools. Colleges may also offer training.

These computer professionals concentrate on specific areas of information analysis and distribution. Data base specialists include those who analyze and specify the use of information within an application or program. Network specialists work on linking users. They include such job titles as WAN administrators; voice analysts who design networks that marry telephone equipment and network services are a new kind of WAN specialists. They maintain equipment and software, resolve communication problems and troubleshoot.

SALARY: Data base analysts, $53,600, median in Boston; WAN administrator, $46,800. Voice analysts, median of $48,600.

EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree in a major such as computer science; a graduate degree helps.

Technicians use scientific and engineering principles to help design, develop and care for electronic equipment such as computers. They help engineers and scientists in research and development or manufacturing. In research, they set up equipment and help with experiments. In manufacturing, they test and repair equipment and supervise production workers.

SALARY: Median for starting technicians, $16,590; experienced technicians, $34,530.

EDUCATION: Formal training at a technical school, community college or vocational school is preferred.

IS managers coordinate and oversee the integration and use of systems that transmit and manipulate information. Information systems may unite co-workers in satellite offices, may help design new products or may communicate with customers. These systems can include computer, network and telecommunications equipment. A manager determines how and in what way a system is deployed. IS managers work in many industries and must be familiar with technology.

SALARY: The average offer for manager of information systems graduates was in the mid-$40,000s. The median range for more experienced IS managers is from about $60,000 to more than $90,000.

EDUCATION: A college degree in computer science or engineering is necessary. Business courses help.

Programmers write, code and maintain the directions that control the work of the computer. Programmers' job descriptions are sometimes defined by the type of computer or system for which they write, such as a mainframe computer. The programmer may follow descriptions written by systems analysts, who add design and analysis to their job descriptions. In some cases, the analyst may program as well, becoming a programmer/analyst. Both break down into specific steps the function a computer must perform; they then write instructions in a programming language.

SALARY: Median starting salaries for junior programmers in the Boston area is in the low to upper $30,000s. Senior programmers have median salaries in the upper-$50,000s.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree is preferred, with knowledge of computer languages; a special field such as business is helpful. Graduate degrees are needed for some jobs.

These engineers devise the computer games that fascinate today's youth and the applications that make their parent's offices more efficient. Software engineers design the programs and languages in operating software that tell computer systems how to work. Software engineers also create more general programs, such as communications packages. They develop computer languages and forge ways for the computer to meet or interface with its user.

SALARY: Starting, mid-$40,000s in Boston; mid-$30,000s overall. Median for senior engineers in Boston, $67,000; overall, $48,000.

EDUCATION: A bachelor's degree is important, but this industry craves and rewards skill.

A systems analyst uses the power of the computer to solve business or scientific problems. The analyst first defines the problem and then reconfigures or designs a system to provide the solution. Analysts may work with management to explore a business problem and then explain the workings of the completed system to users. Analysts may be defined by their specific area of operation, such as business systems.

SALARY: Median range in the Boston area is from the mid-$40,000s to the mid-$50,000s.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement; graduate education is preferred for academic and research jobs.

As companies clamor to secure a presence online, they need a professional to manage it. Webmasters establish, monitor and maintain home pages on the World Wide Web. They assure that the information on these pages is current and that links among pages are maintained. Content developers, like editors, provide the information and graphics contained on a home page.

SALARY: Webmasters start at $25,000 to $50,000; content developers at $25,000 to $35,000.

EDUCATION: These are new jobs in a rapidly changing field. Computer science degrees don't hurt, but proven skills are musts.

DEMAND: Extraordinary right now.