The following article discusses the career path of Information Specialist. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Information Specialists.
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Job Duties
Information specialists are responsible for managing secure files and data, analyzing it, speaking to stockholders about it, and training others to gather it and understand it. They help to coordinate various processing systems in the organization, ensuring they are all streamlined. They also create quarterly reports. Typically, these professionals work closely together with their supervisors to make sure all the company’s data is properly available and accurate. Additionally, they work together with colleagues, shareholders, and clients.
Other job duties of information specialists are:
- To create and provide information inside the company, sharing this with clients where needed
- To ensure all data is properly and securely maintained
- To ensure the information needs of the organization are being met
- To have standard operating processing in place in terms of distributing and writing information and reports
Where We Work
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 198,800 computer network support specialists in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:
- Computer systems design and related services: 18%
- Wired telecommunications carriers: 10%
- Finance and insurance: 8%
- Management of companies and enterprises: 6%
- Data processing, hosting, and related services: 4%
Meanwhile, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also classified computer user support specialists as information specialists. There were 636,600 of those specialists in 2016, working in:
- Computer systems design and related services: 21%
- Educational services; state, local, and private: 12%
- Management of companies and enterprises: 5%
- Temporary help services: 4%
- Software publishers: 3%
How to Become
An information specialist is usually required to hold a bachelor’s degree at least in a field related to information. They are also expected to have significant work experience.
Education Requirements
Exact education requirements vary depending on the type of information the information specialists works with as part of their role. However, a bachelor’s degree is commonly required. Degrees relating to computer systems, computer sciences, information security, and other such fields are most often looked for. In some occasions, someone only holds an associate’s degree and then grows into the position of information specialist through internal promotions.
Of key importance is that an information specialist is committed to lifelong learning. Computerized systems change incredibly rapidly, and they must be able to remain current. While not necessarily required, many also choose to become certified in specific systems that they use. These are often offered through the vendors of the information systems that are used. Certifications are usually only valid for a limited amount of time and must be maintained through continuous education.
Traits & Qualities
The most effective information specialists have the following traits to some degree or other:
- Excellent customer service skills
- Ability to listen and hear what is said between the lines
- Strong problem solving skills
- Excellent speaking skills, being able to convey technical information in layman’s terms
- Strong writing skills to ensure information is properly understood across the organization
- Strong data analysis skills
- Excellent multitasker
- Excellent understanding of statistics and mathematics
- Being able to work under minimal levels of supervision, while being a team player at the same time.
Minimum Education
Bachelor’s Degree
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$14,000
$148,000
The following section lists Information Specialist salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Massachusetts had the largest quoted salary of $89,604 while Illinois had the smallest quoted salary of $25,728.
According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Information Specialist. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.
| Employer Name | Location | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| US General Services Administration Information Specialist | DC | $127,697 |
| Placement: Permanent Full-Time Position Information Specialist | New Jersey | $120,000 |
| CyberCoders Information Specialist | Ohio | $118,367 |
| Innovative Management Solutions Information Specialist | Pennsylvania | $110,000 |
| Clinical Management Consultants Information Specialist | California | $108,991 |
| Department of Labor Information Specialist | DC | $104,610 |
| Department Of Housing And Urban Development Information Specialist | DC | $101,009 |
| Food and Drug Administration Information Specialist | Maryland | $98,796 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs Information Specialist | DC | $96,648 |
| Department of Health and Human Services Information Specialist | DC | $96,599 |
| Department of Homeland Security Information Specialist | DC | $91,521 |
| U.S. Department of Commerce Information Specialist | Virginia | $90,889 |
| Anheuser-Busch Information Specialist | Missouri | $89,247 |
| Federal Government Jobs Information Specialist | Maryland | $87,620 |
| Laguna Source Information Specialist | Maryland | $86,621 |
| FBI Information Specialist | Virginia | $86,542 |
Learn More
| Career Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Marketing Analyst | $61,822 |
| Finance Officer | $61,442 |
| Operations Analyst | $60,651 |
| Advertising Manager | $59,245 |
| Logistics Analyst | $58,389 |
| Food Service Director | $55,529 |
| Purchasing Buyer | $55,296 |
| Human Resources Generalist | $54,497 |
| Marketing Specialist | $52,815 |
| Logistics Supervisor | $52,796 |
