Information Specialist Salary

By Henry R. Steele - January 8, 2018
Reading Time: 11 minutes

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.

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

    National Salary

    The national average salary estimate for Information Specialist was $56,877. This number is estimated from over 492,724 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $29.62 and monthly of $4,740.

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    $14,000

    $148,000

    Salary Distribution

    Salary by State

    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.

    Alabama Louisiana New York
    Arkansas Massachusetts Ohio
    Arizona Maryland Oklahoma
    California Maine Oregon
    Colorado Michigan Pennsylvania
    Connecticut Minnesota South Carolina
    DC Missouri South Dakota
    Florida Mississippi Tennessee
    Georgia Montana Texas
    Iowa North Carolina Utah
    Idaho North Dakota Virginia
    Illinois Nebraska Washington
    Indiana New Jersey Wisconsin
    Kansas New Mexico West Virginia
    Kentucky Nevada Wyoming
    Alabama – $48,431 Rank: 21st

    The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Federal Government Jobs, Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Army, and BACTES Imaging Solutions.

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    • Most Reported
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    $14,000

    $112,000

    Salary Distribution
    Arkansas – $42,299 Rank: 33rd

    The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Arkansas Department of Health.

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    • Most Reported
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    $14,000

    $92,000

    Salary Distribution
    Arizona – $28,608 Rank: 43rd

    The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior, Maricopa County, Maricopa County, AZ, and Yuma Union High School District.

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    • Most Reported
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    $7.25

    $27.60

    Salary Distribution
    California – $77,593 Rank: 3rd

    The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Los Angeles World Airports, Department of Veterans Affairs, West Basin Municipal Water District, and County of Alameda.

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    $14,000

    $215,000

    Salary Distribution
    Colorado – $53,013 Rank: 15th

    The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, Adecco, and AppleOne.

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    • Most Reported
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    $14,000

    $127,000

    Salary Distribution
    Connecticut – $66,499 Rank: 8th

    The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs.

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    $14,000

    $181,000

    Salary Distribution
    DC – $84,573 Rank: 2nd

    The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, and USAJOBS.

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    • Most Reported
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    $19,000

    $197,000

    Salary Distribution
    Florida – $41,276 Rank: 34th

    The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Miami Dade College, Department of Veterans Affairs, CyberCoders, and U.S. Air Force.

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    $14,000

    $106,000

    Salary Distribution
    Georgia – $42,331 Rank: 32nd

    The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Army, and Georgia State University.

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    $14,000

    $107,000

    Salary Distribution
    Iowa – $54,904 Rank: 12th

    The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cr Area Convention Bureau.

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    • Most Reported
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    $14,000

    $124,000

    Salary Distribution
    Idaho – $32,275 Rank: 39th

    The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like IDAHO DEPT. OF LABOR.

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    • Most Reported
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    $7.25

    $34.85

    Salary Distribution
    Illinois – $25,728 Rank: 45th

    The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like S & S Lab Management, Inc., U.S. Army, RSNA, and Allsup.

    • Most Reported
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    $7.25

    $36.65

    Salary Distribution
    Indiana – $43,887 Rank: 28th

    The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mindlance and State of Indiana.

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    • Most Reported
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    $14,000

    $108,000

    Salary Distribution
    Kansas – $49,790 Rank: 19th

    The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Johnson County Kansas.

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    • Most Reported
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    $14,000

    $114,000

    Salary Distribution
    Kentucky – $43,263 Rank: 31st

    The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, University of Kentucky, Humana, and OfficeTeam.

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    • Most Reported
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    $14,000

    $94,000

    Salary Distribution
    Louisiana – $45,483 Rank: 26th

    The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior, Local Non-Profit, and Lafayette General Medical Center.

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    • Most Reported
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    $14,000

    $104,000

    Salary Distribution
    Massachusetts – $89,604 Rank: 1st

    The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Select Source International, ELDER SERVICES OF THE MERRIMACK VALLEY, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Manpower.

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    $14,000

    $253,000

    Salary Distribution
    Maryland – $66,895 Rank: 7th

    The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Government Jobs, and Laguna Source.

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    $17,000

    $148,000

    Salary Distribution
    Maine – $43,620 Rank: 29th

    The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Maine and State of Maine Office of Information Technology.

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    $14,000

    $89,000

    Salary Distribution
    Michigan – $34,214 Rank: 36th

    The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cass County Board of Commissioners, AppleOne, The University of Michigan, and S & S Professional Services.

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    $7.25

    $39.85

    Salary Distribution
    Minnesota – $31,353 Rank: 40th

    The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Minnesota and Express Employment Professionals.

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    $7.25

    $33.45

    Salary Distribution
    Missouri – $29,203 Rank: 42nd

    The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Anheuser-Busch, Department of Homeland Security, CITY OF JEFFERSON, and Volt.

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    $7.25

    $32.45

    Salary Distribution
    Mississippi – $50,654 Rank: 18th

    The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army.

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    $14,000

    $113,000

    Salary Distribution
    Montana – $54,677 Rank: 13th

    The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior.

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    $21,000

    $102,000

    Salary Distribution
    North Carolina – $45,226 Rank: 27th

    The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like East Carolina University, U.S. Army, VCA Animal Hospital, and Forsyth County.

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    $14,000

    $107,000

    Salary Distribution
    North Dakota – $48,175 Rank: 23rd

    The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, and AA Temps/Ardelle Financial.

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    $18,000

    $91,000

    Salary Distribution
    Nebraska – $56,041 Rank: 11th

    The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Nebraska.

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    $15,000

    $122,000

    Salary Distribution
    New Jersey – $73,041 Rank: 5th

    The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Rutgers University, Novartis, Select Source International Pvt Ltd, and Aerotek.

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    $17,000

    $166,000

    Salary Distribution
    New Mexico – $46,724 Rank: 25th

    The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clovis Community College and University of New Mexico.

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    $14,000

    $98,000

    Salary Distribution
    Nevada – $48,241 Rank: 22nd

    The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RSCONSULTING SERVICES, Department of the Interior, and Wellness Green Products – Work From Home.

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    $14,000

    $139,000

    Salary Distribution
    New York – $73,514 Rank: 4th

    The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, Ithaca College, Capital Region BOCES, and New York City Department of Education.

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    $16,000

    $173,000

    Salary Distribution
    Ohio – $36,441 Rank: 35th

    The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Southern State Community College, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ohio State University, and Southwest General Health Center.

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    $7.25

    $44.25

    Salary Distribution
    Oklahoma – $53,005 Rank: 16th

    The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Western Farmers Electric Coop, U.S. Army, and C.H. Robinson.

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    $14,000

    $119,000

    Salary Distribution
    Oregon – $63,852 Rank: 9th

    The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior, State of Oregon, Asante, and Rogue Valley Medical Center.

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    $2,100

    $9,900

    Salary Distribution
    Pennsylvania – $49,328 Rank: 20th

    The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Veterans Affairs, JobConnection Services, RecordFx, and Select Source International.

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    $14,000

    $127,000

    Salary Distribution
    South Carolina – $32,376 Rank: 38th

    The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of South Carolina and Medical University of South Carolina.

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    $14,000

    $85,000

    Salary Distribution
    South Dakota – $62,550 Rank: 10th

    The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Health and Human Services and Indian Health Service.

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    $22,000

    $123,000

    Salary Distribution
    Tennessee – $48,019 Rank: 24th

    The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ober Gatlinburg, Manpower, Adecco, and Randstad Professionals.

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    $7.25

    $65.60

    Salary Distribution
    Texas – $43,449 Rank: 30th

    The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Texas Medical Branch, United States Department Of Defense, Electronic Data Systems, and U.S. Army.

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    $14,000

    $117,000

    Salary Distribution
    Utah – $26,380 Rank: 44th

    The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Intermountain Healthcare, Intermountain Home Care, United Way of Salt Lake, and Unified Police Department.

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    $7.25

    $30.10

    Salary Distribution
    Virginia – $68,523 Rank: 6th

    The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and Department of Justice.

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    $17,000

    $153,000

    Salary Distribution
    Washington – $30,950 Rank: 41st

    The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Washington, Washington State Government, University Of Washington, and SE WA AGING & LONG TERM CARE.

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    $8.15

    $25.90

    Salary Distribution
    Wisconsin – $32,390 Rank: 37th

    The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin–Madison, DEN Services Inc, and Spherion.

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    $7.25

    $34.20

    Salary Distribution
    West Virginia – $51,418 Rank: 17th

    The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior and U.S. Army.

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    $14,000

    $125,000

    Salary Distribution
    Wyoming – $53,079 Rank: 14th

    The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior and University of Wyoming.

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    $19,000

    $103,000

    Salary Distribution

    Top 20 National Employers

    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

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Henry R. Steele
Henry R. Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.Follow on Twitter.com

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