The Highest Paying IT Careers for 2013/2014

According to recent reports, IT job growth is up 43 percent since 2012. Find out what jobs are commanding the highest pay within the ever-competitive IT job market.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the U.S. added more than 18,200 jobs. That's good news for IT pros looking to make a change.

So what roles are paying the most in 2013? Mondo, an IT staffing firm, reports that it has seen steady growth year-over-year and that's equating to six figure salaries for the roles outlined here. IT salaries are, says Mondo founder and CEO Michael Kirven, "trending upward across the board. Each guide shows the previous year's data over the current year and whether trending upward or flat. Very little has trended down in the technology space."

CIO - Chief Information Officer

 Salary: $195,000-230,000

Chief Information Officer (CIO) is a job title commonly given to the person in an enterprise responsible for the information technology and computer systems that support enterprise goals.

As information technology and systems have become more important, the CIO has come to be viewed in many organizations as a key contributor in formulating strategic goals. In many companies, the CIO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In some companies, the CIO sits on the executive board. Typically, the CIO in a large enterprise delegates technical decisions to employees more familiar with details. Usually, a CIO proposes the information technology an enterprise will need to achieve its goals and then works within a budget to implement the plan.

Remember the days proclaiming "the death of the CIO role?" Those days are long gone. CIOs and CTOs are again viewed as not only necessary, but highly desired as a strategic partner within the C Suite, according to experts. Technology is a major competitive differentiator and having a seasoned, forward-thinking CTO or CIO is a game changer.

"The CIO is more of a business strategist and technology visionary, a talent manager and change agent. They tend to focus on information, insight and innovation, influence along with a few traditional 'I's such as: integration, infrastructure, interface., etc.," says Mondo founder and CEO Michael Kirven.