Information technology (IT) professionals don't always get the best rap.

Employe
es grumble about the help desk, how IT workers think they're so smart -- heck, "
IT nerd" is even a searchable phrase on the Internet.
But, maybe it's time to cut these folks some slack.
Imagine the number of phone calls and e-mails IT probably gets per day, from wor
kers whining that this isn't working and neither is that. Consider their respons
ibility for keeping databases, phone lines, computers and security programs for
entire companies up and running.
And you really want to nag them for being smart? Suit yourself -- but the next t
ime you poke fun at the techies, consider that many IT workers have average sala
ries well into the six figures, according to the "2010 Robert Half Technology Sa
lary Guide."
Thinking about a career in technology? Here are the top 10 jobs in IT, based on
salary, according to the salary guide.
1. Chief information officer
What they do*: Develop and direct firm's overall IT strategy.
What you need**: A bachelor's degree in computer science (master's is preferred)
plus at least 10 years of managerial experience.
Job function: Administration
Salary range: $130,250 - $210,500
2. Chief technology officer
What they do: Set the firm's overall IT standards and practices, make technology
recommendations to firm's senior management.
What you need: A computer science degree and at least seven years of IT manageme
nt experience.
Job function: Administration
Salary range: $111,750 - $174,250
3. Vice president of information technology
What they do: Manage day-to-day operations of the IT department, work with senio
r management to develop systems strategy.
What you need: Bachelor's degree in computer science plus five to 10 years of ex
perience.
Job function: Administration
Salary range: $116,500 - $169,000
4. Chief security officer
What they do: Develop and implement long-term security strategy.
What you need: Bachelor's degree in information systems, plus 10 or more years o
f work experience, with a focus on information security.
Job function: Administration
Salary range: $107,000 - $160,250
5. Director, consulting
What they do: Work with clients to establish systems goals and strategy.
What you need: Employer's prefer candidates have an MBA or another relevant mast
er's degree, plus five to 10 years of additional business experience.
Job function: Consulting and systems integration
Salary range: $95,750 - $145,000
6. Information systems security manager
What they do: Protect information systems from internal and external breaches.
What you need: Bachelor's degree in a computer-related field, plus five to 7 yea
rs of security-related work experience.
Job function: Security
Salary range: $96,500 - $130,750
7. Practice manager, systems integration
What they do: Develop scope of consulting projects.
What you need: Bachelor's degree in business or computer science, plus 10 years
of IT experience.
Job function: Consulting and systems integration
Salary range: $96,000 - $130,000
8. Data warehouse manager
What they do: Develops and maintains data warehouse systems
What you need: Bachelor's degree in computer science, plus at least five years o
f warehousing experience.
Job function: Data/database administration
Salary range: $92,250 - $124,500
9. Information technology manager
What they do: Analyze workflow, implement and monitor new projects and performan
ce standards.
What you need: Bachelor's degree in an IT-related field, and at least five years
of IT experience.
Job function: Administration
Salary range: $85,750 - $124,250
10. Network architect
What they do: Plan, design and execute corporate data and voice networks.
What you need: Bachelor's degree in a computer-related field, plus seven years o
f experience with network operating systems.
Job function: Networking
Salary range: $87,750 - $122,750
* Job descriptions are from "Glossary of Job Descriptions for Information Techno
logy," by Robert Half Technology
** Educational requirements are from "Glossary of Job Descriptions for Informati
on Technology," by Robert Half Technology