Technology & IT · Pittsburgh, PA
Every core IT role in the Pittsburgh metro pays below the U.S. median, yet computer systems analysts are 41% more concentrated here than nationally, most of them building systems for banks, insurers and hospitals. Careerscape fills those roles remotely: we are a national agency organized by industry, so a Pittsburgh search goes straight to technology specialists.
Metro wages
BLS May 2025 estimates for the Pittsburgh, PA metro, all employers. A location quotient above 1 means the role makes up a bigger share of local jobs than it does nationally.
| Occupation | Jobs in metro | Median pay · vs. U.S. | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | 10,320 | $124,500−8% | 0.85 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 830 | $82,900−21% | 0.62 |
| Information Security Analysts | 1,130 | $103,630−20% | 0.83 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | 1,570 | $80,440−19% | 0.70 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | 5,230 | $98,550−7% | 1.41 |
| Data Scientists | 2,270 | $96,670−20% | 1.21 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 5,290 | $159,090−9% | 1.10 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | 5,270 | $59,010−5% | 1.03 |
| Computer Network Architects | 1,110 | $123,410−8% | 0.86 |
| Database Administrators | 470 | $102,070−2% | 0.94 |
| Web Developers | 310 | $82,560−11% | 0.63 |
The discount is not even. Database administrators ($102,070) and computer user support specialists ($59,010) are within 5% of the national median. Information security analysts ($103,630), data scientists ($96,670), QA analysts and testers ($82,900) and network and systems administrators ($80,440) all sit about 19% to 21% below it. Computer systems analysts are the metro's deepest IT pool, at an LQ of 1.41 and 5,230 jobs. Jobs and median annual pay for the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, all employers, from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025). “Vs. U.S.” compares with the national median. Concentration is the BLS location quotient: above 1.0 means the job makes up a bigger share of local employment than it does nationally.
Who employs IT
Robotics gets the headlines, but most Pittsburgh tech workers build and run systems for large regulated employers. Allegheny County's biggest private employers include UPMC and its health plan, PNC, BNY and Highmark Health, alongside the universities.
PNC has been growing: it closed its $4.1 billion purchase of Colorado's FirstBank on January 5, 2026, which means integration work for its technology teams. Highmark Health, headquartered downtown at Fifth Avenue Place, combines the Highmark insurer with Allegheny Health Network. That mix explains the BLS profile: lots of computer systems analysts, who translate business processes into system requirements, and a deeper-than-average data science bench, at an LQ of 1.21.
The research side adds a federal layer. Carnegie Mellon administers the Software Engineering Institute, a Defense Department-sponsored federally funded research and development center founded in 1984 and home to the CERT Coordination Center. For the robotics and autonomy market, see our Pittsburgh staffing page; this page sticks to enterprise IT.
Screening rules
Pittsburgh's largest IT employers are insured banks and HIPAA-covered health organizations. Two federal rules reach IT staff there. General information, not legal advice.
| Rule | Who it covers | What it means for an IT hire |
|---|---|---|
| Section 19, Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 CFR 303, Subpart L) | Employees and other institution-affiliated parties of insured banks; independent contractors only if they influence or control the bank's management or affairs | A person with a covered offense (dishonesty, breach of trust, money laundering) needs prior written FDIC consent, unless an exception applies |
| Section 19 exclusions | Offenses 7 or more years old (with limits), and de minimis offenses meeting the rule's criteria | Many older or minor records need no application, so screen against the rule, not a blanket policy |
| HIPAA Security Rule, 45 CFR 164.308(a)(3) | Hospitals, health plans and their business associates | Workforce clearance procedures and access termination for anyone with access to electronic protected health information |
| HIPAA Security Rule, 45 CFR 164.308(a)(5) | Same entities, whole workforce | Security awareness and training for every new IT hire, including contractors placed on site |
The bank's compliance team decides how Section 19 applies to a given role; ask early so a conditional offer does not stall. Source: eCFR, 12 CFR Part 303 Subpart L; 45 CFR Part 164 Subpart C.
How it works
Careerscape's technology recruiters work from a national, remote team. This is the sequence for a typical Pittsburgh search.
We confirm the role, the stack and the work arrangement, then compare your band with the Pittsburgh medians above and our business analyst or data scientist salary pages.
Deep local pools, such as systems analysts, can usually stay local. Thin ones, such as QA testers (LQ 0.62) and web developers (LQ 0.63), may need hybrid or remote terms to reach enough candidates.
For bank and health plan roles we ask early about background-check readiness and prior experience with regulated data, so Section 19 or HIPAA steps don't surprise anyone at offer stage.
You get a pre-screened shortlist, not a pile of resumes, in a private Employer Portal where you request interviews and leave feedback.
We help close the offer. For contract-to-hire roles, you decide on conversion after seeing the person's work on your systems.
Advice
What the BLS data suggests for enterprise IT teams in the metro.
At an LQ of 1.41, computer systems analysts are the metro's deepest IT pool. Expect candidates with banking, insurance and health claims experience.
Data scientists here earn a $96,670 median against $120,230 nationally. Remote employers paying national rates can outbid a local offer, so review your data science bands before you post.
Information security analysts are below the national share (LQ 0.83), and the metro has 1,130 of them. Consider contract staffing to cover the seat while a permanent search runs.
Bank mergers and system migrations create fixed-length demand for developers, data engineers and testers. Contract-to-hire keeps the best of them after go-live.
Computer and information systems managers earn a $159,090 median here against $175,140 nationally. For CIO and director roles, executive search can reach candidates who would relocate for the cost of living.
Request talent
Tell us the role, the systems and any bank or health-data screening the job requires.
Looking for a job instead? Submit your resume or browse open jobs.
FAQ
Yes, for every core IT role in the BLS May 2025 data. Software developers earn a $124,500 median in the Pittsburgh metro against $135,980 nationally, and information security analysts $103,630 against $129,180. The gap is smallest for database administrators and support specialists. Check ranges by level in our software engineer salary guide.
Pennsylvania does not publish IT headcounts by company. The largest employers of IT staff are the big regulated organizations: UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, PNC, BNY and Highmark Health with Allegheny Health Network, plus Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh. They are named here as market context only, not as clients.
It depends. Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act covers employees and other institution-affiliated parties of insured banks. Under the FDIC's rule, independent contractors are generally outside it unless they influence or control the bank's management or affairs. Banks often screen contract staff anyway, so ask the bank's compliance team before the search starts.
Careerscape works without local offices: we are a national recruiting agency with a remote team. Our technology recruiters specialize by industry and recruit for Pittsburgh employers through direct hire, contract, contract-to-hire, temporary staffing, executive search and RPO. Job seekers can browse open jobs; the service is free for them and confidential.
Based on BLS location quotients, QA analysts and testers (0.62), web developers (0.63) and network and computer systems administrators (0.70) are the thinnest pools in the metro. Software developers (0.85) and information security analysts (0.83) are also below the national share. Computer systems analysts (1.41) and data scientists (1.21) are deeper than average.
Send us the role and your pay band. We will tell you how it compares with the metro and return a pre-screened shortlist.
How can we help?
We got it!
A recruiter will reach out shortly.
Application Submitted!
Thank you for applying. We'll review your application and get back to you soon.