Career Options and Jobs After BCA

Once you’ve earned your Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA), it's time to find out what jobs you are qualified for. The good news is that a BCA degree is versatile and allows you to join many entry-level careers, even without prior experience. Discover jobs after your BCA and what skills might help you earn even more money. 

What is a Bachelor of Computer Applications degree?

A Bachelor of Computer Application degree helps you understand the foundations of programming and computer development. In this three-year undergraduate programme, you may learn about web development, software or application development, blockchain, databases, networks, cybersecurity, business foundations, and programming languages like HTML, JavaScript, and Python.

You can also choose to specialise in a specific field of computer applications while earning your degree. Some choices include network systems, database management systems, systems analysis, or programming languages. 

BCA graduates are qualified for various entry-level IT and computer science careers. A BCA is also a great place to start for more advanced degrees in computer science or complementary fields of study. 

Jobs after BCA 

A Bachelor of Computer Application degree helps you qualify to start a career in many different areas of IT, such as: 

• Full stack developer

• Cybersecurity expert

• Network engineer

• Systems or IT analyst

• Budget analyst

• Financial consultant

• Delivery manager

• Financial analyst

• Software developer

• Technical analyst

• System administrator

• Programmer

• Tech support

• Software engineer

• IT consultant

• Software tester

• Web developer

• Web designer

With so many potential careers, a BCA is a versatile degree. In many careers, advancing to more senior roles only requires gaining experience on the job, giving you more flexibility for your educational goals. In other cases, you may need additional certifications or an advanced degree to get promoted to higher-paying positions. 

Below are seven potential careers you can qualify for with a BCA degree. All salary information is from Payscale as of May 2024. 

1. Systems analyst

Average annual salary: ₹6,50,358 [1]

An analyst works with data to help inform strategy, make decisions, and recommend changes. A systems analyst is responsible for designing and maintaining a business's computer systems. This could include the company’s network, database management, hardware and software decisions, and cybersecurity, among other roles. 

The average salary of a systems analyst in India is ₹6,57,806 [1]. The lowest 10 percent of reported salaries average ₹2,53,000, while the top 10 percent average ₹10,00,000. According to Payscale, systems analysts who have the following skills tend to earn more money:

• Node.js (127 percent higher pay)

• React.js (134 percent higher pay)

• System testing (81 percent higher pay)

• iOS (71 percent higher pay)

2. Full stack developer

Average annual salary: ₹7,16,150 [2]

Developing a website, application, video game, or software requires a metaphorical “stack” of skills. A full-stack developer knows the programming languages and procedures for designing the front-user end of the application and also understands frameworks, libraries, databases, and other components of the back end of the application. Full-stack developers work on websites, mobile apps, software, and more. 

The average salary of a full-stack developer in India is ₹7,15,872 [2]. The lowest 10 percent of reported salaries average ₹3,01,000, and the top 10 percent average ₹20,00,000. According to Payscale, full-stack developers who have the following skills tend to earn more money: 

• Java/J2EE (155 percent higher pay)

• Microsoft Azure (70 percent higher pay)

• .NET Core (58 percent higher pay)

• WebAPI (30 percent higher pay) 

3. Cybersecurity expert 

Average annual salary: ₹5,94,135 [3]

A cybersecurity expert oversees a company's network, computer systems, and data security. This could include managing current safety protocols and systems or researching, recommending, and implementing new systems. Cybersecurity experts may work for a company or on specific projects. 

The average salary of a cybersecurity expert in India is ₹5,94,135 [3]. The lowest 10 percent of reported salaries average ₹2,91,000, while the highest 10 percent average ₹20,00,000. According to Payscale, cybersecurity experts who have the following skills tend to earn more on average: 

• Splunk (103 percent higher salary)

• Security risk management (17 percent higher salary)

• Security policies and procedures (8 percent higher salary)

• Risk management (5 percent higher salary)

4. Network engineer, systems engineer

Average annual salary: ₹4,02,282 [4] and ₹3,97,954 [5]

Network engineers design and maintain network configurations for a company. They need to understand how the network will be used to create the most effective network possible, and then they need to maintain and troubleshoot the network when problems arise. A systems engineer does the same thing, but instead of a network, they could design and maintain any number of computer systems. 

Some of the skills that help network engineers earn more money are: 

• Load balancers (210 percent higher salary)

• Avaya (113 percent higher salary)

• VoIP (78 percent higher salary)

• Network design (73 percent higher salary) 

The average salary for a systems engineer in India is ₹3,97,954 [5]. Some of the skills that help systems engineers earn more money are: 

• Cloud computing (286 percent higher salary)

• Windows PowerShell (185 percent higher salary)

• VMware ESX (57 percent higher salary)

• Virtual machine (VM) (53 percent higher salary) 

5. Database administrator

Average annual salary: ₹5,68,871 [6]

Companies store a lot of information, such as purchase orders, customer log-in website login credentials, shipping information, or something else. A database administrator is responsible for the systems that store that data. This might include figuring out what the company needs its database to do, creating it, and implementing it. 

The average database administrator in India is paid ₹5,68,871 [6]. The lowest 10 percent of reported salaries average ₹2,67,000, and the top 10 percent average ₹10,00,000. According to Payscale, some skills that earn database administrators a higher wage include: 

• Sybase (154 percent higher salary)

• Amazon Web Services (95 percent higher salary)

• Transact-SQL (71 percent higher salary)

• Oracle eBusiness Suite (35 percent higher salary) 

6. Software tester

Average annual salary: ₹3,99,742 [7]

A software tester checks for bugs and ensures applications and other projects are working correctly. Sometimes, software testing is done by the same people developing the product, while other times, it’s a separate team within the development team.

The average software tester in India makes ₹3,99,742 [7]. The lowest 10 percent of reported salaries average ₹1,92,000, and the top 10 percent average ₹7,83,000. According to Payscale, some skills that earn software testers a higher wage include: 

• Python (136 percent higher salary)

• Quality assurance (70 percent higher salary)

• Agile (66 percent higher salary)

• Functional analysis (38 percent higher salary) 

7. Technical support professional

Average annual salary: ₹6,15,395 [8]

A technical support professional troubleshoots and maintains technical systems for a company. This role can work inside a company for a team or employees, or they can work with the general public in a call centre or other setting. Technical support professionals need to understand the systems they are troubleshooting, but they also need some experience with customer support. 

The average salary for a technical support professional in India is ₹6,15,395 [8]. The lowest 10 percent of reported salaries average ₹2,80,000, while the highest 10 percent average ₹20,00,000. According to Payscale, some of the skills that can help tech support professionals earn more money include: 

• Linux (113 percent higher salary)

• Production support (68 percent higher salary)

• Network management and administration (43 percent higher salary)

• Microsoft Active Directory (43 percent higher salary)

Next steps

A Bachelor of Computer Application degree is a great starting point for furthering your education in computer science. To further your education in this field, consider earning your Online Master of Computer Science from the University of Illinois on Coursera or enhancing your credentials with a Professional Certificate.