In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, the demand for top tech talent has reached unprecedented levels. From Silicon Valley giants to small startups, companies across the globe are continually on the lookout for skilled professionals who can drive innovation, streamline operations, and shape the future of technology. However, there’s a glaring issue that’s been causing ripples in the tech industry: the tech skills gap.
According to the Robert Half Technology 2023 IT salary report, an astounding 79% of tech managers are resorting to using contract professionals to bridge the skill gaps among their permanent staff. This trend is only expected to grow, with 72% of these managers planning to rely even more on contract workers in the coming year. So, as you can see, the rapid growth of tech teams is outpacing the number of available candidates. And this in turn is leading to an increasing number of job vacancies and a rise in starting salaries.
The upshot is, therefore, that building skills in these highest paying tech job roles will not only lead to a lucrative salary but also a rewarding and fulfilling career. In fact, on top of market-related increases, 58% of tech managers are offering premiums of 5%-10% to starting salaries for in-demand jobs. So, whether you’re entering the tech industry or looking to level up, now is the perfect time to explore the exciting and in-demand opportunities awaiting you.
Let’s explore the best paying jobs in tech.
8 High-Paying Tech Jobs
Cloud Engineer
Cloud computing has emerged as the powerhouse in the tech industry, and cloud engineers are at the forefront of this transformative movement. According to a LinkedIn report, cloud computing-related jobs are experiencing a staggering growth rate of 30% year over year, making them one of the fastest-growing career paths and one of the highest paying tech jobs.
Cloud engineers have diverse responsibilities, including designing cloud-based solutions, managing cloud environments, and ensuring performance and security. Companies are investing heavily in cloud technologies, and this is resulting in high demand and attractive starting salaries – Glassdoor estimates that the average salary of a cloud engineer in the US is $104,659.
But if you’re worried because you haven’t got a degree… don’t. You can enter the cloud computing field through online certification courses and programs instead. Good platform specific programs that provide valuable certifications include Amazon Web Service (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure. Or you can opt for multi-cloud training. You choose.
Data Scientist
Big data and analytics, too, offer high-paying jobs in technology. Data scientists have emerged as the driving force behind informed decision-making and groundbreaking insights. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientist jobs are anticipated to witness an impressive 36% growth between 2021 and 2031, solidifying their position among the most rapidly expanding roles in the job market.
As a data scientist, your expertise lies in collecting, interpreting, and analyzing vast sets of data to extract valuable patterns, trends, and correlations. Armed with this invaluable information, you can then provide businesses with the strategic intelligence they need to optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation.
With industries ranging from finance and healthcare to e-commerce and entertainment heavily relying on data-driven insights, data scientists have become indispensable assets, and now command competitive salaries and unparalleled career growth – Glassdoor estimates the average salary of a data scientist to be $1,52,195 per year.
So, if you’re an aspiring data scientist, building a career in data science can offer remarkable compensation and a plethora of exciting career opportunities. And with the help of up-to-date data science certification programs and courses, you can gain the requisite skills and practical experience to stand out in the job market.
Artificial Intelligence Specialist
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a game-changer, revolutionizing industries with transformative capabilities. As a result, AI and machine learning jobs have witnessed an extraordinary surge, soaring by nearly 75 percent over the past four years, and making the field one of the highest paying tech opportunities too.
As an AI specialist, you play a crucial role in developing and implementing AI solutions like natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive modeling, among others. With such pivotal roles in the tech landscape, it’s no surprise that the average salary for AI specialists is highly competitive, ranging from $87,000 to $291,000 per year.
To thrive in this dynamic field, you need a robust skill set that encompasses programming languages like Python, proficiency in machine learning algorithms, data analysis, and strong problem-solving abilities. Building these essential skills can be achieved through various AI certifications that offer comprehensive training and hands-on experience.
DevOps Engineer
DevOps engineers are the driving force behind efficient software development, bridging the gap between teams and streamlining processes. With a projected job growth of 21% from 2018 to 2028, the demand for skilled DevOps engineers is on a steady rise, and this is making for a lucrative and in-demand career path.
DevOps engineers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between software development and IT operations. As a result, DevOps engineers command attractive salaries, with an average annual pay of $123,417, depending on experience and expertise.
To succeed as a DevOps engineer, you need proficiency in tools such as Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, Terraform, and Ansible, along with a deep understanding of cloud technologies such as AWS or Azure. So, whether you possess a technical degree or not, if you have DevOps amongst your career options, then you can definitely hit the ground running via online certifications. With the help of DevOps certification programs or courses, you can equip yourself with the required skills and gain practical experience with the help of hands-on labs and capstone projects.
Help Desk and Desktop Support Professional
Organizations these days rely heavily on technology and help desk and desktop support professionals are the ones who keep businesses running smoothly. This has led to an ever-increasing demand for help desk and desktop support professionals, with highly rewarding compensation and career opportunities to support this. According to Salary.com, the average salary of a desktop support specialist in the US is $57,105.
To excel, you need strong communication, problem-solving, and technical skills. One way to gain the requisite skills is via online certifications that are industry-recognized and provide hands-on experience. If you’re a beginner, you can start by taking up MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals course, for example, followed by MS-203 and MS-600. And, as you gain experience, you can work your way up to becoming a network administrator.
Network Security Engineer
Businesses rely heavily on their network infrastructure to operate efficiently, and this is creating a high demand for skilled network support engineers. These professionals are essential for seamless connectivity, data security, and optimal performance. Therefore, becoming a network security engineer can lead to lucrative career opportunities. According to Talent.com, the average salary of a network security engineer in the US is a staggering $123,106 per year.
To thrive as a network support engineer, you need expertise in networking protocols, LAN/WAN configurations, and routing. You can equip yourself with the required skills by opting for certification courses and programs. A good learning pathway would be to take up a Fundamentals of Cybersecurity program, followed by courses on Information Security Audits, Preparing Information Security Audits, Information Security Devices, and Security Incident Response.
Data Analyst
Data analysts play a crucial role in extracting valuable insights from vast datasets, meeting the increasing demand for their skills. They transform raw data into actionable information, enabling businesses to optimize processes and gain a competitive edge. Entry-level data analysts can earn an average salary of $51,978 per year.
To excel as a data analyst, proficiency in data manipulation, statistical analysis, and data visualization is crucial. You can acquire these skills through online certification courses and programs, starting with the fundamentals and progressing to advanced levels. For beginners, foundational data analytics courses are available, followed up by courses on Tableau, Splunk, and Microsoft Excel.
Full Stack Developer
As businesses seek comprehensive web applications that cater to diverse user needs, the demand for skilled full stack developers has skyrocketed. Full stack developers are able to handle both front-end and back-end development tasks seamlessly. As a result, their salaries are often very competitive and reflect the demand for their expertise. According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a full stack developer in the US is a whopping $97,152 per year. So, if you’ve been planning to get into a high paying tech job, then this might be the one for you.
To thrive as a full stack developer, a well-rounded skill set is essential. You can build the requisite skills by opting for online certification courses/programs. Start with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as they are vital for creating visually appealing and interactive user interfaces. Then, build your back-end knowledge of server-side languages like Node.js, Python, or Ruby, along with database management systems, which are crucial for handling data and managing server operations.
Next steps for you
As you can see, the tech industry presents a realm of exciting opportunities, with various careers on the rise and in high demand. However, to get into your desired job profile, you need to be equipped with the necessary skills and practical experience. Opting for certification courses/ programs can help you build the right skills and get a rewarding career and salary.
If you would like to know more about how you can build skills and get started as a tech professional, contact our Learner Support Team at [email protected]. They will be more than happy to guide you on the next steps you can take.
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