If you’re ready to find a high-paying tech job, start your search on ZipRecruiter. If you're still wondering what it takes, check out our quick start guide below.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2020 until 2030 the tech sector is expected to grow by 13 percent. This is faster than the average of all occupations with the median income for computer and IT occupations more than 2X that of other occupations.
In this article, we’re going to cover the highest paying tech jobs, including the job’s average salary, job requirements and education needed for that role.
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Quick Start Guide To Getting A High Paying Job In Tech
Getting a job in tech is competitive. Think about it like this: you’re selling the company on a major investment in you, so you need to do everything you can to get an edge. Here's how.
- Invest a little money to have a professional resume writing service get the most out of your resume. Your time is better spent elsewhere, as in networking and qualifying the right opportunities.
- Make sure you're prepped for the interview. Invest in a copy of The Break Community's best crowdsourced interview and personal branding tips.
- Find the best opportunities in tech at Ziprecruiter, today.
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
18 Highest Paying Tech Jobs
1. Product Manager
Median National Salary: $159,000+/year
Education Required: You should have a Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Engineering or a related field.
Product managers organize and lead the development of products from idea to launch. This job is for people that have:
- Strong analytical skills
- Knowledge of the Product Lifecycle
- Time management and organizational skills
2. Full Stack Developer
Median National Salary: $123,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
A full stack developer knows front-end and back-end web development. Full stack developers have coding skills. They know front-end and back-end languages and frameworks. Because they can create applications from start to finish, they are very valuable to have within an organization.
You should have:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in computer science
- Strong organizational skills
- Strong product management skills
- Knowledge and experience in front-end and back-end web development
3. Cloud Architect
Median National Salary: $150,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in computer science or a related field
A cloud architect is an IT professional that can translate technical project requirements into components and design (the cloud architecture) for the final product.
Cloud architects should have:
- Knowledge of operating systems
- A strong understanding of computer networking and programming languages
- Understanding of cloud security
Cloud architects are strategic, excellent planners, well-organized and detail-oriented.
Related: Cloud Jobs
4. Blockchain Engineer
Median National Salary: $147,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in computer science or information security
Blockchain engineers work with blockchain technology in the operations, design, development, and execution of the project.
To become a blockchain engineer, you should have a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science or information security. You should also have:
- A strong understanding of blockchain platforms
- Knowledge of cryptography
- Knowledge of coding languages
- Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
5. Data Scientist
Median National Salary: $122,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in data science or a related computer science field
Data scientists gather and analyze data sets. They can take large sets of unstructured data and interpret them.
This career is for IT professionals that have strong statistical analysis and computing skills. Other top skills you should have in your toolbox are mathematics, statistics, data wrangling and data visualization, programming, and machine learning, among other skills.
If you want to become a data scientist, start by updating your resume. Learn more by reading our data scientist resume guide.
6. Software Engineering Manager
Median National Salary: $169,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in computer science. Pursuing an MBA is often desired because that additional education can teach you management skills so you can lead employees effectively
A software engineering manager works to manage the design and development of software applications. These IT professionals are tech leaders. Ideally, you have a background and experience as a software developer or software engineer and you’re looking to transition into a leadership role.
Software engineering managers should have a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science. Pursuing an MBA is often desired because that additional education can teach you management skills so you can lead employees effectively.
7. Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions Engineer
Median National Salary: $101,000/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or equivalent experience
An Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions Engineer is a job that combines multiple skills to be able to best serve customers:
- Working closely with customers to identify their needs
- Participating in the design and build of IoT solutions
- Operating and troubleshooting customer issues
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to connected devices that can collect and exchange data. Examples of IoT devices: smart home security systems, ultra-high-speed internet, and biometric security scanners.
Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions Engineers should have a Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or equivalent experience. You should know about:
- Big Data
- Security
- Cloud computing
- JavaScript
- Python and,
- Have a strong understanding of machine learning and artificial intelligence
8. Big Data Engineer
Median National Salary: $131,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree at a minimum but, most Big Data Engineers have accompanying advanced degrees, as well.
Big data engineers sort through data sets to interpret, decipher, and organize data for behavior prediction.
To work as a big data engineer you should have a Bachelor’s Degree at a minimum but, most Big Data Engineers have accompanying advanced degrees, as well.
This is a job for someone who knows machine learning, has database skills, knows various programming languages, and has an understanding of cloud computing.
9. Mobile Applications Developer
Median National Salary: $110,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree
A mobile applications developer is a software developer of mobile applications. This can include building, testing, and maintaining mobile apps.
To work in this career, you should have a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science along with:
- Software development skills
- App and software design skills
- UX and UI knowledge
- Creative thinking skills
10. Information Systems Security Manager
Median National Salary: $136,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in a tech-related field
An information systems security manager provides guidance and management to teams on security systems and system vulnerabilities. Your role will be to safeguard the security of the organization’s systems through implementing security policies, and developing and executing security strategies to ensure the reliability and safety of the project.
An information systems security manager should have a Bachelor’s Degree in a tech-related field. They should know about network security, have technical expertise, be an excellent communicator, have leadership skills, possess problem-solving skills, and be great at multitasking.
11. Database Manager
Median National Salary: $97,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in computer science or information science
A database manager is in charge of maintaining an organization’s database system. They ensure the safety and security of the company’s data.
Database managers should have a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science or information science.
You should be detail-oriented, have strong organizational skills, be a strong communicator and be an excellent problem solver.
12. Software Architect
Median National Salary: $174,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in computing technology, computer science, mathematics, or a related technical field
A software architect is a software developer in charge of design and technical decisions. They are technical experts that develop, design, and implement solutions for operating systems, software applications, and other systems.
You should have a Bachelor’s Degree in computing technology, computer science, mathematics, or a related technical field.
Analytical and problem-solving skills are needed as well as:
- Knowledge of cryptography
- CPU design experience
- Operating system architecture and design experience
- Database design and data modeling experience
13. Data Security Analyst
Median National Salary: $98,000+/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in computer science
A data security analyst works with the security behind an organization’s systems. Their job is to safeguard computer networks to ensure it remains virus-free and safe from computer hackers.
A Bachelor’s Degree in computer science is required for this job and you should have skills like:
- Knowledge of scripting
- A strong understanding of computer frameworks
- Operating system and network security
- Cloud expertise
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
The Highest-Paying Tech Jobs Without A Degree
What’s interesting about tech is that you can work a high-paying non-technical job in the tech industry without needing a degree. This is ideal for workers that don’t have a degree but have knowledge, expertise, and experience. It’s an excellent opportunity to work in a growing industry without having a highly technical position.
14. Web Developer
Median National Salary: $93,000+/year
Web development is a skill that can be self-taught. You can learn by watching YouTube videos, taking a free or paid online course, or reading books about web development.
Then, practicing on your web development projects or working for clients on a freelance basis is valuable experience you can use to land a high-paying tech job without a degree.
Web developers are professionals that can build websites. They can develop and maintain websites including the performance, capacity, and website speed.
We recommend an online web development course by The University Of Michigan! This course teaches the basics of web development and coding. Upon completion, you earn a certificate.
To learn more, check out our web developer job description. You can also learn how to write a web developer resume.
15. Computer Programmer
Median National Salary: $64,000+/year
A computer programmer does coding for organizations and freelance clients. The coding skills you learn don’t require a degree. You can learn coding skills on your own. They even host coding camps for kids at elementary and middle school age.
We recommend an introduction to programming course by The University Of Pennsylvania. This course is entirely online and helps you learn two popular programming languages - Java and Python.
For more information, check out our computer programmer job description and our guide to writing a computer programmer resume.
16. Computer Support Specialist
Median National Salary: $55,000+/year
In this role, you’ll work with customers to provide technical support. You will provide support in a face-to-face setting, over the phone, or online.
Essentially, it’s like a customer service representative type of job but for supporting customers in tech.
If you have customer service skills and a background working with people along with strong soft skills like communication, this could be the job for you.
We recommend getting a Google IT Support Professional Certificate. This certificate can be obtained online and is a great path to a career in IT. In this program, you’ll learn in-demand skills that will have you job-ready in less than 6 months.
You can also check out our technical support job description to learn more about roles like these!
Related: Best IT Certificates
17. Digital Marketer
Median National Salary: $77,000+/year
Digital marketers do online marketing for organizations. This can include:
- Managing paid advertising campaigns
- Promoting products via social media
- Gathering and reviewing data and analytics
While having a college degree in business, marketing or a related field is helpful, it’s not required to secure a job in digital marketing.
We recommend exploring an online Digital Marketing Specialization. This course is offered by The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This course will teach you the latest digital marketing skills, taught by industry experts.
If you want to become a digital marketer, check out our digital marketing manager job description and our digital marketing resume.
18. Graphic Designer
Median National Salary: $55,000+/year
Graphic design is another skill that can be self-taught. You can learn to use graphic design software and tools like Adobe Photoshop and others online then take those skills to land a graphic design job in tech without a college degree.
We recommend taking a Graphic Design Specialization course. In this course, you can learn and apply the principles of graphic design towards a comprehensive branding project.
If you want to become a graphic designer, check out our graphic designer job description and our graphic designer resume guide.
Related: The Best Tech Careers
Best Places To Find High-Paying Tech Jobs
Here are the best places to find high-paying tech jobs. If you need help with your resume prior to applying for jobs, we recommend checking out our guide to the best resume writing services. Resume writing services are an affordable way to make sure your resume accurately reflects your skills and experience.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is one of the best online job boards on the web. They have job postings from various industries including tech, serving over two million employers on the platform. This is a great place to start your search for a high-paying tech job.
For more information, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
Pallet
Pallet is a personalized platform that focuses on community-based hiring. Pallet job boards are curated, with the job seeker in mind.
CareerCloud’s Executive Editor and Podcast Host, Mike Gardon, curates jobs that are fully remote, upwardly mobile tech positions, or tech positions located in growing mid size cities with lower cost of living.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor is a job board that gives you access to job postings, company insights, and salary information, among other resources. They support jobs in the tech industry and other fields.
For more information, check out our Glassdoor review.
Indeed
Indeed is an online job bank where you can search for high-paying jobs in tech and other industries. They have thousands of jobs posted with new jobs being introduced daily.
For more information, check out our Indeed review.
LinkedIn is a social media network for career goers. You can use the platform to search and apply for high-paying tech jobs, network with peers, get job referrals in tech, and more.
For more information, check out our LinkedIn review.
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder is an online job website that gives you access to high-paying careers in tech plus salary insights, company information, and tools.
For more information, check out our CareerBuilder review.
To learn about more online job sites, read about the best free job posting sites.
How To Get A High-Paying Tech Job
If you are wondering how you can get a job in IT, you may have noticed that many of these roles require a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science. Did you know you can get your bachelor’s in computer science online?
Coursera offers online programs for bachelor’s degrees computer science and additional certifications. A high paying tech job could be in your future!
If you already have your degree in computer science, Coursera offers many options for additional certifications and courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tech jobs make 100K a year?
Tech jobs that make 100K a year are usually either highly technical or involve management or working in a leadership capacity, to some degree. Examples of jobs that make 100K a year include software architect, big data engineer, and software engineering manager.
What is the highest paying tech job in the U.S.?
The highest paying tech jobs in the U.S. are tech management jobs like software engineering managers and product managers, both of which make well over $100K per year.
What is the highest paying entry-level job?
The highest paying entry-level jobs in tech are web developers and software developers. Both jobs could land near or above six figures starting out and you can land a web developer job without a college degree!
What field has the highest salary?
Tech is an industry that has some of the highest salaries of all occupations. Within tech, the highest salaries goe to highly technical positions and management jobs.
The Bottom Line
These are some of the highest paying tech jobs in the industry and you can see that many of them don’t even require a college degree.
Tech continues to be an ever-evolving industry with plenty of opportunities today and in the future. If you are looking for high paying tech jobs, brush up your IT resume and start applying for jobs today!
To get started in your tech career search, visit ZipRecruiter today!
