A look at the best paying IT jobs
The field of computer and information technology (IT) is one of the fastest-growing in the country. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in IT are projected to grow 11% by 2029, adding more than 531,000 new jobs
What are technology jobs?
Today, technology plays a significant part in the growth of all industries and business sectors. The tech field is diverse and ever-changing, with many sub-specialties and different primary focuses such as security, software development, and database management. With so many options, IT job types are vast, each requiring specialized certifications and distinctive skills.
Just knowing that an abundance of tech and IT jobs are out there is one step toward a career in information technology. The next step is to figure out what type of job and career path interests you or relates to your current skill set.
The 18 best-paying tech and IT jobs as of March 2021
To help with your search, we’ve listed the best paying IT and tech jobs based on projected growth and an average base pay of over $100,000. The list also details what education, experience, or certifications may be needed for the position.
Chief information officer
Average base pay: $161,100
The chief information officer is at the top of the tech career food chain. They oversee an organization’s entire information technology strategy by managing various IT departments. A master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in a computer science-related field is usually required. Certifications are not required, however broad IT knowledge and progressive management experience are desired by many employers.
Learn more: Chief Information Officer Duties
Software development manager
Average base pay: $153,300
Software development managers oversee junior software developers as they design the software, web applications, and services of an organization. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, information technology, or a related field and at least three years of management experience are preferred.
Learn more: Software Development Manager Duties
Blockchain engineer
Average base pay: $150,000
Blockchain engineers develop, implement, and share specialized digital solutions for a company. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or engineering with database, security, and programming certifications is required. Many employers prefer a master’s degree, solid programming skills, and experience working with Ripple, Ethereum, and Bitcoin.
Learn more: Blockchain Engineer Jobs
Technical program manager
Average base pay: $145,000
Technical program managers are responsible for all aspects of specific technical projects and teams of junior technicians to ensure an organization’s IT strategy is properly implemented. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, computer science, or a related field with at least three years of managerial experience is preferred.
Learn more: Technical Program Manager Jobs
Computer & information systems manager
Average base pay: $142,530
Computer and information systems managers coordinate a company’s information processing activities to ensure that their systems meet business goals. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field with more than five years of experience working in the information technology field is required.
Learn more: Computer & Information Systems Manager Jobs
Development & operations (DevOps) engineer
Average base pay: $141,200
A newer position that has gained in popularity over the last three years, DevOps engineers create, implement, and maintain automated software systems to ensure efficient collaboration between an organization’s departments. A bachelor’s degree in engineering or a computer science-related degree with software development and managerial experience is required. Familiarity with tools like Git and knowledge of Linux or Unix is preferred.
Learn More: Development & Operations Engineer Duties
Database manager
Average base pay: $137,500
Database managers design and monitor a company’s databases or systems for collecting, storing, and retrieving information. A bachelor’s degree in management information systems (MIS), computer science, or a related field with at least three years of managerial experience is required. Certifications in database programming are desired.
Learn more: Database Manager Duties
Mobile applications developer
Average base pay: $133,816
Mobile applications developers develop, execute, and monitor mobile and web applications. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or information systems with certifications in common programming languages is required. Experience in coding and knowledge of web development languages is preferred.
Learn more: Mobile Applications Developer Jobs
Information security engineer
Average base pay: $131,300
Information security engineers oversee an organization’s IT security activities by developing, implementing, and monitoring policies, procedures, and systems. A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information security, or a related field with at least five years of cybersecurity experience is required. Certifications such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or CompTIA Security+ are preferred.
Learn more: Information Security Engineer Jobs
Big data engineer
Average base pay: $130,674
Big data engineers help businesses transform and analyze all of the data they collect to assist senior management with making informed business decisions. Primary responsibilities include developing and maintaining systems and infrastructures for collecting, storing, analyzing, and sharing business data. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field with certifications in programming languages like Java is preferred. Expertise in mathematics and databases is also preferred.
Learn more: Big Data Engineer Duties
Software engineering manager
Average base pay: $130,118
Software engineering managers direct junior software engineers as they design, develop, and implement a company’s software applications and solutions At least a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a related field and at least three years of management experience is preferred. Specific programming language knowledge is required.
Learn More: Software Engineering Manager Duties
Software architect
Average base pay: $124,320
Software architects manage a team of software engineers to direct, design, and implement an organization’s tech solutions. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field with at least five years of managerial and software development experience is required. Specific programming language knowledge is also required.
Learn more: Software Architect Jobs
Data warehouse manager
Average base pay: $121,115
Data warehouse managers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining data warehouse systems and repositories. A bachelor’s degree in computer information management or a related field and five years designing and managing databases with managerial experience is required.
Learn more: Data Warehouse Manager Duties
Computer & information research scientist
Average base pay: $122,840
Computer and information research scientists evaluate current and research new computing systems to ensure an organization’s competitive edge. A master’s degree in computer science or a related field is required.
Learn more: Computer & Information Research Scientist Jobs
Computer hardware engineer
Average base pay: $117,220
Computer hardware engineers oversee the manufacture, installation, and testing of computer hardware such as servers, chips, and circuit boards. A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science is required.
Learn more: Computer Hardware Engineer Outlook
Applications development manager
Average base pay: $117,125
Application development managers are responsible for all of an organization’s computer software application activities to optimize productivity. A bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in computer information systems and certifications in common programming languages is preferred.
Learn more: Applications Development Manager Duties
Artificial intelligence (AI) engineer
Average base pay: $114,120
AI engineers are responsible for developing, programming, and deploying artificial intelligence systems to automate common functions and tasks. A bachelor’s degree in computer and data science, information technology, or a related field with programming experience is required. Solid programming skills and knowledge of Python or Torch are preferred.
Learn more: Artificial Intelligence Engineer Duties
Computer network architect
Average base pay: $112,690
Computer network architects design, construct, and maintain data communication networks, such as local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field with specialized certification courses is preferred. Certification in Cisco, CCNA, or CCNP is required.
Learn more: Computer Network Architect Jobs
Front-end developer
Average base pay: $101,440
Front-end developers design and maintain websites by ensuring they are visually appealing, easy to use, and portray the business or organization’s goal. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field with specialized certification courses in graphic and web design is preferred. Experience with HTML and search engine optimization (SEO) is required by most employers.
Learn more: Front-End Developer Jobs
How to get your dream tech job
Obtaining a tech job starts like any other job, with education, training, and experience. As you can tell from the list of jobs above, most high-paying IT jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in a technology-related field. Although it is not impossible to get a tech job without a college degree, opportunities require a substantial amount of experience in lieu of the degree.
You can also obtain certifications through various technology organizations, such as Microsoft and Google, which keep you up to date with emerging software and technology. Certifications also make you more desirable to employers.
Using this list as your guide, begin gaining the highly desired specialized technical skills and management experience through university and college degree programs, certification courses, and internships.
If you’re still unsure if any of these jobs are for you, remember these are just some of the best paying technology jobs available in the tech field. Keep an eye on the job market, and you just might find your dream job.