Last Updated on Apr 8, 2020 by James W
Information technology is an innovative industry that is constantly evolving. This creates a wide range of career opportunities for job seekers with an interest in the field. Along with fantastic career prospects, technology professionals also benefit from attractive salary packages, enviable job security, and job satisfaction. With this in mind, here are the top three highest-paying jobs in technology.
1. Software Developer
The U.S. News’ Best Technology Jobs of 2019 voted software developer as the top technology job. According to the report, the average annual salary of a software developer is $101,790 and the unemployment rate is just 1.9%. Software developers use their creative skills and technical knowledge to design and create computer programs that are used by individuals and organizations.
Software developers are in high demand and are employed within a wide range of industries including business, healthcare, government, and finance. To become a software developer, you would normally need to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Many employers look for candidates who have gained industry experience by completing work placements and internships within the field of software development. Earning a master’s degree is not always necessary, but it is likely to help you stand out from the competition when applying for the best jobs.
2. Cybersecurity Specialist
Cybersecurity has become a serious threat to individuals and businesses. Big organizations like Amazon, Google, and eBay have all fallen victim to cybersecurity attacks in recent years. A cybersecurity breach can have severe implications and result in huge financial losses. In the digital age, a majority of businesses rely on technology to store sensitive data. This means that no one is safe from cyber threats and there are numerous examples of data breaches on a daily basis. For that reason, cybersecurity professionals are in extremely high demand as businesses look for ways to enhance their security and protect their valuable data.
The field of cybersecurity is hugely diverse and specialists can choose between a number of rewarding job roles including security analyst, program manager, and security engineer. Typically, cybersecurity professionals benefit from high salaries, excellent career progression, and flexible working hours. If you would like to learn more about this exciting field, you can find many useful articles on the topic of: What Does a Career in Cybersecurity Look Like.
3. IT Manager
Information technology (IT) managers are responsible for overseeing and managing an organization’s technology systems and helping the company to achieve their technology needs and goals. They typically manage a team of IT professionals to ensure that all technology systems are running efficiently. IT managers are also responsible for keeping the company’s computer systems up to date and protecting the network from cybersecurity threats and breaches. This helps to ensure that a company remains compliant with data protection laws and regulations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for IT managers are expected to grow by 11% by 2028, which is far higher than the average across all other occupations. IT managers have usually earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science followed by several years of related work experience. Some also gain a graduate degree to further enhance their skills and career prospects.
