There are several occupations and roles in the large field of technology. It might be difficult to choose a job route that fits your interests, financial expectations, skill set, and professional ambitions when you are just beginning your coding journey. Even if you already have your heart set on a particular job title, it’s still beneficial to keep an eye out for comparable roles to increase your chances of breaking into the business with a position you want. Additionally, you often discover more about what you truly enjoy doing when you engage with other themes. Knowing your job possibilities is helpful once you’ve found what you love!
Today, we’ll focus on occupations that call for coding knowledge and expose you to 8 consistently high-paying jobs in the tech sector (based on national statistics in the United States). You’ll gain an overview of the qualifications required for a number of entry-level roles in a variety of vocations. You may begin preparing for the career of your dreams once you are aware of the abilities you need to acquire.
It’s vital to emphasize that we are focused on base compensation rather than total compensation for all of these positions. Total pay is the sum of all the benefits that an employer offers, plus the basic income (your salary). The many advantages that each company provides will have a significant impact on your overall remuneration. Having a target to work toward is essential for your long-term success, regardless of where you are in the learning process. We hope the list below helps you better understand the steps you must take to accomplish a successful career in technology. Let’s get going!
We’ll cover:
1. Computer programmer
2. Web developer
3. Computer systems analyst
4. Data scientist
5. Software engineer
6. DevOps engineers
7. Data engineer
8. Software engineer manager
1. Computer programmer
The implementation of the code for software systems and applications is the responsibility of computer programmers, sometimes known as “coders.” Even though the terms “computer programmer” and “software developer” are sometimes used interchangeably, “computer programmer” refers to a position that is more entry-level. It frequently marks the beginning of a career in software engineering.
These professionals create the programming necessary for computers and software to function. Making judgments about what should be included in a website or application, what language to employ, or the general architecture is not the responsibility of a developer. The coder is in charge of carrying out the coding strategy for a particular business or endeavor. Typically, software developers and engineers create this strategy. To enhance functionality, add features, or fix vulnerabilities, computer programmers constantly update and maintain code bases.
Experience:
Earning professional certifications is an excellent approach to strengthening your resume while pursuing your coding education, whether through an online resource, boot camp, or institution. These credentials assist in validating your coding proficiency because it can be challenging to create an appealing résumé. If you don’t have a degree in computer science and want to differentiate yourself from the competition, these certifications and courses become even more valuable. Having evidence of their contributions to open source projects can help self-taught programmers stand out as well!
Salary:
Depending on the organization and amount of expertise, the average income for a computer programmer’s employment ranges from $59,700 to $155,200 annually. Levels.fyi is a fantastic tool for discovering open positions, accessible internships, expectations, and pay for particular businesses!
Desired abilities
The following abilities are advantageous if you’re considering applying to be a computer programmer:
- Aptitude for solving issues
- The capacity to meet deadlines
- Knowledge of the necessary programming language (s)- Some of the most well-known programming languages used by computer programmers are C++, Python, PHP, and Java.
2. Web developer
Both the front end (client-side) and back end (server-side) of a website can be worked on by web developers. Additionally, there are full-stack developers who operate on the website’s server and client sides. The huge sector of developing mobile applications also calls for web developers with a variety of skill sets. A staggering 83 percent [1] of people on the planet owned a smartphone in 2021.
Experience:
A web developer must build a good portfolio of work in addition to receiving an education, whether from a university or online source. To land interviews for the most sought-after web development jobs, you’ll need examples of successful websites that you’ve contributed to. Certifications are an excellent option if you have a strong education and portfolio but need to learn a new system or framework for an interview. By completing educational courses and pathways, you can obtain certificates for chosen technologies and abilities!
Salary:
The starting compensation for a web developer is thought to be roughly $75,000 per year, however, it can vary greatly depending on the size of the company and the employee’s level of experience.
Desired abilities
Technical expertise:
- Languages like HTML5, PHP, and JavaScript
- Web frameworks like Django and AngularJS
- Knowledge of databases like Oracle and SQL
Communication:
- Recognizing the requirements of the team
- The capacity to communicate technical ideas to clients
Self-directed education
As your career progresses, be prepared to learn new hardware and software because web development is constantly changing. Today’s businesses, from your favorite sparkling water firm to the top players in the aerospace sector, all require web developers. You might enter any industry of your choice with this job!
3. Computer systems analyst
Systems analysts, also referred to as system architects or system designers, create software systems and solutions that are tailored to the specific business requirements of a company or client. In addition, they are accountable for
- Identifying and fixing any system issues
- Avoiding functional problems
- Ensuring that a system is effective
A systems analyst is fundamentally a problem-solver. Systems analysts serve as a link between IT and non-IT departments by verifying that the appropriate software, visualization, and cloud computing are being used and operating correctly. An information security analyst, who is in charge of keeping the systems safe from viruses or attacks, plays a job that is comparable to that of a system designer.
Experience:
To obtain this position, you must have a degree in computer science and related work experience with computers and information systems. System analysts frequently begin their careers as entry-level computer programmers or software engineers in order to obtain knowledge of computer systems and procedures. A career in this field is both in high demand and highly desired. Expect to wait until you’ve had some job experience with system design before you consider yourself a candidate for this position.
Salary:
Although it clearly has the potential to rise well into the triple digits, the average income for this post is thought to be around $99,000 per year.
Desired abilities
- Superior communication abilities
- Conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent focus on the details
- Mastery of topics related to system design
4. Data scientist
Big data and machine learning professions are expanding since data is undoubtedly the most useful resource for any firm on Earth. Making judgments based on data and conveying complicated concepts are two non-technical abilities that are crucial for the job of a data scientist. The position calls for a person to be an excellent communicator, analytic problem solver, and technically skilled in drawing conclusions from data that can influence decisions in the future.
A data scientist uses machine learning, as opposed to a data analyst who often does not, making them distinct from one another. Analysts help data scientists deliver insights and visualizations while also handling data transformation and cleansing.
Experience:
An excellent method to demonstrate that you have the skills required for success is to obtain certifications in particular technologies or languages, especially if you don’t hold an information systems or computer science degree. A bachelor’s degree in one of the aforementioned fields is required for the majority of data scientists, nevertheless (or one that is closely related).
Salary:
The beginning wage for a data scientist is often approximately $100,000 annually, but it will undoubtedly increase as you work in the field for a longer period of time.
Desired abilities
- Proficiency in Python, R, and SQL
- Computer learning
- In-depth learning
- Processing language naturally
- Understanding of Python’s machine learning libraries
5. Software engineer
This job perfectly defines what it means to be a developer. For a company’s unique requirements, software developers create systems and software. The options are essentially unlimited, and this might be either an additional application or a full operating system. Software developers come in a variety of forms. Here are a few illustrations:
- Front-end developer: responsible for creating the user interface (UI)
- Back-end Engineer: An expert in the application’s internal workings
- Full-Stack Engineer: Manages the front-end and back-end of a project.
Machine learning Engineer: Works with the data science team to run artificial intelligence algorithms that automatically run predictive models and gather pertinent data. Creates techniques and systems to evaluate the security of a system and point up any weaknesses.
Experience:
Internships are a wise choice for anybody trying to get into the software development profession because most positions require many years of practical experience to even be considered. In our world, there is a demand for software engineers in every industry. You can get an internship to get your foot in the door if you have a love for a specific area or growth.
Salary:
A software engineer typically makes roughly $105,000 a year, but there is a possibility for advancement.
Desired abilities
- Knowledge of popular languages including Python, Ruby, C++, and Java. The more languages you know, the more likely it is that you can solve a variety of coding problems.
- Working well in a group setting
- Working together with other programmers, engineers, and non-technical staff members who use your systems and software will be necessary.
- Adaptability is essential.
6. DevOps engineers
Additionally, this position falls under the larger category of “software engineers.” A DevOps engineer’s primary responsibility is to encourage cooperation between software developers and information technology experts.
Experience:
Expertise in computer science, programming, and cloud services is expected, but among DevOps engineers, multifaceted analytical skills are always needed. Before becoming qualified for a DevOps function, time in another software engineering role is also necessary. The individual is expected to be a problem solver, as is the case with the majority of these high-paying tech occupations. Due to the variety of issues that need their attention across two separate departments, it is much more anticipated of a DevOps engineer.
The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification is a wonderful one to keep an eye on if you want to work as a DevOps engineer in the future. A major plus for your DevOps CV is demonstrating that you have comprehensive knowledge of operating systems, such as Linux.
Salary:
The position typically pays $123,000 a year in salary.
Among the DevOps tasks are:
- Keeping track of new operations’ security
- Thorough knowledge of the objectives of the development team and the operations team
- Aiding in the planning and introduction of new code for new systems
- Oversee the rollout of new applications and functionalities
7. Data engineer
Data engineers, commonly referred to as big data engineers, are senior software developers who are in charge of formatting data in a way that is simple to understand. Data engineers supply the methods and solutions for how data is transmitted and stored that data analysts and data scientists rely on. Data engineers are concerned with how data is obtained, whereas data scientists are entrusted with uncovering the why in data. In order for data scientists to effectively carry out their duties, data engineers are on the front lines of the data strategy.
Experience:
Years of experience are more crucial than educational background when applying for a position in data engineering. It’s safe to assume that your education—degree bachelor’s or not—is acceptable if you’ve been working in the data sector for a while and want to advance. However, setting a goal can never be done too early. In order to get started on the route to becoming a data engineer, look for an internship or an entry-level data analysis position.
Salary:
The annual compensation for this vital position is approximately $132,500.
Few tasks for data engineers:
- Construct data pipelines
- The creation of data architectures
- Efficient data storage
- Improving data scientists’ and data analysts’ access to data so they can do their tasks
8. Software engineer manager
A person with this designation is in charge of their own group of software engineers. Thorough knowledge of the business development process is crucial for leaders. The manager of software engineering will assign tasks to team members and specify the objectives and guidelines for each activity.
Experience:
A candidate for this position should ideally have substantial expertise both as a software engineer and as a team leader. The combination of development mastery with people management skills is not one that occurs all that frequently. There is no reason why you cannot one day become a software engineering manager if you aspire to be a developer and feel that you excel in managerial positions. You’ll know what it takes to oversee a group of developers once you’ve worked as a software engineer for a while.
Salary:
With a projected starting salary of $152,000 per year, this makes it the highest-paying profession (on average) to make our list.
Several qualities that are preferred include:
- Inclusiveness- People from all different backgrounds are employed in the field of software engineering. As a manager, it’s crucial to ensure that everyone can be heard in addition to making sure your voice is heard.
- High level of technical ability
- Adaptability – The rest of the development team is likely to lack familiarity with new best practices and advanced technologies if the manager is unfamiliar with them.
- Exceptional communication abilities
Conclusion
Knowing some of the important responsibilities that make up the sector might help take some of the mystery out of the unpredictable world of technology. Speaking of the unpredictable, the latest epidemic has forced many people to postpone their plans for a tech career. It’s time for many people to turn their attention back to the technology sector as the pandemic’s end draws close (hopefully)! We hope that this summary has given you a better understanding of what you want to achieve in the field of technology!
Happy studying!
