The 15 highest-paying tech jobs in 2024

Any company that uses computers for business operations needs a computer and information system manager, or IT manager.

As head of the IT department, this high-paid role plans and oversees activities related to an organization’s computer systems, including its cybersecurity measures. A good IT manager regularly touches base with other department heads and management roles to resolve IT issues and plan projects.

Beyond having excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, this role should be well versed in network administration, cybersecurity, cloud computing, database management, and software development technologies.

Software developers use their expertise in computer science and engineering to design, test, deploy, and maintain computer and network software. In other words, they are the architects behind every application or system on the market.

The end-to-end software development process involves mapping out an application or system, writing code, troubleshooting, and outlining the specifications needed for these tools to perform well. Additionally, they can be tasked with maintaining databases, such as Oracle or MySQL.

Software developers should be highly skilled in various programming languages, such as Java, SQL, Python, Linux, and so on, in addition to any in-house programming languages. As their work passes through the hands of nearly every role in the organization, they should have excellent interpersonal skills.

Computer network architects design, implement, and maintain computer networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets and extranets, and others.

Some day-to-day tasks include developing security measures, such as firewalls, assessing security vulnerabilities, drawing up plans for disaster recovery, and analyzing capacity needs for network infrastructure. As a business grows, a computer network architect ensures networks can grow with it while maintaining their high performance and reliability.

Computer network architects should know their way around IT systems, the cybersecurity landscape, and computer equipment. Having prior experience as network and computer systems administrators is also an advantage.

Cybersecurity remains a top priority for most businesses, especially those with a large global presence, and this is where information security analysts come in.

These specialists plan and implement measures to ensure an organization’s information is kept safe from hackers, viruses, and cyber-attacks. In practice, that could look like analyzing data breaches, identifying vulnerabilities in a network, and installing data encryption, firewalls, and virus protection.

Information security analysts should be skilled in computer systems and hardware, network security, cybersecurity tools, data loss prevention (DLP), and incident response. They should also understand cloud security for platforms like AWS or Azure.

Database administrators implement and maintain computer databases. They ensure databases perform well, have enough data storage, and can be scaled.

The responsibilities of a database administrator include creating databases, efficiently organizing and archiving data, troubleshooting issues, backing up and recovering data, and creating database documentation.

They have in-depth knowledge of database security, data management system software, such as MySQL, Oracle, or SAP Hana, and programming languages like SQL.

Many tech occupations have not been formally recognized by the BLS. The “computer occupations, all other” category includes the following professions:

• Web administrators
• Geographic information systems technologists and technicians
• Document management specialists
• Penetration testers
• Information security engineers
• Digital forensics analysts
• Blockchain engineers
• Computer systems/architects
• Information technology project managers

These careers take home some of the highest salaries in the tech industry. Head to O*net for job-specific information on any of these careers.

Software quality assurance (SQA) analysts and testers are in high demand in tech, as they ensure that software is free of bugs and other issues impacting its performance and reliability.

Software testing involves detecting defects or bugs in the software and reporting them to software developers and in documentation. Many use automation scripts to enhance efficiency.

As their role is collaborative, software quality assurance analysts and testers should be excellent communicators. They are also well acquainted with agile testing and test automation, the software development lifecycle, programming languages like Python, Java, or C#, and documentation best practices.

Data science is a fascinating and varied field, offering opportunities to work in any industry that uses complex data to make informed decisions.

Depending on the organization, the responsibilities of a data scientist are just as diverse – ranging from analyzing trends in large data sets to building predictive models, visualizing data in easy-to-understand graphics, and presenting findings to stakeholders in PowerPoint presentations.

Data scientists are skilled in statistical analysis, regression modelling, machine learning, data visualization, and cloud computing. Knowledge of programming languages, such as Python, R, and SQL, is also needed to make sense of large swaths of data.

Computer systems analysts find better ways to use computer technology to meet the strategic needs of organizations.

By studying computer system capabilities and workflows, these roles can identify new technologies, or improve upon existing ones, that allow a business to accomplish its objectives more efficiently. Other job duties might include testing new software or hardware, troubleshooting, or helping users resolve computer malfunctions and other issues.

Computer systems analysts should be well versed in information systems, network and diagnostic tools, data analysis, and communication.

Computer programmers write, test, and update code for programs and applications using languages such as Java, C#, Python, Ruby, and JavaScript. Code is simply a set of instructions that computers use to run properly and perform tasks.

Programming skills are highly coveted in the global job market and have broad applicability to countless other tech roles, such as software and web developers, data scientists, and database administrators. While a bachelor’s degree in computer and IT technology is preferred, certification programs and coding bootcamps are also accepted.

Management analysts evaluate information relating to an organization’s business operations, particularly its financial data, to suggest improvements that increase efficiency. Business intelligence (BI) analysts fit into this occupational category.

Business intelligence analysts spend most of their time analyzing large data sets by querying databases, preparing reports and dashboards, and consulting companies on various areas of their business.

The BLS-sourced salary information below reflects all management analysts. This is in par with what business intelligence analysts make on average, which is $95,670, according to Indeed.

Information technology project managers are big-picture thinkers who manage IT projects from ideation to completion. Their tasks include setting and tracking project goals, ensuring the team works within the available budget and time constraints, and revising the project roadmap when needed.

What sets IT project managers apart from other project managers is a comprehensive understanding of various IT concepts, including data management, cybersecurity, data storage, computer networks, and application architecture. Good IT PMs are also well organized, diplomatic but assertive, and can handle stress and ambiguity.

While the salary information below reflects all project managers, IT project managers can typically expect a pay range of $126-195K, according to Glassdoor.

As the name suggests, network and computer systems administrators are responsible for maintaining computer networks in companies, schools, or corporations.

On an average day, these IT specialists might install network hardware and systems, troubleshoot, evaluate network performance, or introduce measures to keep information secure. As their skills are often needed at odd hours, they tend to work more than 40 hours a week.

To support users effectively, network and computer systems admins should have expertise in network technology (e.g., in routers, VPNs, and LAN/WAN networks), and disaster recovery, along with problem-solving and communication skills.

Web development is an exciting and diverse field that involves developing and testing the layouts, interfaces, navigation, and various functionalities of websites.

Web developers ensure optimal site performance and a satisfactory experience for users as they navigate an organization’s website. Front-end developers control how the website appears to the user, while back-end developers build the internal workings of a website.

These specialists should be well acquainted with programming languages for the front end (e.g., HTML and CSS) or back end (e.g., PHP, Java, Ruby), user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) principles, content management systems (CMS), and even search engine optimization (SEO) best practices.