If you want to work in IT, chances are you’re looking for the highest-paying IT jobs out there.
With so many job options and their varying requirements, it might be difficult to identify the one that best matches your interests and skills.
That is why you will be pleased to learn that we have compiled a list of the highest-paying IT jobs in this article. We will present you with a selection of professions and provide you with further information that may be useful in your quest to obtain one of these positions.
Therefore, if you’re interested, make sure to read all the way to the end!
Key Takeaways
- The highest paying IT jobs are Information systems security manager, blockchain engineer, data scientist, big data engineer, and DevOps engineer, among others.
- You should work in IT because of the various career opportunities, competitive salary, opportunity to maintain a good work-life balance, and future prospects.
- To land a career in IT, you need to consider your formal education as well as other qualifications.
- Deloitte, PwC, Canonical, and Comcentric are among the companies that offer the highest paying IT jobs, including cybersecurity, systems engineering, project management, and more.
- Look for open employment slots, analyze your expectations, acquire IT skills, interact with IT professionals, and get a degree before embarking on a career path in IT.
13 Highest Paying IT Jobs
Now that you understand why and how to get started in the IT sector, let’s take a look at some of the highest-paying IT jobs in the world.
#1. Information Systems Security Manager
The information systems security manager is in charge of safeguarding the company and its data by preventing hackers from gaining access to internal data, removing computer viruses, and, more broadly, managing the company’s security breaches.
This role is critical since a corporation can not only lose crucial data but also face fines if security breaches occur. Therefore, to become an information systems security manager, you must first have a bachelor’s degree in cyber security.
This type of education will get you an entry-level job, and as you get more experience and potentially further your formal education, you will be able to move up the company ladder.
As technology advances and more significant breakthroughs occur in the industry, the demand for cyber security expertise will only grow.
In terms of compensation, this is notably one of the highest-paying IT jobs in India by far, and the rest of the world doesn’t fall too far behind. The average annual salary is estimated to be $146,000.
#2. Blockchain Engineer
A blockchain engineer is in charge of creating, implementing, and maintaining a blockchain network.
Because the industry as a whole aims to invest $15.9 billion in blockchain solutions in 2024, blockchain engineers will be in high demand.
Any blockchain engineer should be proficient in crypto currencies and their operations, security layers, the consensus process, and, of course, programming skills.
While a degree is not required, having one in computer science, information technology, or technical engineering can give you a substantial advantage in the job market.
In terms of compensation, you can anticipate earning $150,000 each year. So, it is no surprise why blockchain engineering is among the highest-paying IT jobs.
#3. Data Scientist
Since 2013, the need for data scientists has surged by 344%. This is because companies require data scientists to examine complex data and thereby assist them in making better judgments.
Some of the responsibilities of data scientists include mastering machine learning methods, developing data models, coding in languages such as Python, R, and SAS, and identifying and resolving company issues.
To execute this job effectively, a data scientist must have a bachelor’s degree in data science or another computer-related degree. You will be able to enter the industry with a bachelor’s degree, but of course, if you have a master’s or a Ph.D., you will have more opportunities.
With good reason, the data scientist profession is one of the highest-paying IT jobs. The average yearly salary for a senior data scientist is $169,000.
#4. Big Data Engineer
A big data engineer might be in charge of extracting insights from the 2.5 quintillion bytes of data that get produced every day.
Big data engineers must be knowledgeable in Hadoop, Spark, NoSQL, and other data warehousing technologies in order to excel in this profession. They must also be proficient in programming, data visualization, and communication.
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, applied mathematics, or a related field is required to become a data engineer. In order to qualify for an entry-level position, you must also have experience, including internships and other qualifications.
However, all of your efforts will be rewarded because the annual income is around $128,000.
#5. DevOps Engineer
Within the field of DevOps engineering, there are two career pathways. You may work on a company’s development team and assist with network operations, or you could work on the operations team and assist with application development.
A DevOps engineer should be able to code, write scripts, and configure software platforms such as Git and Jenkins. You may be required to construct deployment architecture, connect cloud services to automate operations, or do shell programming in PHP, Python, and Ruby.
A higher-level academic education as well as appropriate industry experience are required to work as a DevOps engineer. This is an IT job with a starting salary of up to $119,000. It can also rise to $139,000 as your skills develop and your work experience grows.
#6. Software Engineering Manager
A software engineering manager’s job is to oversee the work of other software engineers on projects such as designing and creating software, programs, and apps.
As a result, a software engineering manager should be fluent in programming languages in order to appropriately oversee the process and assist the team in times of need.
A software engineering manager must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar field to be successful in this profession. In addition, they must have prior experience in the same or a similar role.
In terms of pay, software engineering managers make an average of $153,000 per year.
#7. Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions Architect
IoT solution architecture is one of the world’s highest-paying IT jobs. This position demands that the candidate keep track of the strategies employed in the development of IoT solutions.
Besides having knowledge of IoT solutions, you should be skilled in programming, conversant with machine learning, and have experience building hardware.
It is a demanding position with a competitive annual salary of $127,000.
To work as an IoT solutions architect, you must have a bachelor’s or, better yet, a master’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field.
There are various certificates that are recommended for those who want to work as IoT solution architects. The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), Amazon Certified Solution Architect, and Google Professional Cloud Architect are a few of these qualifications.
#8. Applications Architect
Application architects are responsible for overseeing the design and development of software applications.
They interact with internal stakeholders and development teams to monitor and document the development stages.
Application architects must have good analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication abilities in addition to the necessary software development knowledge.
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a similar subject is required to become an application architect. You will also require sufficient field experience.
In terms of compensation, you can expect to earn $125,000 each year.
#9. Mobile Applications Developer
As the technology industry has adopted the usage of smartphones and the development of mobile apps for maximum profit, mobile application development has become one of the most demanding professional pathways.
As a result, there are numerous job prospects in this field. You will be able to stand out among the thousands of other applicants if you have an undergraduate or graduate degree in a comparable technology field.
In addition to your formal education, you will have an advantage if you have past experience in a similar role. Planning, coordination, communication, teamwork, and, of course, technical expertise are among the skills required.
This position is all about developing and maintaining software architecture, including application design procedures, testing guidelines, component integration, and other responsibilities.
In terms of compensation, you can expect to earn $102,000 per year on average.
#10. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer
AI engineers must deal with the complicated networks of algorithms that make up AI.
To make the AI function like a human brain, AI engineers must be skilled in software development, programming, data science, data engineering, math, and statistics.
AI engineers should be proficient with coding languages such as Python, R, and Torch, as well as technologies such as machine learning, neural networks, and deep learning.
To enter the field, you must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline in addition to the skills listed above. Yet, your efforts will be rewarded with a yearly salary of $114,000.
#11. Cloud Engineer
A cloud engineer must design, create, and maintain cloud systems using hardware and software.
Cloud engineer is a broad term that includes more specific roles such as cloud architect. To work in this industry, you should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, information systems, or a similar discipline.
You should also work on developing skills such as design, planning, management, organization, and technical assistance.
Cloud engineers typically earn $132,000 per year, so it’s absolutely a career worth exploring.
#12. Full-Stack Developer
The number of full-stack developers is expected to reach 27.7 million by 2024, and it’s going to remain one of the highest-paying IT jobs in the world!
With such high demand, your prospects of landing a job in this role are excellent. Yet, if you want to stand out from the crowd, you should have a higher level of formal education in a comparable sector as well as practical experience.
Full-stack developers create user interfaces for websites, build servers and databases, and write code for mobile platforms. Therefore, design and software development skills and a firm command of both front-end and back-end coding languages are required.
As a full-stack developer, expect to earn $110,000 per year in compensation.
#13. Product Manager
A product manager is the individual who oversees the entire product development process, from concept to launch.
Product managers collaborate with technical teams to create a functional plan that may be used to establish a product portfolio, drive marketing campaigns, and contribute to an overall product strategy.
A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, business management, or a related field is preferable to excel in this profession. Product managers must also have skills such as time management, problem solving, lifecycle management, and so on.
This is an excellent career route for those who are interested in IT but do not want to be involved in coding or software development.
Product management is yet another high-paying IT job, with an annual salary of $113,000.
Why Should You Get a Job in IT?
Here are some reasons why you should get involved with the IT industry:
- There are numerous work options. As the globe becomes more technologically savvy, the demand for IT specialists increases. In fact, there were almost 246,000 IT jobs available in the United States alone last year.
- The salary is competitive. It comes as no surprise that IT jobs pay well. IT workers earn $97,430 per year on average, which is more than double the average for other occupations. Of course, salaries differ according to position, but there are numerous opportunities for advancement in IT as well.
- Great work-life balance. Because the IT sector is so adaptable, you will be able to strike a healthy work-life balance. Some jobs provide you with plenty of vacation time, while others allow you to work remotely. Some only hire you on a freelance basis, giving you a lot of freedom.
The information technology industry is quickly expanding, with the United States having the largest market. Trends such as 5G, blockchain, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence are said to have an impact on the top IT jobs in demand in the future.
How to Get a Job in IT
If you want to secure one of the highest-paying IT jobs, then you should consider the following two points:
Formal Education
You may require some type of higher formal education to boost your chances of landing one of the highest-paying IT jobs.
It differs according to the companies to which you apply. Some companies may be satisfied with your talents and experience alone, while others may require a bachelor’s degree or perhaps a master’s degree.
In that case, the following degrees may come in handy:
- Information Technology/Systems
- Computer Science
- Information Science
- Software Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Animation
- Cybersecurity
Each of these degrees provides specific learning relevant to the IT sector. Hence, based on your interests and professional goals, you can delve deeper into each to find the best fit for you.
When it comes to universities where you can pursue these degrees, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Carnegie Mellon University are the top three.
Certifications
While a greater degree of formal education will increase your chances of securing the highest-paying IT jobs, it is not required. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 25% of IT industry workers do not have a degree in IT.
There are many companies out there that will recruit anyone who can demonstrate the necessary abilities and knowledge, whether through previous work experience or other certificates.
Certifications in cybersecurity management, software development, data support, and cloud systems are among those to consider. These will lead to some of the highest-paying IT jobs without a degree.
When it comes to more particular certificates, consider:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from ISC2
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) from Cisco Systems
- IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+) from CompTIA
- Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) from Microsoft Corporation
These certifications are available to anyone and include self-paced courses, examinations, and a variety of other tools to help you get started in your IT career.
Companies That Are Hiring in IT
If you want one of the highest-paying IT jobs, you should look into the following companies:
- Deloitte
- PwC
- Canonical
- Comcentric
- Northrop Grumman
- Accenture
- Leidos
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- S&P Global
- Cognizant Technology Solutions
- Capgemini
- General Dynamics Information Technology
- Peraton
- MatTech International Corporation
These are the top 15 IT companies, with plenty of job opportunities for individuals who are passionate about the sector and want to learn more about it.
5 Tips to Start Your IT Career
Here are some things to think about before beginning your IT career:
- Look for open positions. The initial step should be to look for job opportunities. You may sort through dozens of job advertisements using a simple Google search or platforms like Linkedin. Once you’ve identified positions that appear to be a good fit, conduct some research on the companies that are offering these roles. The more you learn, the better judgments you can make to advance your career.
- Consider your expectations. Take a moment while job searching to consider what you are looking for in a job. For example, if you prefer coding and working alone, you might want to consider becoming a data scientist. But if you prefer to work on fresh ideas and be surrounded by other bright people, you can consider becoming an application architect.
- Acquire the necessary IT skills. Every IT position will demand that you have some level of competence in the field for which you are applying. As a result, you should devote time to learning the abilities required for the position. You can also conduct studies and work on building general IT skills, as most occupations will have overlaps with others that may require a somewhat different skill set.
- Connect with IT professionals. Networking with IT professionals is the best approach to getting started in the IT industry. LinkedIn is an excellent platform for connecting with industry professionals. You may search for specific companies, locate their employees, and connect with them. As someone wishing to enter the field, you might ask them questions or seek general guidance.
- Get a degree. Last but not least, it may come as no surprise that having a higher degree of formal education will significantly boost your chances of landing a career in IT. Not only that, but you will have all of the necessary skills to complete a task successfully. You will also have more chances of developing your career this way.
Final Thoughts
This concludes the top 13 highest paying IT professions that you should look into if you want to start a career in IT!
Being one of the fastest-growing industries, the demand for IT workers grows as well. As a result, there are many companies with the highest-paying IT jobs available.
However, before you begin applying, you should think about things like formal education, certifications, relevant skills, and previous experience.
Highest Paying IT Jobs FAQ
#1. What is the easiest high paying IT job?
IT professions are quite demanding because you are frequently dealing with modern technological software as well as company-sensitive data. Yet, if you have the necessary talents, you will be able to glide through your responsibilities. With this in mind, the position of Information Systems Security Manager might be considered the easiest among the highest-paying IT professions.
#2. What skills are required for IT jobs?
Every IT job requires a unique set of specialized abilities. Yet, there is a lot of overlap in the skill sets required for various roles. Hence, in general, an IT professional should have communication, management, and problem-solving skills, as well as industry-specific strengths such as proficiency in coding languages, the ability to deal with software, and experience with cloud systems.
#3. Can you get an IT job without a degree?
If you want to work in IT, you should get a degree in computer science, information systems, software engineering, or something similar. But it is not required. A higher level of formal education will boost your chances of getting a job, but you can find employment even if you only have relevant skills and past experience.
#4. Which IT field is the best for the future?
Almost all IT jobs have the potential to grow even more in the future. The IT sector is rapidly expanding, as is the demand for industry expertise. But data science is anticipated to be the most in-demand employment choice in the future.
