Written By: Michael Gardon
You really can’t go wrong with tech careers. Technology is evolving, ever-changing and definitely here to stay. If you can land a career in tech then that means you will likely have a long and stable, prosperous career.
There are more and more non-technical roles in tech popping up, which are perfect for people who want to land a tech career without having to learn skills like software development, backend dev, or computer programming. Keep reading to discover the best tech careers!
Why are you scrolling for jobs, when you should be working on YOU? Reclaim time and build confidence to move your career forward, on your terms.
Quickstart Guide To Getting A Tech Career
- Update your resume. Getting a high paying tech career is competitive. Think about it like this: you’re selling the company on a major investment in you, so you need to do everything you can to get an edge. Investing a little money to have a professional resume writing service polish up your resume can be the edge you need. Check out our guide to the best resume writing services to get started today.
- Apply for jobs on ZipRecruiter. If you are looking for a tech career, we recommend ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free to use and you can apply for jobs with a single click. Get started with ZipRecruiter today!
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
12 Best Tech Careers
1. Software Developer
Median National Salary: $124,200/year
Education Required: While software developers can be self-taught, most jobs hiring are looking for candidates to have a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, math, or related technical degree.
Number of Jobs: 1,795,300
Job Growth: 25% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A software developer is one of the most common tech careers you’ve probably heard about. Software developers create applications and software for the computer market.
For example, a software developer could develop a mobile gaming app. This is a high-in-demand tech career, expected to grow to 28.7 million in 2024.
2. Information Security Analyst
Median National Salary: $112,000/year
Education Required: You’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in a technical field to land this job.
Number of Jobs: 168,900
Job Growth: 32% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: The role of an information security analyst is to organize and execute a company’s security measures so its computer network remains protected. Their role is to keep their organization’s information safe and guard against data breaches.
3. Program Manager
Median National Salary: $164,070/year
Education Required: To work in program management, you will need a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or a technical field.
Number of Jobs: 557,400
Job Growth: 15% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Program managers can work in a variety of industries but tech program managers are among one of the highest-paid. A program manager is in charge of managing and overseeing projects.
In contrast to project managers who also work in project management and have a short view of projects, program managers have a long view.
Do you want to work in tech or expand your knowledge? Check out our guide to the best IT certificates.
4. Project Manager
Median National Salary: $95,370/year
Education Required: Project managers should have an educational background in business or computers with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or business.
Number of Jobs: 881,300
Job Growth: 6% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: Project managers manage projects through planning, monitoring, executing, and controlling. Their role is to ensure the success of the project by managing the team, project scope, budget, and other factors that influence the project’s outcome.
5. Data Scientist
Median National Salary: $103,500/year
Education Required: Data scientists can work in this role with a Bachelor’s degree in data science or a computer-related field with many jobs requiring a master’s degree.
Number of Jobs: 168,900
Job Growth: 35% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Data scientists examine and analyze data. They’re tasked with reviewing and analyzing data then, using the results to create a plan for an organization.
6. Web Developer
Median National Salary: $80,730/year
Education Required: To work in this role, you should have an Associate’s degree or professional certificate to land an entry-level web developer job with many positions requiring a Bachelor’s degree.
Number of Jobs: 216,700
Job Growth: 16% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A web developer is in charge of creating and maintaining websites. The term often gets mixed up with web designers who manage the website’s design appearance but, a developer’s job has to do with the inner workings of a site like:
- Performance
- Capacity
- Traffic
- Content development
To learn more, check out our web developer job description.
7. Computer Systems Analyst
Median National Salary: $102,240/year
Education Required: Computer systems analysts should have a Bachelor’s degree in computer/information technology, mathematics, or a related field.
Number of Jobs: 531,400
Job Growth: 10% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Computer systems analysts play a major role in the building of computer systems. They work with other professionals like architects and programmers to review the computer system and processes.
8. IT Manager
Median National Salary: $164,070/year
Education Required: IT managers will need to have a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology.
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Number of Jobs: 557,400
Job Growth: 15% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: An IT manager works with the computer’s information system. It involves planning, direction, and monitoring of the hardware, software, and network of the information system.
Related: IT Resume
9. Sales Manager
Median National Salary: $130,600/year
Education Required: A sales manager will need a Bachelor’s degree but some jobs may only require a high school diploma.
Number of Jobs: 554,700
Job Growth: 4% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: A sales manager is in a supervisory role for the sales team. They manage and lead the sales team, running the day-to-day operations in the sales department. This can include:
- Setting sales targets
- Measuring performance
- Coaching sales employees
10. Computer Research Scientist
Median National Salary: $136,620/year
Education Required: A computer research scientist will need to have at least a Master’s degree in computer science or a related field. Many jobs require a professional or doctoral degree.
Number of Jobs: 36,500
Job Growth: 23% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: Computer research scientists solve complex computing problems. They build and improve computer hardware and software through theoretical foundations of information and computing.
11. Network and Systems Administrator
Median National Salary: $90,520/year
Education Required: To work as a network and systems administrator, you will need a Bachelor’s degree in information science or a computer-related field. Some jobs only require an Associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate.
Number of Jobs: 339,900
Job Growth: 2% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: Network and systems administrators run the day-to-day operations of networks. They work in the upper tier of the IT industry for organizations.
12. Computer Support Specialist
Median National Salary: $59,660/year
Education Required: Computer support specialists should have at least an Associate’s degree with many jobs requiring a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree.
Number of Jobs: 914,100
Job Growth: 5% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: A computer support specialist provides support to computer users and companies. This is a customer service-based role that works directly with users to provide technical support.
Are you interested in exploring other tech careers? Check out our guide to the highest paying tech jobs.
Requirements And Skills To Work A Tech Career
A tech career can be lucrative and rewarding, but it requires a specific set of skills and qualifications. The requirements and skills needed to work in tech can vary depending on the specific job, but there are some common qualifications and abilities that are generally sought after.
Requirements
- Education: A degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field is often required for technical roles.
- Experience: Many tech jobs require prior experience in a similar role or industry.
- Technical skills: Proficiency in programming languages, software development tools, and other technical skills relevant to the job.
- Analytical skills: Ability to analyze complex problems and develop solutions.
- Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills to work with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
- Adaptability: Ability to learn new technologies and adapt to changing environments.
Skills
- Programming languages: Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, or JavaScript.
- Database management: Knowledge of database management systems and SQL.
- Web development: Familiarity with web development technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Cloud computing: Understanding of cloud computing platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
- Machine learning: Understanding of machine learning concepts and experience with tools such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
- Cybersecurity: Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and experience with tools such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and vulnerability scanners.
These are just some of the requirements and skills that are important for working in a tech career. The specific requirements and skills will vary depending on the job and industry.
Best Places To Find Tech Careers
There are plenty of places you go to find tech careers online including online job posting sites, freelance job marketplaces, tech job boards, and social media networks.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter has millions of jobs posted on their site. You can easily browse through tech job postings and apply to jobs of interest.
For more information, read our ZipRecruiter review.
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
Pallet
Pallet is a personalized platform that focuses on community-based hiring. Pallet job boards are curated, with the job seeker in mind.
CareerCloud’s Executive Editor and Podcast Host, Mike Gardon, curates jobs that are fully remote, upwardly mobile tech positions, or tech positions located in growing mid size cities with lower cost of living.
Indeed
This is a general job website that you can use to easily search for careers in various industries including tech. We recommend using the keyword fields to find the tech role you’re searching for in your geographic region or remotely.
For more information, read our Indeed review.
Hired.com
Hired.com is a tech job board. Unlike other job boards or websites that offer job postings in all industries, you can visit Hired.com for tech-only jobs. They specialize in tech job hunting. To get started, you can complete your profile to let companies apply to interview you.
Dice
Dice has over 70,000 tech jobs available that you can search and apply to. They also provide career path tips, salary estimates, and more.
Linkedin is the social network for career goers. It’s the perfect place to network online and find tech jobs that might not be published on job boards yet. You can also go to the Jobs sections of the site to find jobs that are published for hire. Use this free social platform to make connections and mingle with peers in the tech industry.
For more information, read our LinkedIn review.
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder is a job search platform catering to work roles in all industries. They call themselves the most trusted source for job opportunities. They have resources and personalized recommendations available to you as well.
For more information, read our CareerBuilder review.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor shatters the glass ceiling in the workforce. They provide transparency among careers that didn’t exist before. Browse Glassdoor Jobs to find jobs to apply for. You can also read employee reviews to get a feel for the organization and company culture, along with real salaries from current and former employees, an overall organization score, and more.
For more information, read our full Glassdoor review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some careers that use technology?
Examples of careers that use technology include:
- Software developer
- IT manager
- Web developer
- Database administrator
All the jobs shared in the list above are tech careers you can look at pursuing.
What is the highest paying job in tech?
The highest paying jobs in tech are going to be management-based like project managers or program managers or heavily-tech-based roles like full stack developers and data scientists. Generally, the more complex and technical a job is, the higher the salary might be.
How do I find a tech job?
Finding a tech job involves research, diligence, and preparation. First, make sure you have a resume and cover letter ready. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated to show all your education, experience, and skills. Visit job boards and websites to apply for tech jobs and don’t forget to network throughout the process. Also read our guide on how to get a job in IT.
What are the top 5 technology careers in demand?
The most in-demand technology careers are:
- Data scientist: this role is about managing and deciphering complex data sets to improve performance.
- Cybersecurity engineer: this job is the backbone for ensuring a company’s cyber defense system.
- Machine learning engineer: this role helps integrate artificial intelligence into systems for better efficiency, time savings, and other benefits.
- Full-stack developer: a front-end and back-end developer of applications, helping a business solve problems with UX, product efficiencies, and network design, among other areas.
- Product manager: this job helps manage the product life cycle and ensures it stays on target to meet all performance objectives.
The Bottom Line
There are plenty of opportunities in the world of tech. Whether you want to work on front-end problems or provide more behind-the-scenes support, there are many career paths you can take working in tech.
To find the best tech career for you, check out ZipRecruiter.
