18 Highest-Paying Tech & IT Jobs for 2024

As technology continues to play a crucial role in our daily lives, the demand for skilled information technology (IT) professionals continues to rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the IT field is projected to grow 15% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

With this growth, there is also an increasing demand for highly paid professionals who possess the necessary skills and expertise to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation. In this article, we present the essential guide to the highest-paying IT careers, outlining the necessary education, skills, and certifications required to pursue these lucrative opportunities. Whether you are just starting out in the field or looking to advance your current career, this guide provides valuable insight into the top-paying IT jobs and the steps you can take to achieve your professional goals.

Let’s start with the median salary for “Computer and Information Technology Occupations,” as reported with recent data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The median annual wage for this group was $104,420 in May 2023, which is more than double the median annual wage for all occupations ($48,060).


Key Takeaways

    • As technology evolves, IT professionals are in high demand—so much so that they earn, on average, double the annual wage of other occupations.
    • IT offers various sub-specialties like cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, and more.
    • Individuals can strategically advance their career with certifications, networking, and tailored job-seeking strategies.

IT Career Paths: Sub-Specialties and Top Employers

Information technology (IT) is a diverse field with a wide range of career paths and sub-specialties. To help you navigate the vast landscape of IT careers, we’ve broken down some of the most in-demand and highest paying IT jobs by sub-specialties. From software development and cybersecurity to data analysis and cloud computing, each IT sub-specialty requires a unique set of skills and expertise. By exploring these sub-specialties, you can gain a better understanding of the different paths available within the IT field and identify which area may be the best fit for your interests and career goals.

Here is just a partial list some of the notable specialties within IT:
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data science and analytics
  • Cloud computing
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Network and systems administration/telecommunications
  • Web development
  • Mobile application development
  • Software development
  • Database administration
  • Project management
  • User experience (UX) design
  • Technical writing and documentation
  • Technical support
  • Digital marketing and e-commerce
  • IT consulting
  • IT auditing and compliance

Each of these specialties requires a unique set of skills and knowledge, and may require specific certifications or degrees. However, they all offer opportunities for career advancement and high salaries in the growing field of information technology.

And since information technology now encompasses every sector of the economy, top employers across nearly all industries are on the lookout for IT talent.

Companies that regularly make the lists of top IT employers include:
  • Alphabet (Google)
  • Cisco
  • Salesforce
  • NVIDIA
  • Intuit
  • Adobe
  • Citrix Systems
  • Apple
  • Microsoft
  • Accenture
  • Meta
  • Intel
  • Ultimate Software
  • Workday
  • World Wide Technology

Infographic showing the occupation, education needed, and salary for the highest-paying IT jobs

IT Career Outlook, Jobs and Salary Ranges

Let’s take a closer look at a handful of some of the best IT jobs — with job descriptions, educational requirements and median salary compiled by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Occupation

Description

Salary

Education Needed

Software Developer A software developer is responsible for designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software programs and applications. $130,160 Bachelor’s
Computer and Information Research Scientists Computer and Information Research Scientists are responsible for inventing and designing new computing technologies and finding innovative uses for existing technologies in order to advance fields such as business, science, medicine, and engineering. $145,080 Master’s
Computer Network Architects Computer Network Architects are responsible for designing and implementing data communication networks for organizations, ensuring that the networks are secure, efficient, and meet the organization’s needs. $129,840 Bachelor’s
Information Security Analysts An Information Security Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization’s computer networks and systems from cyber threats by developing and implementing security measures and protocols. $120,360 Bachelor’s
Computer Systems Analysts A Computer Systems Analyst is responsible for analyzing an organization’s computer systems and procedures and recommending solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. $103,800 Bachelor’s
Database Administrators and Architects Database Administrators and Architects are responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining an organization’s database systems, ensuring that they are secure, efficient, and meet the organization’s needs. $117,450 Bachelor’s
Computer Programmers Computer Programmers are responsible for writing and testing code for software applications and programs, troubleshooting errors and bugs, and collaborating with software developers to ensure programs meet client needs. $99,700 Bachelor’s
IT Manager An IT Manager is responsible for overseeing an organization’s technology infrastructure, including hardware, software, and networks, and ensuring that the technology aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives. $169,510 Bachelor’s

The Best Paying IT Jobs

The field of Information Technology (IT) offers high salaries, job security, and opportunities for career advancement in a constantly evolving field. Whether you’re just starting out in IT or looking to advance your career, pursuing one of these top-paying IT jobs can be a smart investment in your future.

Comprehensive.io lists these as some of the most popular jobs in tech right now for 2024:

Occupation

Salary Range

Education Needed

Software Engineer (Staff – Senior Levels) $147,000 – $226,000 Bachelor’s
 Product Designer $123,000 – $188,000 Bachelor’s
 Data Scientist $154,000 – $212,000 Master’s
 Site Reliability Engineer $120,000 – $175,000 Bachelor’s
 Senior Data Analyst  $125,000 – $174,000 Bachelor’s
Product Manager (Staff – Senior Levels) $130,000 – $208,000 Bachelor’s
Engineering Manager $173,000 – $234,000 Bachelor’s
Technical Program Manager $147,000 – $201,000 Bachelor’s
Principal Software Engineer $207,000 – $282,000 Bachelor’s
Machine Learning Engineer $158,575 – $254,250 Bachelor’s

IT Career Advice: How Can You Earn a High-Paying Job?

Whether you’re launching an IT career by searching for entry-level jobs, looking to advance to a higher-level role or seeking to switch to a new specialty, here are a few job search tips and best practices for IT professionals.

Earn a Certification

Relevant work experience is the gold standard, but the IT industry has a wealth of certification opportunities, the best of which demonstrate that you possess advanced skills and a commitment to learning. The wide variety of certifications means you can gain skills that are highly relevant to your areas of interest or even to specific jobs you aspire to. Here is a quick rundown of some of the most valuable IT certifications.

Do Some Networking

Attending industry conferences (physically or in some cases virtually), linking in to relevant groups on LinkedIn, joining industry associations, participating in local/regional events, reaching out for informational interviews — these are all great ways to make important contacts, sharpen your people skills and boost your profile as an IT professional.

Complete an Internship

For entry-level IT professionals, internships don’t have to be at Apple or Google to be immensely valuable as a way to gain experience and build your skill sets. Especially helpful if you’re just starting out, IT internships are a great way to build your confidence as well as your resume.

Tailor Your Resume

Speaking of your resume, a little extra work goes a long way when it comes to differentiating yourself from the competition in the eyes of potential employers. You may dream of being a videogame designer; but if you’re applying for a job as a web developer, develop a customized version of your resume that is tailored to the position.

Prepare For The Interview

This means doing your homework to know the organization you’re applying to and the market it competes in. Demonstrating such knowledge marks you as bright, diligent and motivated. The same goes for knowing the technical requirements of the position and demonstrating your aptitude for the skill sets required to succeed on the job.

IT Degree Options: Earning Your Master’s Degree Online

Information technology is well-known to be one of those fields where you don’t need a degree to be successful. And sure, there are plenty of programming pros who’ve dropped out of high school, honed complex skills that for some reason come easy to them, and jumped straight into a high-paying career at a tech giant that serves free poké bowls and seared scallops for lunch.

But that’s obviously not a realistic pathway for everyone. And as the IT jobs landscape continues to get more competitive, having an academic degree in a sought-after specialty is likely to give you a competitive edge — just as it does in countless other careers.

Among the many other helpful advancements in information technology, it is now easier than ever to earn an IT degree online. Whether it’s a certificate, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s University of Cincinnati Online IT programs feature robust curriculums in many of the areas discussed above, and enable you to work on a flexible schedule and earn your degree in as little as one year*.

*Program completion times will vary based on multiple factors including degree level, previous education, and full- or part-time status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Are the Most In-Demand IT Jobs in 2024?

In 2024, some of the most in-demand IT jobs includes roles in areas like software development, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Specific roles might include software developers, data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, cloud architects, AI engineers, and technical support specialists.

Do All IT Jobs Pay Well?

While many IT jobs offer competitive salaries, pay varies depending on factors such as job role, education, experience, skills, location, and employer. Overall, IT offers a wide range of career paths with varying salary levels—allowing individuals to find opportunities that align with their skills and career goals.

How Can I Get Started in IT?

If you aren’t currently working in information technology, it can feel daunting trying to break in from the outside. However, anyone motivated to gain relevant education, skills, and experience can land a fulfilling career in IT. Typical steps include pursuing a degree or certification, gaining hands-on experience (through internships, projects, or entry-level roles), and networking with professionals in the field.

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