If there’s one truism in tech, it’s that the only constant is change. This mantra also applies to the tech job market. As the technologies powering our world evolve rapidly, so do the skill sets needed to deploy, support, and optimize them. To secure one of the best paying tech jobs with long-term IT career potential, you’ll need to what skills are in demand, which tech roles need to be filled, and the trends shaping the future of the tech job market.
Do you remember when:
- ISDN (128 Kbps) was blazing fast internet service?
- A cellular pager was a cutting edge mobile device?
- BASIC and COBOL were in-demand programming languages?
If you fail to keep your tech skills current — like a Geocities page from the ‘90s — you run the risk of becoming a relic of the past. But if you understand the challenges businesses face and how their tech needs will evolve over time, you’re well-positioned to profit from ever-changing job market shifts. Let’s dive into data on high-paying tech occupations, and what makes them solid bets for the future.
Top paying IT jobs: Three future proof IT occupations
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) continuously publishes employment projectionsOpens a new window outlining demand for various occupations over the next 10 years. Three of the best paying tech jobs stand out as having particularly bright futures: IT manager, cybersecurity analyst, and software developer.
All three occupations commanded a 2024 median salary 2x greater than the median wage of $49,500 for all U.S. occupations, with IT manager salaries climbing as high as 3.5x. Additionally, projected growth in each of these occupations far exceed the 4% employment growth estimates among all U.S. occupations between 2023-2033. In the case of information security analyst, growth is expected to be >8x higher!
| Tech Occupation | 2024 median salary | Projected Growth (2023-33) |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $124,910 | 32.7% |
| Software Developer | $133,080 | 17.9% |
| IT Manager | $171,200 | 17.4% |
So what does it take to land a job in each of these roles? Let’s explore what each occupation entails, key responsibilities, why these jobs will be in demand in the future. We’ll also explore commentary from working IT professionals in the Spiceworks Community on what it takes to get into each of these professions.
IT manager: The strategic leader
IT Managers are important in organizations that rely on technology to accomplish business objectives – which, in the modern era is virtually all of them. An IT manager, also known as an information systems manager, oversees a company’s IT team and its technology infrastructure, helping to ensure seamless operation of technology systems, security, and alignment of IT strategy with business goals.
This multifaceted role — which is common in organizations of all sizes, especially larger ones — requires a blend of technical expertise and strong leadership skills. Because these leaders make tech decisions that impact the bottom line, IT managers are highly valued making their position among the best paying tech jobs today.
IT manager responsibilities
- Planning, directing, and coordinating IT-related activities within the organization
- Managing IT staff, including hiring, training, and performance evaluation
- Developing and implementing IT policies and procedures
- Ensuring the security and integrity of the company’s data and systems
- Managing IT budgets and vendor relationships
- Researching emerging technologies and recommending strategic upgrades
Why IT manager roles are future-proof
As businesses increasingly rely on complex IT systems, the demand for skilled information systems managers to oversee technology operations will grow. Their strategic role in ensuring efficiency and return on investment in an increasingly digital world makes them indispensable.
Additionally, the need for strong leadership and the ability to bridge technical gaps further elevates the value and earning potential of IT Managers. Within the IT management occupation, exist many titles spanning IT manager, Director of IT, Chief Information Officer (CIO), and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) roles.
Skills required for a career in IT management
Because the role spans both technical and business realms, effective IT managers must possess a blend of technical knowledge, soft skills, and emotional intelligence. One IT manager in Spiceworks, who goes by the handle Captail Frostbite, summed up the dual nature of what the role demands well: “IT management isn’t for everyone, being a good tech doesn’t mean you’ll be a good manager. As a manager, you need a whole new set of skills, and to be honest many aren’t skills you’ll learn in a class.”
Speaking to the need for emotional intelligence and business savvy, he commented: “You’ll need soft skills like communication to manage a team of workers as well as managing the expectations of the people you report too. You’ll need to be able to wrap your head around budgets, value, ROI, Initial cost, cost over time, opportunity cost, etc. In other words, you’ll need to be able to speak and act intelligently on how, when, and why money is spent in tech.” On the managerial skills of being able to lead, delegate, and trust others, he wisely advised: “You’ll need to be able to accurately extract need from want when dealing with everyone. You’ll need to be able to hand work off to someone else knowing they won’t do it the way you would but that doesn’t mean they aren’t doing it right.”
To put this advice in another way, if you are a well-rounded individual who excels technically, possesses advanced interpersonal skills, and you’re willing to take on the responsibility of leading a team or guiding the technology strategy for an organzation, IT management might be a rewarding career path to follow.
Cybersecurity analyst: The digital guardian
In an age where of increasingly common and sophisticated cyberattacks, data breaches pose serious risks to a business, the role of a cybersecurity analyst has never been more critical. These professionals are digital guardians responsible for protecting an organization’s computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, threats, and cybercrime. Cybersecurity analysts, also known as information security analysts, might work service multiple businesses via IT services companies or consulting firms, or they might work internally to protect a single organization from cyberthreats.
The potential financial and reputational damage resulting from breaches contribute to the high value placed on their expertise, making it one of the best paying tech jobs and a secure career path.
Within the cybersecurity occupation, there are many titles, spanning from Information Security Specialist to Analyst,Information Technology Security Analyst (IT Security Analyst), Network Security Analyst, to Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO).
Cybersecurity analyst responsibilities
- Monitoring networks and systems for security breaches and intrusions
- Conducting security assessments and vulnerability testing
- Implementing and maintaining security software and tools
- Developing and enforcing security policies and procedures
- Educating employees on security awareness best practices
- Staying up-to-date on the latest cyber threats and security trends
- Developing effective response strategies to security incidents
Why cybersecurity analysts roles are future-proof
As security technologies evolve, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. Business must be constantly vigilant as threats escalate. This ever-changing threat landscape has resulted in the continuous need for professionals who can anticipate, prevent, and respond to cyberthreats.
While businesses strive to enhance their cybersecurity capabilities, they will require cybersecurity professionals to secure their data and devices (including new technologies as they emerge) from malicious actors.
Additionally, the shift to remote work, a proliferation of devices, our increasing dependence on e-commerce and online platforms, and the rise of AI-based hacking tools should increase demand for cybersecurity workers over the next decade.
Skills required for a career in cybersecurity
While there is a laundry list of certifications or technologies you might want to pursue to get into a career in cybersecurity, one IT professional in Spiceworks, who goes by the name WeirdFish, offered a more helpful look at the bigger picture from a potential employer’s point of view: “Getting into cybersecurity is the phrase du jour … it certainly can be lucrative, but it’s also hyper-competitive. Consider this: What kind of person would an organization trust to protect it? That person is being handed the keys to the kingdom.”
On the broad topics necessary to get into cybersecurity, he added: “You can’t protect something if you don’t know what you’re protecting … One has to demonstrate that they’ve done it, not just read about it. Cybersecurity starts with successfully configuring routers and switches to protect one’s own network from outside forces, even consumer-grade ones at home. The path toward it? Be a successful network administrator and engineer first.”
Software developer: The digital architect
Software developers are the creative minds behind the applications that power our digital world. They are responsible for imagining, designing, and implementing software applications used on computers, mobile devices, and websites.
This dynamic field encompasses a wide range of specializations and technologies, such as programming and scripting languages, web-based platforms, frameworks, and APIs.
Job titles in the software development might include Application Developer, Software Engineer, Software Architect, and more.
Software developer responsibilities
- Collaborating with designers, product managers, and other stakeholders to define software requirements
- Developing and implementing software solutions based on specifications
- Writing or leading a team that writes clean, efficient, and well-documented code
- Working through issues as they arise to ensure proper functionality
- Deploying software applications, sometimes working with IT teams to integrate with hardware systems
- Keeping up with the latest programming languages, frameworks, and development methodologies
Why software development roles are future-proof
From mobile apps and web platforms to complex enterprise systems powered by AI, demand for new software solutions continues to grow. Software developers have the ability to translate big ideas into functional software that can move businesses forward, even resulting in new revenue streams, making these professionals highly sought after across various industries.
The continuous evolution of technology, demand for new features, and desire to innovate through software means that skilled developers with in-demand skills will be able to land some of the best paying tech jobs, with ample opportunities for growth.
However, there is some risk in the field posed by AI automation. Demand for lower-level software positions such as computer programmers — who are more focused on coding than designing software — is expected to contract by 10% between 2023-2033.
Skills required for a career in software development
While there are many specializations within the software development field across programming languages, platforms, industries, and disciplines, often software developers will need to integrate multiple technologies and systems to write fully functional software.
One IT professional in the Spiceworks Community, who goes by the username Dzee, talked about the skills necessary to become a competent software developer focusing on web apps: “If you’re interested in web development as a ‘full stack’ developer who can make a whole website alone, you’d become familiar with everything from HTML, CSS, and Javascript, and a few newer technologies on the front-end, to C#, Java, Python, or PHP on the web server, to SQL to store and retrieve data. All these languages are applied within various frameworks like MVC (or an older C# type called Webforms), Ruby on Rails… anyway the list goes on and on.”
In terms of first steps, Dzee commented: “Start with a ‘hello world’ example, but I’ve always found the best way to learn is to try to make something specific that I need. It keeps the motivation up, and it’s actually useful and fulfilling when finished … A good way to just get started is also to take a course at a local community college. Getting a place to ask questions, getting assignments with deadlines, and collaborating with other students is a great way to get off the starting line.”
Investing in your tech future over the long term
Choosing a career path is a significant decision, and the technology sector offers numerous paths for professional fulfillment and financial success. The roles of IT Manager, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Software Developer stand out as not only being among the best paying tech jobs today but also as future-proof careers with strong growth potential over the next decade.
By developing the necessary skills and staying open to learning in this ever-evolving field, you can position yourself for long-term success and a rewarding career, if you’re willing put in the work required to land one of these coveted positions.
Source – https://www.spiceworks.com/it-careers/best-paying-tech-jobs/