We live in a time of great change career-wise; jobs are lost to automation and others are changing what skills are required. With changes like these in the market, you may be considering a shift to a career in technology or, perhaps, you’re already in the field and want to advance. In many industries, there continues to be strong demand for highly skilled IT specialists.
Here’s a look at just some of the highest-paying IT jobs, according to Robert Half Technology’s 2020 Salary Guide and Simplilearn:
1. Big data engineer
Businesses need individuals who can transform large amounts of raw data into actionable information for strategy-setting, decision-making, and innovation — and pay well for people with these skills. The salary midpoint (or median national salary) for big data engineers is $163,250. These professionals typically create a company’s software and hardware architecture, along with the systems people need to work with the data. Big data engineers usually have a degree in computer science and expertise in mathematics and databases.
2. Mobile applications developer
Just look at your phone or tablet applications and it’s pretty easy to figure out why mobile applications developers are in demand. These IT pros need expertise in developing applications for popular platforms, such as iOS and Android. They also must have experience coding with mobile frameworks and mobile development languages, as well as a knowledge of web development languages. The salary midpoint for mobile application developers is $146,500.
3. Information systems security manager
Successful candidates for this hot job possess a technical background in systems and network security, but also have great interpersonal and leadership abilities. Analytical and problem-solving skills are key, as are excellent communication abilities. Information systems security managers also need to keep up with security trends and government regulations. Certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or CompTIA Security+ are often requested by employers. These IT pros earn a midpoint salary of $143,250.
4. Applications architect
These tech pros, who have a mean salary of $141,750, design the main parts of applications, including the user interface, middleware, and infrastructure. In addition to strong technical abilities, they need to be able to work well on teams and sometimes manage them. Excellent communication and planning skills are required for this job. It’s one of the highest-paying IT jobs because just about every company wants to improve existing applications or create new ones.
5. Data architect
These tech professionals are responsible for the complicated processes essential to making strategic business decisions. They translate business requirements into database solutions and oversee data storage (data centers) and how the data is organized. Ensuring the security of those databases is part of the job as well. The salary midpoint for data architects is $141,250.
6. Database manager
Just about every business has some sort of database, and these tech pros maintain and support a firm’s database environment, helping companies use data more strategically to meet their goals. And they get a midpoint salary of $133,500 to do it. Database managers are especially needed in large organizations with voluminous amounts of data to manage and must possess strong leadership and strategic planning skills
7. Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions Architect
The IoT solutions architect is a leadership role in overseeing the strategy behind the development and deployment of IoT solutions. In addition to understanding IoT solutions, one should also have strong programming skills, an understanding of Machine Learning, and knowledge of hardware design and architecture.
An IoT solutions architect is responsible for leading as well as participating in the activities around architecture and design, helping to develop an overall IoT ecosystem engagement based on the IoT Solution Framework, and translating business needs into solution architecture requirements.
The average yearly salary of an IoT solutions architect is $133,000.
8. Blockchain Engineer
A blockchain engineer specializes in developing and implementing architecture and solutions using blockchain technology. Due to the rapid rise of this technology, we already have a shortage of trained professionals for this role.
A blockchain engineer should have solid programming skills and a thorough understanding of the technologies behind Ripple, R3, Etherium, and Bitcoin as well as consensus methodologies and the security protocol stacks, crypto libraries, and functions.
The average yearly salary of a blockchain engineer is $130,000.
9. Data security analyst
Data security analysts must thoroughly understand computer and network security, including firewall administration, encryption technologies, and network protocols. The job also requires excellent communication and problem-solving skills and knowledge of trends in security and government regulations. A professional certification, such as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation, is beneficial. The salary midpoint for data security analysts is $129,000.
10. Software engineer
The mean national salary for software engineers is $125,750. They design and create engineering specs for both applications and software, which means they’re almost always in demand. Software engineers must have information systems knowledge and typically a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related area. Specific programming language knowledge is required, as well as strong communication skills.
11. Wireless network/cloud engineer
Wireless offices and mobile app development are just a few of the reasons these pros are in demand. Wireless network/cloud engineers need to be experts in every aspect of network technology and have a background in wireless equipment and standards, as well as WLAC design. Analytical and problem-solving skills are necessary for the job, and certification like the Certified Wireless Network Professional (CWNP) also is valuable. The salary midpoint for wireless network engineers is $123,750.
12. Data scientist
These IT professionals use their knowledge of statistics and modeling to make sense of complicated data from a variety of sources. To earn a midpoint salary of $125,250, data scientists need business savvy and communication skills in addition to statistics, mathematics, and computer science expertise. Knowledge of programming languages such as Python or Java is often necessary for the job as well.
13. Senior web developer
They gather business requirements and develop specifications for web-based applications, making web properties look consistent and attractive. They also provide technical assistance to web admins and integrate front- and back-end systems. Senior web developers typically require experience developing on PHP and Ruby on Rails sites and working with a variety of content management systems, as well as front-end development experience. Senior web developers also need several years of experience in managing web properties. The salary midpoint for senior web developers is $123,000.
14. Site reliability engineer
Site reliability engineers monitor application performance and must possess a thorough understanding of the application and code. They also can write code like any software developer, essentially bridging the gap between development and operations in application production, which is why this role is one of the highest-paying IT jobs — with a mean national salary of $122,000. They often work within technical support teams and help with support tickets or defects, as well as emergency support.
15. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) engineer develops, manages, and oversees AI initiatives within an organization. Some say it will soon rival data scientists in need of skilled professionals.
An AI engineer should have a deep knowledge of mathematics and statistics. In addition, an AI engineer will:
- Have solid programming skills and know Python, R, and Torch
- Understand how TensorFlow and other similar technologies work
- Have a clear understanding of technologies related to AI, including Machine Learning, Neural Networks, and Deep Learning
The average yearly salary of an AI engineer is $119,000.
16. Cloud Architect
A cloud architect deploys and oversees an organization’s cloud computing strategy. Some of the skills and knowledge required by a cloud architect include:
- A thorough understanding of cloud application architecture
- Knowledge of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure
- Good communication skills
A cloud architect typically is responsible for developing cloud architecture, developing a cloud strategy and coordinating the implementation and deployment of it, and ensuring application architecture and deployments in the cloud environment are done properly.
The average yearly salary of a cloud architect is $118,000.
17. Full-Stack Developer
It is difficult to pin down a definition for a full stack developer, but the closest description would be someone who is well-versed in both front-end and back-end development or someone with skills in every stage of development. Regardless of the variety of definitions, 2017 saw more demand than ever for these professionals.
Some of the knowledge and skills required to become a full-stack developer are:
- Technologies such as MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and js
- How to design and develop an API
- Coding and scripting
- The fundamentals of web development
- Basics of database technologies
A full-stack developer is usually responsible for designing and building APIs using MEAN stack technologies, ensuring the applications created are responsive and keep to the required standards, making sure the created code has integrity intact and implementing data security.
The average yearly salary of a full stack developer is $110,000.
18. Systems engineer
Systems engineers maintain and support the technical infrastructure at a company, including system hardware and software. When a system fails, they’ll debug and reconfigure that system, if necessary, making knowledge of the development process important to the job as well. Systems engineers must possess strong communication skills to translate technical information to nontechnical users. The salary midpoint for systems engineers is $106,000.
Although these are some of the highest paying jobs in technology, plenty of other fields like cybersecurity and digital marketing are short on skilled professionals so keep looking if none of the careers described above appeal to you. If one of them does sound like a domain you’d like to transition into, keep in mind that you have various options such as going to school or pursue certifications through online learning and begin the process of training for one of these new roles and follow the money into one of these highest paying jobs!
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SOURCE: https://www.roberthalf.com/blog/salaries-and-skills/the-13-highest-paying-it-jobs-in-2019
https://www.simplilearn.com/highest-paying-tech-jobs-article
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