by Patrick Glynn
The Information Technology (IT) field is one of the most consistent field to work in in 2023. There are plenty of high-paying jobs both from entry-level and senior positions. Before we jump into what those jobs are, let’s talk about why IT is such a great field.
IT is a Great Field to Work In
IT work is pretty consistently in high demand. As of January 2023, the tech unemployment rate was just 1.8%—half what the national average is.
As technology advances, businesses need more IT professionals to help build, maintain, and update existing systems. These jobs—whether they cover software, web development, implementation, network management, or another IT sector—are spread across all industries. As we’ll detail when we get to some of the highest-paying IT jobs, these positions can be held at just about any type of company, from government agencies to tech companies to financial institutions.
IT spending is projected to be around $4.5 trillion in 2023—over a 20% increase from 2022. Much of this spending will come from paying worker salaries, and many IT jobs have high-paying wages due to demand from the positions.
Highest-Paying IT Jobs
There’s no better time to get into the IT field than now, so let’s look at some of the best paying IT jobs in 2023. (All of the upcoming salary projections will come from Glassdoor, Indeed or Salary.com and don’t always include total compensation.)
Software Engineer
A software engineer is someone who creates and tests computer software. They are often responsible for developing and maintaining software applications. Software engineers typically work in a team environment, so good communication skills are essential.
The average salary for a software engineer is around $118,000.
Big Data Engineer
Big data engineers are in very high demand as companies increasingly collect and analyze large amounts of data. A big data engineer is responsible for developing and managing the systems that collect and analyze this data. They normally have a background in computer science or mathematics, and they must be able to effectively manage large datasets.
The average yearly salary for a big data engineer is close to $100,000.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer
An artificial intelligence engineer is someone who designs and builds computer systems that can think and learn like humans. They work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and automotive.
As artificial intelligence becomes more popular, the demand for artificial intelligence engineers will continue to grow. AI is used in a wide range of applications, from self-driving cars to medical diagnoses to search and chat functions.
This is one of the highest-paying jobs in tech. The average yearly salary range for a lead artificial intelligence engineer is $170,000.
Network Engineer
A network engineer is responsible for designing, executing, and maintaining a company’s computer networks. They work with routers, switches, firewalls, and other networking hardware and software.
Network engineers are in high demand in part due to the ever-growing popularity of cloud computing technology. With more and more businesses moving to the cloud, there is an increased need for people who can manage these networks.
The average yearly salary for a network engineer is over $90,000.
Computer Engineer
A computer engineer is someone who designs and builds computers and computer systems. In a world that is essentially one big computer, computer engineers are responsible for designing and testing new hardware, and improving computer systems and how they’re built.
The average annual salary for a computer engineer in the United States is just north of $50,000.
Security Engineer
A security engineer job is a branch of cybersecurity that protects computer networks from unauthorized access and attacks. They work with a variety of security software and hardware, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus programs.
Cybersecurity positions are one of the most in-demand positions in all of tech. Entry-level security engineers earn around $90,000 per year, and those with more advanced experience make around $130,000.
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps engineer is someone who helps develop and implement the processes that allow the software to be created and released quickly and efficiently. They work with a variety of tools, including version control systems, build automation tools, and testing frameworks. DevOps professionals are responsible for ensuring that software is developed and released quickly and efficiently.
The average salary for a starting DevOps engineer is just north of $100,000, and more experienced DevOps engineers make close to $200,000, making it one of the highest-paying jobs you can have in IT.
IT Project Manager
An IT project manager is someone who oversees any IT project. This can include planning, budgeting, executing, and implementing any new IT system, software, or other project. They work with a variety of teams, including software developers, testers, and managers to make sure projects are delivered on time and with successful results.
The average yearly salary for an IT project manager in the United States is $95,000.
Product Manager
Where a project manager may oversee the delivery of an entire project, including products, marketing, and more, a product manager oversees the major outcome of a product. They work towards a vision and set of goals while also managing a team of developers by setting goals and vision for the project, then helping execute on those visions.
The average IT product manager earned around $110,000 in the United States.
Programmer
A programmer is someone who writes and tests code. They work with a variety of programming languages, like Java and Python. Coding is the basis for many of the jobs on this list, but a programmer typically focuses just on that.
Though the average starting salary for a programmer is under $100,000, a little experience and proven results can help a programmer exceed the six-figure mark.
Web Developer
A web developer is someone who develops and maintains websites. They work with a variety of programming languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and they often work within website management systems like WordPress or Squarespace.
A web developer, though, is different than a web designer, who focuses more on user interfaces and experiences.
The average salary for a web developer is over $80,000.
App Developer
An app developer is someone who develops, monitors, designs, and troubleshoots applications on phones and desktops. They work with a variety of programming languages, including Objective C and Swift.
There are nearly seven million apps out there to download and use. Someone needs to develop and maintain those.
The average salary for a starting app developer is around $85,000-$100,000.
Network Architect
A network architect is a person who designs and builds data communication networks, then also configures and manages the network to meet the business needs of an organization.
Network architects typically have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field such as computer science, and they can expect to earn on average an annual salary of $115,000 with a couple years of experience. Entry-level network engineers can earn around the $80,000 to $90,000 range.
Cloud Architect
A cloud architect is someone who designs and constructs cloud-based systems, and then helps maintain privacy to that cloud network. As more and more businesses adopt cloud-based systems, where data can be stored on non-physical hard drives in an office, the need for people who can design, build, and protect them will continue to grow.
The average yearly salary for a cloud architect is around $123,000.
Software Architect
A software architect is a senior-level position that involves designing and developing technical standards for software. They work with teams of developers to create blueprints for software, which outline how the application should be structured and how it will function and be applied in the real world.
Software architects typically have a high level of experience in the field. They can expect to earn a yearly pay of over $135,000.
Database Administrator
A database administrator (DBA) is responsible for the overall performance and security of a company’s database systems. They work with teams of developers to create, maintain, and protect the databases that store critical business information.
DBAs can expect to earn on average an annual salary of over $90,000.
Data Scientist
A data scientist is a professional who extracts insights from large data sets to help make business decisions in the IT sector. They use their knowledge of statistics, machine learning, and programming to analyze data and find trends in whatever area they are studying and tracking.
Data scientists typically have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field such as statistics or computer science, and they make on average over $125,000 per year.
Interested in a High-Paying IT Job?
The highest-paying IT jobs in 2023 will be those that require at least a moderate level of skill and expertise. That said, many positions can pay close to six-figures in an entry-level role if you have proper certifications and education. The roles that we highlighted indicate the future of the IT industry, and we can expect to see even more innovation and advancement in the coming years as social platforms and e-commerce become increasingly popular.
If you are looking for a career in IT, these are some of the best options available. If you’re looking to get your career going, find your next job by heading over to the Insight Global job board.
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