4 highest paying jobs with a tech degree

If building a successful career in technology is what you have dreamed of, then you are in luck. 

When it comes to earning a high salary, tech’s the way to go. While the best-paying jobs in technology require a few years of experience, it is definitely worth the hard work. 

Since the Information Revolution began in the 20th century, the demand for talent in this field has increased tremendously, opening up doors for seemingly endless opportunities.

In 2020 and 2021, the number of tech jobs increased by 6.9%. And by 2030, the IT sector is expected to grow by 13%.

The US Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) reports the median annual wage for technology occupations was US97,430 in 2021, more than double the median wage for all other occupations.

What’s more, with a few years of experience in the field, the expected salary for these positions can increase to more than US$100,000 annually. 

For those in search of the best-paying jobs in technology, look no further. 

Here is a list of the four tech jobs with high salaries: 

Acquiring more experience in the field leads to a higher paying salary. Spencer Platt/AFP

Software engineering manager

This person is in charge of other software engineers on a project. They lead their team in designing and developing software, programmes, and applications. 

To land this role, you’ll first need a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

An MBA would help too, as many companies prefer to recruit those with management and leadership skills. 

You’ll need to show several years of experience in the industry as well, plus skills in programming languages, of course.

Though it can take longer for you to become a manager, pursuing this career does pay off as it is one of the best-paying jobs in technology. Income is around US$106,188 per year.

Product manager

Essential to a company, product managers are responsible for determining the parameters of a product and delivering it to fulfil the customers’ needs, all while keeping the company’s objective in mind. 

While not an easy job, product managers are paid well for their hard work. According to Glassdoor, they earn up to US$127,775 annually in the US.

To qualify for this role, you should have strong analytical, time management, and organisational skills, as well as a degree in product design or engineering. 

Data scientists are among the highest-paid in the field of technology. Source: David McNew/AFP

Data scientist

Probably one of the highest-paying jobs in technology, data scientists earn around US$125,078 annually. 

Already high in demand, data scientists are set to see their employment rate increase 36% by 2031 — which is much faster than other occupations.

Data scientists are expected to understand and analyse complex data to help their company make better decisions. 

Their responsibilities include creating data models, coding, and identifying concerns in the business.

If you are interested in mathematics, statistics and programming, equip yourself with a bachelor’s degree in data science for a successful career ahead. 

Cloud architect

Next on the list of best-paying jobs in technology is a cloud architect. 

What exactly is a cloud architect? In simple terms, they are IT professionals who can translate technical project requirements into components and design.

Those in this role are responsible for devising a company’s cloud computing strategy. This includes regularly managing and monitoring the cloud services. 

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for this role in the US is US$197,524 per year.

To become one, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in computer science in a related field and knowledge of operating systems, cloud security, computer networking, and programming languages.