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Tech is a dynamic, fast-changing space. To succeed, employers need the best minds working on their solutions and infrastructure, which has made compensation a battleground for winning qualified talent.
Such stiff competition has led to a median annual wage of $105,990 across computer and information technology occupations, more than double the median annual wage (of $49,500) for all occupations in the US.
Since many companies are willing to pay top dollar for the right hires, ~$100k is really just the start in tech. Here’s a breakdown of the highest paying IT jobs in 2025 to help inform your own career path planning.
Why tech jobs pay well
Tech jobs pay well because they provide companies with the skills and expertise they need to stay competitive in today's digital economy. Other contributing factors include ongoing shortages of qualified professionals, unprecedented demand for IT workers through 2034 (at the rate of 317,700 openings per year), and the necessity of paying increasingly higher market rates to attract, hire, and retain top talent.
How we chose the best IT jobs
This is not just a list of the highest paying jobs in computer science, although pay did play a significant role. We also looked at quality of life, job security, career prospects, and professional development as important factors that contribute to overall job satisfaction.
- High paying. While total compensation ultimately comes down to seniority, location, and sector, we wanted to highlight exciting technical careers that have an average base pay of $100,000 or more. (All salary data sourced from Glassdoor.)
- Suitability for people with different professional strengths. Not everyone wants to code. And not everyone wants to be a people manager. It takes all kinds to make tech work happen, and our list of rewarding jobs reflects that range of career paths.
- Flexibility. Across the board, tech companies tend to be more flexible when it comes to work schedules. In fact, 97% of employers offer some location flexibility. Specialists from these top technology careers can work as in-house, hybrid, or remote employees.
- Positive growth prospects. Demand for the following roles exceeds supply. If you start upskilling this year, these careers should continue to offer good employment opportunities looking ahead. (All growth data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or ZipRecruiter).
- University degree optional. While a college degree helps, completing a high-quality online course that gives you all the required skills and career guidance is also a viable route for these jobs. Note: Some do require a few years of previous experience in tech.
The highest paying tech jobs in 2025
1. Software engineer
Software engineers write the code that powers everything digital, from smartphones to cars, medical devices, and even toys. These IT workers use programming languages and developer skills to build software for specific applications, usually as part of solutions and services owned by their employer.
The role offers aspiring tech workers many different specializations, including full-stack engineer, UI/UX designer, and web developer, which makes it a solid choice for a wide range of interests. Best of all, software engineering remains in-demand across nearly every industry, including retail, healthcare, and transportation. Employment is expected to grow 15% by 2034.
2. Data scientist
Data scientists gather, parse through, and leverage data — with the help of technology — to solve a specific problem. They use programming languages like SQL and other hard skills such as data analysis to weed out faulty data to then develop models that help leaders make decisions by finding hidden correlations or patterns.
Almost every industry now employs data scientists. Not only is data everywhere, any company can benefit from using it to inform decision-making. No wonder the World Data Science & AI Initiative estimates that by 2028, businesses will need 2.5 million data science and AI professionals globally.
3. DevOps engineer
DevOps engineers oversee the entire software development process to ensure software and information technology (IT) are aligned. They might code, assist with project management and QA testing, or do a bit of both, depending on the need. As such, they need to possess excellent project management skills.
Successful DevOps engineers also possess technical skills that help them integrate development and operations to streamline deployment. This includes automating workflows and infrastructure and maintaining continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) to ensure quick software releases. In short, they are the glue that maintains cohesion among diverse tech teams.
4. AI engineer
Artificial intelligence (AI) engineers develop and train AI applications that help companies increase efficiency and make better business decisions. They use machine learning algorithms and deep learning neural networks to build AI applications, pulling data from a variety of sources.
Not only does working in AI offer the chance to work at the forefront of technology innovation, it also provides an opportunity to develop products that could save lives, protect the environment, or change the way people live. And since AI is developing rapidly, there’s a high demand for people who can take the field even further.
5. Machine learning engineer
Machine learning engineers develop and work with the algorithms and software used by AI and machine learning tools. They create systems and software that use data to learn independently and make decisions. Since the role combines software engineering with data science, it’s something that software engineers may progress into after gaining some experience.
Common types of machine learning include supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. These are widely used in areas like predictive analytics, natural language processing, and recommendation systems. As an approach to generating AI, machine learning engineers are part of the next frontier redefining our world.
6. Database developer
Database developers design and implement new databases, modify existing ones for platform updates and changes in user needs, and keep data secure and up-to-date. Unlike database administrators, who ensure database systems are running properly, database developers focus on building out the best database architecture for an organization’s needs.
Database developers need in-depth technical knowledge of database languages, design, and administration. This puts them at the intersection of business intelligence and data science, but they tend to lean on their data science skills more than their business intelligence know-how.
7. Cloud architect
Cloud architects build and maintain an organization’s cloud computing system, letting startups and large companies alike create and scale up necessary infrastructure in just a few clicks. They work with cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure, and need a thorough background in cloud computing, as well as software development, big data analytics, and virtual workspaces.
Note that this higher-level role requires first gaining experience in related careers in the technology field: Software development, databases, or networking. An example career path for this role is cloud support associate (entry level), cloud engineer (mid level), cloud architect (senior level).
8. Information security analyst
Information security analysts protect sensitive company information and user data—both online and on-premises. They build efficient strategies and employ powerful tools to prevent and combat cyber threats. They also monitor their organization’s networks for security breaches and investigate when one occurs. As such, they need to stay up-to-date on new viruses and cyber attacks and how to prevent them.
They can even progress to working as information security engineers, who code the defenses that analysts use. This is a more technical role, but a start in analysis is a strong stepping stone to go down a more coding-heavy route.
9. Product manager
Product managers coordinate team efforts to build a specified digital product. They distribute tasks, set deadlines, and track the performance of employees involved. They also strive to detect potential problems before they occur and take measures to overcome them with minimal losses financially or reputationally.
Experienced PMs can juggle several products at a time, each one with its own respective team. As such, they’re able to align business goals and customer needs with product development, while comfortably talking to stakeholders and contributors across engineering, marketing, sales, and leadership teams. It’s important to develop a personal philosophy towards product management to thrive in this career. In addition, some product managers don’t need coding, but many of the better jobs in this career ask workers to have some coding familiarity.
10. IT manager
IT managers start in any tech role and gain enough experience in their chosen field to supervise others. IT managers need to have a good understanding of the requirements for different IT jobs and tasks, since they plan and coordinate the activities of teams and departments to make sure they deliver high-quality products for tech companies and non-tech companies alike.
Day-to-day tasks include: budgeting, resource planning and management, and IT operations and support. They’re instrumental in guiding IT strategies so they align with the organization’s needs, both current and in the future. A large part of their job is interfacing with stakeholders and managing relationships.
IT career advice: How to get the highest-paying tech job
Because tech employers are willing to pay such competitive salaries for top talent, it’s important to cultivate skills in your chosen profession to merit that level of compensation. The following tips can help.
Earn relevant certifications
Certifications in any tech field validate skills, increase your credibility as a professional, and help improve your desirability as a candidate. A quick search online will reveal which certifications are minimum requirements for your field and which accredited institutions you can earn them through, as well as required maintenance actions. It also helps to check with prospective employers on their policies as well.
Network online and in-person
Attending industry events and joining online platforms like GitHub or Stack Overflow are all important ways to grow software engineering skills and connections through collaboration and networking. Collaborating with other developers and sharing failures and successes demonstrates a commitment to knowledge sharing and shows off your teamwork skills. The good news is networking doesn’t have to be a drain with these tips.
Do an externship or internship
To land your first job in tech, you need some experience. Sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true. The best way to earn it is through an externship—where you get to work on a unique project with a real-life company that provides the hands-on experience you need to stand out with employers. (Internships are also helpful, but they typically involve longer periods of time working at a company, maybe not even on a tech project that will prove your bona fides).
Polish your resume and portfolio
Highlight relevant skills on your resume in the “Skills” section (which should be on the first page). This is a separate area where you list coding languages, technical capabilities, and soft skills relevant to a job application. It can be helpful to add proficiency in each skill and to list your strongest skills first, as they pertain to the role you are applying to at a company. Be sure to tailor your resume for each application!
Practice for interviews
Whether you’ve interviewed dozens of times or are new to the whole process, it can be nerve wracking when changing careers to show off your capabilities in a new interview setting. Practicing your responses to technical, behavioral, and other kinds of interview questions will set you up for a more successful experience. Be sure to use the STAR Method (situation, task, action, result) for framing your answers.
IT degree options: Degree vs. bootcamp vs. self-taught
So what’s the best path for securing a best-paying coding job in tech? While a college degree in computer science can be helpful, it’s not a barrier if you don’t have one. Here are your options.
College degree
Getting a college degree is a standard way to break into a tech career. With a four-year computer science, engineering, or related degree, you can learn the broad aspects of software engineering and other skills that contribute to workplace success. But it’s expensive, especially versus a professional bootcamp, and it often focuses on theoretical knowledge rather than the practical skills that employers are looking for.
Bootcamp
A bootcamp strikes the right balance between a degree and self-teaching. It provides a structured, guided approach to learning the required technical skills you’ll need in your new career while also offering enough flexibility to make the program fit your existing responsibilities and schedule. Plus, a bootcamp offers access to tutors, industry-seasoned experts, and a network of like-minded students and graduates to foster growth.
Self-taught
For individuals with an intense passion for a field, a proven track record of learning new skills by themselves, and enough time to dedicate to the experience, the self-taught path can be a good choice. However, it’s also typically the hardest, since it involves learning through trial and error—which can be challenging for the average aspiring professional.
Take the fastest path to a high-paying job in tech for you
Now that you know a bit more about some of the highest paying jobs in tech, you might be wondering what to do next. Should you use free online resources to learn new things? Or go back to college for a computer science degree? Or maybe try an online professional bootcamp?
Our quick quiz can help! In just a few minutes, you’ll learn which educational path is the best fit for you and your goals. So you can transform your career aspirations from a dream into reality.
FAQ
Do IT jobs pay well?
Yes, IT jobs can be an incredibly lucrative career. Even at the entry-level for lower earning tech professions, you can still bring in $70,000 to $80,000 a year in base salary, plus whatever else your total compensation package might offer (such as stock or bonuses).
What are the most in-demand IT jobs in 2025?
According to Indeed, cyber security, data analytics, and AI teams are experiencing the biggest talent investment in 2025. These fields also rank among the top-paying IT jobs in tech right now, due to the rapid growth of AI across industries. The good news: you can break into each of these fields with a bootcamp in cyber security, business intelligence analytics, or AI & ML.
What are the highest-paying non-technical jobs in tech?
Some top in-demand tech jobs don’t demand you know how to code. Examples are UI/UX design, project management, and business analysis. In fact, even some QA jobs such as manual QA don’t demand you know how to code. However, coding is a plus, as it helps you better understand developers’ pain points.
What are fun IT jobs that pay well?
The most fun tech jobs are those that merge software development with creative design aspects, such as UI/UX Design and game development roles such as game designer, gaming QA tester, and game programmer. These professions require a foundation in JavaScript, and it might also be worthwhile to look into C++ to get into game development.
What are the easiest IT jobs that pay well?
Web developer, product manager, and BI analysts are all considered easier IT jobs that also pay well. For example, the median annual pay for web developers is $95,380 per year, while the average salary for a BI analyst is $96,000 a year in the US. These are often considered entry-level roles to launch a career, so you can then specialize into something inspiring.
What are the highest-paying tech jobs I can get without a degree?
Switching to tech can land you a job that pays up to $80,000 a year without a college degree. These high-paying roles include data scientist ($98,901), data analyst ($69,546), and software engineer ($85,908). As you gain experience and skills, you can increase your compensation through promotions or switching roles. You may also receive additional pay through bonuses or equity.
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