Best-Paying Jobs in Technology – Top 10

Money is the motive. Right? Whether you are a senior tech worker or a potential employee looking for your dream job, knowing the best-paying jobs in technology is crucial to setting your goals. All in all, we all need to know what we’re working towards.

Technology will always be in demand, and new jobs are always sprouting up. With an ever-changing market, it’s difficult to keep an eye on what is in IT. We’ve got your back. Here are the top-10 best-paying jobs in technology.

If you’re just starting in the industry, we also noted the best entry-level tech jobs earlier this year.

10. Mobile Application Developer

Want to feel old? Apple released the first iPhone over 15 years ago. I just needed to share that so you, too, can feel like a dinosaur.

Anyway, mobile devices are here to stay. They’ve been around forever and have become a crux in modern society. You’re probably reading this on one right now! So, coincidentally, mobile development will also be here to stay.

A mobile application developer is just that. They specialize in software platforms such as Google’s, Apple’s iOS, and Microsoft’s Windows Phone platforms. Overall, they help companies create efficient and ever-running applications for these platforms. 

From working with designers on visual aspects to troubleshooting problems, mobile developers are there every step of the way in mobile application creation. They get compensated well for the work, too. Mobile application developer is one of the fastest-growing and best-paying jobs in technology.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes, designs, builds, and documents mobile applications as part of new projects, ongoing enhancements, or production-support activities for existing products.
• Solution design required for delivered functionality.
• Effectively communicates with project participants and business users on system-related issues and deliverables.
• Translates functional specifications to technical design/specifications for development, modifications, and integrations including system interfaces, reports, data conversions, and customization.
• Troubleshoots issues related to development and/or software bugs.
• Custom development as part of projects, ongoing support, maintenance, and enhancements.
• Ensures that a design being implemented is in line with best practices from a technical and architectural perspective.
• Competent with the mobile platforms listed above.
• Consistently writes performance-minded and highly-readable code using OO best practices.
• Utilizes knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the mobile application field.

Average Salary

According to Salary.com, a Mobile Application Developer makes $99,067.

9. Disaster Recovery Administrator

When the world is in peril, who’s there to save the day? In comic books, they look to superheroes to make things right. A disaster recovery administrator is just that, just with fewer tights.

Company disasters can occur at any moment. The recovery administrator takes the time and responsibility to make sure contingency plans are in place for an emergency.

From working with IT staff to creating press releases, the administrator is the fallback plan for an organization. They are always on-call and ready to prevent any problems. If problems do occur, they already have fixes planned.

Responsibilities

• Is responsible for establishing and maintaining the overall plans for executing all Disaster Recovery procedures.
• Understands the interdependencies of each department and its services.
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining detailed Disaster Recovery communications.
• Develops control plans through a change control process.
• Works with the IT technical staff to ensure that Disaster Recovery solutions are adequate.
• Makes sure the DR Strategy is in place, maintained, and tested as part of the regular operational life cycle.
• Develops and understands all testing necessary for a successful Disaster Recovery execution.
• Schedules and leads all Disaster Recovery exercises. As a result, provides ongoing feedback for risk management, mitigation and prevention.

Average Salary

According to Salary.com, a Disaster Recovery Administrator makes $110,890.

8. IT Security Engineer

Much like disaster administrators, IT security engineers are heroes in their own right. They get paid like heroes, too. For they are one of the most important and best-paying jobs in technology.

Security is crucial, even for smaller companies. A cyber attack can put a company and its employees at immeasurable risk. Data and information may be entirely accessible remotely, especially with the increase in cloud technology. If the entirety of a company’s information is remote, then it can be attacked easily.

The IT security engineer is in place to ensure these dangers do not happen. Basically, they make sure a company’s data is not at risk. And if an emergency strikes, they are there to defend the data using techniques they have already installed.

Like disaster administrators, security engineers are always on-call. They may work over an entire department, but they will be the first ones contacted when things go awry.

Responsibilities

• Assess, determines, and ensures security controls are in place.
• Ensures adequate vulnerability management, e.g., hardening, patching, pen-testing, scanning, and reporting.
• Performs software security evaluations and guidance for implementing security solutions
• Ensures Endpoint Security, Network Security, and Security Monitoring are efficient and working.
• Participates in incident responses.
• Recommends security improvements.
• Evaluates, designs, implements, systematizes, and documents security solutions and methods for public and private cloud environments, SaaS applications, and other cloud platforms.
• Works with security and IT stakeholders to implement a risk management program that allows for the identification and remediation of information security risks within the cloud.
• Examines and resolves security violations by providing analysis to document problems, identify sources, create workable solutions and provide recommendations on preventative measures.
• Tracks and reports incidents and considers improvements.
• Provides ongoing feedback to upper management.
• Is available for overtime work when needed.

Average Salary

According to Salary.com, an IT Security Engineer makes $115,898.

7. Cloud Engineer

Let’s get back to this cloud thing.

Cloud-based systems have been all the rage in the past few years. Ultimately, they allow a company’s data and work to be accessed remotely by employee users.

It’s a fantastic technology, and I’m sure most of you use it. In fact, your Macbook may be telling you you need to increase your cloud storage as we speak.

A cloud engineer makes sure all of these programs are functional, efficient, and safe. Whether creating a specific platform for a company or providing feedback and security for an existing one, the cloud engineer is the backbone of the remote computing power. This influx in cloud usage, along with its cruciality in company work, makes cloud engineering one of the best-paying and most-wanted jobs in technology.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains secure, resilient cloud processes and security.
• Secures business applications and computing settings across public, private or hybrid cloud infrastructures.
• Maintains a dependable, stable, and safe environment using configuration management solutions.
• Oversees and designs security systems and security configuration administration to reduce risk to data and information.
• Actively monitors, assesses, and recommends tactical and strategic initiatives based on new and emerging threats posing a risk to cloud computing environments.
• Manages systems for audit and security assessments to find weaknesses requiring attention.
• Tracks and reports incidents and considers improvements.
• Provides ongoing feedback to upper management.
• Is available for overtime work when needed.

Average Salary

According to Salary.com, a Cloud Engineer makes $126,111.

6. Solution Architect

Do you ever need a solution? We all do. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone analyze your data and make plans for you?

The solution architect is basically that for a company.

The solution architects are the liaisons for a business and its IT department. They take ideas and processes from the company and implement them in the corresponding technology.

If business leaders want a better mobile presence, the architect crunches numbers, comes up with a plan, and discusses it with the IT department. Consequently, they are excellent in communication, leadership, and overall software implementation.

Responsibilities

• Gather and analyzes requirements.
• Reviews business and functional requirements.
• Oversees the translation of requirements into design deliverables.
• Designs system architecture.
• Makes appropriate hardware and software recommendations in accordance with company standards.
• Enforces best practices and standards.
• Ensure that systems are properly integrated.
• Serve as a resource for technology/project development review and technical assessments.
• Ensure that the technical solutions meet business goals.
• Provide consultation and technical leadership in project life cycle planning.

Average Salary

According to Salary.com, a Solution Architect makes $122,588.

5. Integration Architect

We are hitting a common trend here. Architects make good money, simply put.

While the solution architect is more of a broad assignment, taking in all of the processes amongst domains, the integration architect is more specialized.

The integration architect takes a company’s idea and works with a team to integrate (ah?) it into processes and software. They are specialists in their corresponding software and have a strong analysis of industry trends.

Responsibilities

• Has 10+ years of integration, systems architecture, with broad subject matter expertise, preferably in a leadership role is a plus.
• Has proficient experience with integration methodologies, software development, and quality assurance standards, IT policies, procedures, and technology standards.
• Additionally, has broad knowledge of the public sector operations and the ability to identify patterns, inter-relationships, and opportunities to shape architectural strategies, architectural policies, and target architectures. Knowledge and understanding of industry standards, architecture principles, methods, and tools.
• Has strong customer service skills, leadership skills, organizational skills, and analytical skills.

Average Salary

According to Salary.com, an Integration Architect makes $118,828.

4. DevOps Engineer

Development operations, if you were wondering.

A company’s software and implementation need to be on the cutting edge of technology. It’s easy, and often, for a company to get left behind in the ever-changing world of IT. The DevOps engineer is the one to make sure this doesn’t happen.

Ultimately, the DevOps engineer uses a background in culture, software tools, and best practices to decide how a company should go about operating. They work between operations and development teams (duh) to make sure that all ideas are clear and implemented correctly.

The engineer works to shorten the development cycle, making application creation efficient and high-quality.

Responsibilities

• Applies and supports automation using DevOps tools such as Terraform, Ansible, Jenkins, Puppet, Chef. Gathers client requirements, evaluates options, and implements technologies that best suit the client’s needs.
• Designs, configures, troubleshoots and maintains computer systems.
• Deploys, manages, and maintains secure, scalable network systems using technology from a variety of vendors.
• Performs security, performance, and availability assessments.
• Learns (and shares) new skills through independent research, formal training, and industry events.

Average Salary

According to Salary.com, a DevOps Engineer makes $117,601.

3. Program Manager

Another to-the-point title, the program manager manages programs. They are also one of the best-paying jobs in technology.

Program managers oversee the majority of projects for a company. They create milestones, manage employees and report directly to figureheads. They are the ones that make sure every operation of a project runs smoothly and gets done on time.

Candidates must have an extensive background in project management, software development and communication.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages plans to ensure compliance with information technology industry standards, internal architecture and infrastructure protocols and established business practices. Acts as a liaison with internal and external audit groups to ensure compliance with any auditing standards for associated programs.
• Manages the overall risk of the program, which includes conducting risk and cost/benefit analyses and devising strategies to deal with unexpected crises and unresolved risks.
• Monitors program milestones to maintain continuous alignment of program scope with strategic business objectives. Ensures projects within the program are completed within established time and budget schedules. Recommends modifications to project managers to enhance the effectiveness toward the business result or strategic intent.
• Functions as a liaison with senior management, vendors, project managers, and other information technology professionals to communicate program strategy, direction, and changes. Presents information on program performance to elected officials and other stakeholders and resolves high-level conflicts by making broad decisions or negotiating with affected senior management.

Average Salary

According to Salary.com, a Program Manager makes $139,704.

2. Software Engineering Manager

We’re getting into big bucks here.

When a company needs to create anything software-related, they look to an engineer.

The software engineer manager oversees a team of engineers, making sure all creation goes smoothly. They are the ones to make sure coding is proficient, keep products are up to company standards and supply milestones.

The manager is the go-to with any software creation issues. Therefore, they must be extremely proficient in the applicable software and have great managerial skills.

There’s a lot of work and responsibility around the role of software managers, making it one of the best-paying jobs in technology.

Responsibilities

• Builds and supports a device management operation to control company-owned devices located both on-site as well as remotely in support of hybrid in-office and remote workforce.
• Works closely with the security team to build tools to enforce company security policies on end-user devices such as device encryption, malware protection, and firewall rules.
• Oversees and operates company software, patching initiatives to ensure all installed software is always up to date.
• Acts as a primary contact, and provides support, for all end-user applications and devices used within the company.
• Manages the company device inventory and supports vendor relationships.
• Manages user access to corporate applications using Single-Sign-On (SSO) as well as direct user accounts. Performs periodic access reviews when required by internal policy and compliance frameworks.
• Assists with customer support teams by providing advice, third-tier support, and device management for deployed systems used by customers.
• Pulls reports and prepares insights and recommendations.
• Continuously supports the development and improvement of operational processes to drive efficiency.
• Ensures deliverables are delivered on-time, on-quality, and meets the business needs.
• Completes all tasks in a timely manner.
• Interacts positively with peers, other departments, and vendors to identify operational issues.
• Provides corrective procedures to resolve problems.
• Is available for on-call responsibilities on a rotating schedule.
• Is available for overtime work when needed.

Average Salary

According to Salary.com, a Software Engineering Manager makes $144,554.

1. Enterprise Architect

Tech jobs can vary in salary amounts, mind you. A senior software engineer may make significantly more than a rookie solution architect. Declaring what the best-paying jobs in technology are is a fairly impossible task.

Furthermore, things are always changing. But, as of 2022, the highest average salary for an IT job is the Enterprise Architect.

The enterprise architect is toe-and-toe with a company’s vision. They know the minute details of how a company wants to operate and attack the market. From yearly goals to developmental timelines, the architect is at the forefront of it all.

To further produce the best outcomes for a company, the architect creates procedures, meets with vendors to create the best product and delivery system and works with IT departments to implement best practices.

They are the captain, and they get paid as such.

Responsibilities

• 10+ years of development, systems architecture, with broad subject matter expertise, preferably in a leadership role.
• Must have proficient experience with software development methodologies, software development, and quality assurance standards, IT policies, procedures, and technology standards.
• Broad knowledge of the public sector operations and the ability to identify patterns, inter-relationships, and opportunities to shape architectural strategies, architectural policies, and target architectures. Knowledge and understanding of industry standards, architecture principles, methods, and tools.
• Successful candidates must have strong customer service skills, leadership skills, organizational skills and analytical skills.

Average Salary

According to Salary.com, an Enterprise Architect makes $147,808.

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