Jun 23, 2024
In 2023, the tech sector's average yearly salary was $111,193. This figure is over twice the general salary for all jobs in the U.S. Even with a slight drop from $111,348 in 2022, the dip in tech salary growth hasn't lessened the appeal of IT jobs. With 82% of tech workers expecting the sector to grow in the next five years, and firms valuing AI and data analytics skills, the need for skilled IT professionals is on the rise.
Almost half of the tech workforce is either job hunting or open to new roles. Yet, classic benefits like health insurance, PTO, and 401k plans are still key. On the other hand, benefits such as stock options, allowances for remote work, and wellness programs are becoming popular. These perks are vital, especially as tech wages increased by +$7,898 after adjusting the data.
This detailed guide on technology salaries for 2024 offers insights into IT careers, skills needed, educational background, and advancement opportunities. It covers earnings from roles like software developers to AI architects. Knowing what you can earn in different tech roles is essential, whether you're starting out or aiming higher. It helps you navigate the tech industry's changing scene.
Check out the highest-paying tech jobs and plan your IT career for the future. Jobs in IT are growing about twice as fast as in other fields. The chance for a successful IT career has never been better.
Get ahead by exploring our guide and the tech salary report. It will prepare you for your next professional steps. Let's explore the promising realm of tech salaries in 2024 together.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
The Rising Demand for IT Professionals
Employment Growth Statistics
Key Sub-Specialties in IT
Top Employers in the Tech Industry
IT Career Outlook: 2024 and Beyond
Key Trends in Technology Employment
Software Development and Engineering Salaries
The Role of Cybersecurity in Today's Tech Landscape
Data Science and Analytics: Lucrative Career Options
Cloud Computing and DevOps Salaries
Emerging AI and Machine Learning Careers
The Impact of Education and Certifications on Salaries
Geographical Variations in IT Salaries
Conclusion
Key Takeaways
The average annual salary for tech sector roles was $111,193 in 2023.
82% of tech professionals predict significant industry growth over the next five years.
Nearly half of tech professionals are exploring new job opportunities.
Focus areas such as AI and data analytics are driving demand for skilled tech professionals.
Enhanced benefits like work-from-home stipends are essential to attract top talent in the tech industry.
Tech salaries saw an average increase of +$7,898 due to a weighted data adjustment.
The Rising Demand for IT Professionals
The technology sector is booming, expecting to grow by 15% from 2022 to 2032. This growth means more jobs for IT pros. The median annual wage of $104,420 for computer and IT jobs is way above the overall average.
Employment Growth Statistics
The need for IT professionals is skyrocketing due to the evolving tech world. Businesses depend more on digital tools, security, cloud services, and AI. This boosts the demand for skilled IT workers.
The high salaries in different IT roles show how rewarding these careers can be:
Job Role
Median Salary (2023)
Software Developer
$130,160
Computer and Information Research Scientists
$145,080
Computer Network Architects
$129,840
Information Security Analysts
$120,360
Computer Systems Analysts
$103,800
Database Administrators and Architects
$117,450
Computer Programmers
$99,700
IT Manager
$169,510
Key Sub-Specialties in IT
IT is full of key areas, each vital for tech's growth. Top IT fields include:
Cybersecurity
Data Science
Cloud Computing
Artificial Intelligence
Software Development
Data scientists and AI engineers are leading the charge in AI tech. Their salaries, up to $254,250 for seniors, show why these skills are in high demand.
Top Employers in the Tech Industry
Tech giants, especially in Silicon Valley, are always on the hunt for top IT talent. Companies like Alphabet, Microsoft, and Apple are major players. They set the standards and offer great pay, as seen in the latest salary guide.
IT Career Outlook: 2024 and Beyond
The IT job market is set to shine in 2024 with lots of exciting roles and competitive pay. Tech jobs are growing faster than many other areas. This trend brings strong salaries and a need for experts in this field.
Key Trends in Technology Employment
The tech employment scene will change a lot in 2024. Let’s check out the big trends:
Increased Adoption of AI and Machine Learning : Machine Learning Engineers have top earnings, up to $459,000. AI is key for businesses now. Learn more in this tech career guide.
Rise of Cybersecurity Needs : Cybersecurity Engineers make around $149,985 a year. Keeping online information safe is essential.
Cloud Technology's Growing Influence : Cloud Solutions Architects can earn about $200,000. They are leading the push for more cloud use. Find out more about tech careers’ financial benefits here.
Cloud Security Engineers and Data Scientists have average salaries of $122,153 and $128,429. Their skills are in high demand as companies strengthen their data and security efforts.
Furthermore, 62% of managers plan to hire more contract IT workers in 2024. This shows a flexible strategy for meeting tech needs. Plus, 93% of tech employees are looking for new chances, showing a lively job market. For more on IT salaries, visit this analysis.
Software Development and Engineering Salaries
In 2024, software developer salaries keep changing. Factors like experience, location, and industry demand play a big role. On average, they earn between $92,565 to $147,524. This shows a wide range depending on their skills and specializations.
Education deeply affects how much engineers make. A whopping 73% have a bachelor’s degree, and 20% have a master’s. Adding skills in OS kernels, big data, and machine learning can boost their salary. They could see increases of 17.55%, 17.35%, and 11.71% respectively.
Looking at pay for both new and seasoned programmers shows interesting patterns. Beginners earn about $80,452 to $93,943. But experts with over 15 years can make between $120,779 and $132,603. Where you live also matters. California is the top-paying state, offering an average of $115,477. Washington, New York, and Oregon also pay well.
Some industries like finance pay very well, with an average salary of $129,889. This shows the high rewards in these kinds of jobs. Tech fields like real estate, healthcare, IT, and legal also pay good salaries. They follow the larger tech salary trends.
Here's a table of average salaries for various software engineering roles as of December 2023:
Job Role
Average Salary
Software Developer
$105,636
Software Test Engineer
$96,218
Software Consultant
$135,245
Software Engineer Lead
$141,523
The future for software engineers looks bright globally. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 25% growth in these jobs from 2022 to 2032. They predict about 189,200 job openings each year. For anyone entering or advancing in this field, knowing these salary trends is key.
The Role of Cybersecurity in Today's Tech Landscape
Cyber threats are constantly changing. This makes cybersecurity increasingly important. The sector focused on computer security works tirelessly to fend off various cyber threats. This ensures our information stays safe. It's interesting that the global cybersecurity market is expected to jump from $170 billion in 2017 to $202 billion in 2023. This showcases how crucial this field has become.
The need for cybersecurity experts is on the rise. Industry growth is expected to hit 11% in 2023 and an impressive 20% by 2025. However, there's a big gap between available jobs and skilled professionals. Over 1 million cybersecurity positions might remain unfilled by 2023.
Essential Skills and Certifications
Gaining expertise in cybersecurity involves learning several technical skills and earning certifications. Skills in ethical hacking, penetration testing, and strong security measures are in high demand. Holding a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential can greatly boost your career.
Fields like finance, healthcare, and government pay well to draw in top security talent. Cybersecurity professionals have a median salary of $81,000. But a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) can earn between $174,000 and $242,000 by 2024. With cyberattacks increasing, the demand for skilled defenders of our digital world has never been higher.
Job Role
Average Base Salary (2024)
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
$174,000 - $242,000
Network Security Architect
$127,000 - $153,000
Cybersecurity Engineer
$102,000 - $150,000
Cloud Security Engineer
$103,000 - $136,000
Security Sales Engineer
$94,000 - $114,000
Application Security Engineer
$98,000 - $136,000
Penetration Tester
$88,000 - $112,000
Malware Analyst
$92,880 - $100,225
To understand cybersecurity's vital role, it's important to explore the skills and qualifications needed. Facing cyber threats requires strong security practices. For those dedicated to this cause, cybersecurity promises rewarding opportunities and a path for growth.
Data Science and Analytics: Lucrative Career Options
Data science careers are among the top opportunities in tech today. They are expected to grow by 36% from 2021 to 2031. This info comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data scientists and senior data analysts are key in making data-led decisions. They use numbers to uncover insights from big datasets.
The pay in this field is quite appealing. Starting data scientists make about $75,900 on average. People with more experience can get $130,000. At the top levels, incomes can hit $165,000. In places like Silicon Valley, the average is even higher—$133,204.
Specific jobs in data science and analytics offer even better salaries. Here’s a quick look:
Role
National Average Salary
Business Intelligence Analyst
$87,886 per year
Software Test Engineer
$97,689 per year
Database Administrator
$94,537 per year
Business Intelligence Developer
$96,214 per year
Data Warehouse Architect
$128,042 per year
Nice salaries aren’t the only plus. Making data-driven decisions and analyzing numbers are key to success. A master's degree can mean even higher salaries. For example, master's holders in database administration earn 20% more than those with just a bachelor's.
Data science careers are not just high paying. They also have great growth potential and job satisfaction. As many sectors rely more on data, the need for experts grows. Now is a great time to enter the data science field.
Cloud Computing and DevOps Salaries
Cloud computing and DevOps are booming. They offer attractive salaries for those with the needed skills. Jobs like Cloud Architects, Systems Engineers, and DevOps Engineers are in high demand. As more companies use cloud services, these careers can be very rewarding.
Top Cloud Computing Roles
Different roles in cloud computing need unique skills and knowledge:
Cloud Systems Architect: They design and manage the cloud setting.
Cloud Network Engineer: Keeps and improves network connections in the cloud.
Cloud Security Analyst: Protects cloud systems to keep them safe.
Cloud Database Administrator: Looks after cloud databases, ensuring they run well and are secure.
Salary Ranges and Key Skills
The pay for roles in cloud computing and DevOps is high because these jobs are much needed and require special skills. Knowing about cloud architecture and IaaS is important. Here are some recent salary numbers:
Job Role
United States
United Kingdom
India
Cloud Systems Architect
$106,100
£63,732
₹19L
Cloud Network Engineer
$150,866
£35,183
₹6L
Cloud Security Analyst
$94,796
N/A
₹8,14,386
Cloud Database Administrator
$180,000
N/A
₹501,660
Emerging AI and Machine Learning Careers
In 2024, the AI career landscape is changing fast, opening up many opportunities for tech pros. As AI technology demand rises, knowing the roles and pay is key. These insights help those wanting to advance in tech.
AI Engineer : Focuses on designing and making complex AI systems, with a yearly salary of $114,000 to $212,000. They need skills in programming, natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), neural networks, and cloud computing.
Data Scientists : Play a key role in analyzing data to create strategies based on data. They make between $118,000 and $206,000 a year. They are skilled in statistics, machine learning, data processing, and programming.
Machine Learning Engineers : Get paid $126,000 to $221,000 annually. They are experts in ML theory, algorithms, model deployment, and programming. They work on building and deploying ML models for real-world use.
AI Researchers : Develop new AI algorithms and earn $100,000 to $186,000 a year. They need a PhD, excellent research and programming skills, and know how to analyze data.
Robotics Engineers : Make and work on smart robots. They know software development, hardware engineering, and robotics principles. They earn $109,000 to $200,000 a year.
AI Product Managers : Lead AI product strategy, earning $138,000 to $238,000 annually. They know AI/ML, product management, and how to lead teams.
Ethics in AI Specialists : Work on the ethical use of AI tech, making $85,000 to $170,000 a year. They understand AI technologies, ethics, and have strong communication skills.
Notably, companies like Cruise, Stripe, Wish, Meta, and Google offer top pay for machine learning engineers, over $250,000 a year.
The location affects machine learning engineer salary. Cities like New York pay more because living there costs more.
For more on salary trends and needed skills, check out this guide on machine learning engineer salaries.
Boost your pay in this fast-growing field by learning computer vision, NLP, Python, deep learning, and machine learning.
The Impact of Education and Certifications on Salaries
The IT sector is changing fast. Educational qualifications and certifications are key in deciding salaries. People with IT education and the right certifications often earn more. This shows the big IT education impact on careers and money.
Value of a Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree
Having a bachelor's degree in IT opens up entry-level jobs like Help Desk Support Manager, which pays around $102,500 on average. But, if you go further and get a master's degree, your career and salary can soar. For example, Network/Cloud Architects make about $165,750 on average. This shows how advanced degrees in IT really pay off.
Importance of Relevant Certifications
Certifications are a clear pathway for professional growth in technology. Certifications like Google Cloud - Professional Cloud Architect, which pays an average salary of $200,960, or Google Cloud - Professional Data Engineer, with an average salary of $193,621, can greatly increase how much you earn.
A study found that 71% of those who got a Professional Cloud Architect certification recently saw a big salary boost. Also, 62% of tech leaders say they pay more to get skilled people. This shows how valued certifications are. They meet the industry's needs well.
Job trends also show that tech people with certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate can widen their skills. This makes them more employable and increases their salary options. Certifications really help with growing professionally. For example, Data Security Analysts earn about $147,500 and Network Security Engineers around $140,000 a year.
Combining higher education in IT with relevant certifications can boost a professional's appeal in the job market. Tech salary trends clearly show how important education and certifications are in building a successful IT career.
Geographical Variations in IT Salaries
IT salaries change a lot depending on where you live. The cost of living and big tech hubs have a big impact on wages. Knowing these differences can help you plan your career better.
Influence of Cost of Living
The cost of living plays a big role in IT salaries. For example, Silicon Valley has high living costs, so pay is higher there. The U.S. federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. But in places where it's more expensive to live, tech professionals make much more. In 2024, the average full-time worker in the U.S. is expected to earn about $7,875 a month.
High-Paying Tech Hubs in the United States
Some U.S. cities are known for high IT salaries. Silicon Valley and Seattle stand out in this regard. Data engineers in Seattle make a lot. The average data engineer in the U.S. makes $121,418, plus extra cash of $27,499. But in places like San Francisco and Seattle, pay can be even higher than this average.
City
Average Salary (USD)
San Francisco
$141,190
Seattle
$126,724
New York
$133,884
Chicago
$125,368
Boston
$132,539
These differences in pay across cities show how competitive the IT field is. Each place has its own set of chances and challenges. Staying up-to-date with these trends can make a big difference in your career.
Conclusion
In summary, the IT sector's need for skilled workers is growing. This means more chances for better pay and career progress. Our thorough look at different job salaries shows a booming industry. We see this in roles from Software Engineering Managers to AI Engineers. Our 2024 IT job pay wrap-up shows that keeping up with trends and getting the right certifications can boost your salary in tech.
To make the most of a tech career, understanding the effect of education and certifications is key. Also, knowing the differences in pay across locations and staying up-to-date with market trends is important. Jobs like Cloud Architects and Information Systems Security Managers are in high demand. They offer great pay because of their needed skills. Adapting and learning continuously are essential to succeed in this changing tech world.
The outlook for tech jobs is exciting because of advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Working for top companies like Google, Facebook (Meta), Amazon, and Apple comes with high pay. This makes a career in IT very appealing. This guide is a key tool for anyone looking to understand tech salaries in 2024. It gives you insight, preparing you for the future of tech jobs.
For more on top tech jobs, see the highest-paying tech careers for information on roles and pay.