7 High-Paying IT Jobs
Discover high-paying IT jobs, learn what their responsibilities include, average salary, and the education you’ll need to land a job in the field.
April 13, 2023
Article
Over the next decade, jobs in computer and information technology are projected to grow much faster than average*. Whether you want to increase your salary or pursue a specialization, you’ll find the resources you need to advance your IT career here.
Build advanced IT skills and earn recognized credentials with industry leaders
Skills you'll gain: Software Engineering, Agile Software Development, Computer Programming, Software Engineering Tools, Application Development, Programming Principles, Software Architecture, Communication, Cloud Applications, Scrum (Software Development), Software-Defined Networking, System Programming, Leadership and Management, Project Management, Business Analysis, Cloud Computing, Databases, IBM Cloud, Information Technology, Operating Systems, Python Programming, Risk Management
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Skills you'll gain: Project Management
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Skills you'll gain: Project Management, Strategy and Operations, Collaboration, Communication, Leadership and Management, Planning
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Ready to take the next step up from your entry-level IT role? Positions in this field earn more than twice the average salary for all occupations, so you have many high-paying career paths and specializations to choose from*. As a mid-level or advanced IT professional, you may begin to focus on an industry niche such as InfoSec, cybersecurity, cloud computing, or business IT. Higher-level IT professionals can also hold IT management or digital product management roles. Learn more about how to prepare for more advanced IT roles and how Coursera can help:
How to Write an Information Technology Resume (With Examples)
How to Become an Information Security Analyst: Salary, Skills, and More
IT project managers typically have strong project management skills, like project planning, risk assessment, budgeting, and more. A technical background isn’t always required, but it can be beneficial.
Read more: What is a Technical Project Manager? (How to Become One)
Organizations in various sectors and industries are in critical need of improved cybersecurity. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 32 percent growth information security analyst hiring from 2022-2032*. Cybersecurity jobs include security systems administrator, penetration tester, security engineer, and cryptography engineer.
Read more: 10 Cybersecurity Jobs: Entry-Level and Beyond
*US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Occupational Outloook Handbook: Information Security Analysts, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm." Accessed
A background in technology is required knowledge for a wide range of in-demand jobs in computer science, including software developers, data scientists, data engineers, and information technology (IT) administrators. If you want to do truly cutting-edge work in this field, you can also pursue a career as a computer and information research scientist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these highly-educated and highly-paid experts typically have a master’s degree in computer science, and earn a median annual salary of $122,840 per year.
However, you don’t have to pursue a career in computer science to benefit from a background in technology. Technology has become increasingly important in the fields of medicine, manufacturing, logistics, and even agriculture. It’s also critical context for CEOs, managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs, who may not need to work directly with technology themselves but must keep abreast of emerging opportunities for innovative new business models and products.
*US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer and Information Technology Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm.” Accessed February 1, 2024.