43 of the Best Technology Careers (Plus Salaries and Duties)

Technology careers exist in nearly every industry, including finance, health care, manufacturing, retail, education and government. Some professionals write code, while others secure networks, interpret data, guide products, support users or connect technical solutions with business goals.

There is no single “best” technology career. A strong choice depends on whether you enjoy building, analyzing, explaining, designing, managing or troubleshooting. This guide introduces 43 options to help you compare the work before committing to a training path.

How to read the salary figures

Unless otherwise noted, the figures below are national average salaries, updated June 15, 2026. Job-site averages can change as new salary reports are added. They are not guaranteed offers and should not be compared directly with BLS medians without understanding the different methods.

Actual compensation depends on experience, location, industry, employer size, education and total compensation. For the 43rd role, this article uses the BLS May 2024 national median because it is an additional occupation not included in the benchmark list.

43 technology careers to consider

1. Technical support specialist

Reported average salary: $54,916 per year

Technical support specialists help users resolve hardware, software and account problems. They may install applications, document tickets, manage devices and escalate complex incidents to administrators or engineers.

2. Computer programmer

Reported average salary: $68,620 per year

Computer programmers translate specifications into code, test programs and correct defects. They often maintain existing systems and collaborate with developers, analysts and quality teams.

3. Data analyst

Reported average salary: $74,377 per year

Data analysts clean and examine information to answer business questions. They build queries, dashboards and reports, then explain trends, limitations and recommendations to decision-makers.

4. Web developer

Reported average salary: $77,791 per year

Web developers build and maintain websites or browser-based applications. Their work may involve interface code, server logic, databases, performance, accessibility and security.

5. Sales engineer

Reported average salary: $89,628 per year

Sales engineers connect technical products with customer needs. They conduct discovery, prepare demonstrations, answer detailed questions and help sales teams design credible solutions.

6. Network engineer

Reported average salary: $95,178 per year

Network engineers design, configure and monitor the systems that connect users, devices and locations. They troubleshoot outages, plan capacity and strengthen resilience and security.

7. Database administrator

Reported average salary: $94,537 per year

Database administrators maintain access, performance, backups and recovery for important data systems. They also investigate failures, apply updates and enforce security controls.

8. Cybersecurity specialist

Reported average salary: $98,832 per year

Cybersecurity specialists identify vulnerabilities and help protect systems, networks and information. Duties may include monitoring alerts, assessing controls, responding to incidents and teaching safe practices.

9. Software engineer

Reported average salary: $108,896 per year

Software engineers design reliable applications and services using engineering principles. They evaluate requirements, write and review code, test behavior and document decisions across the software life cycle.

10. Cloud engineer

Reported average salary: $121,261 per year

Cloud engineers design and operate infrastructure on cloud platforms. They automate deployments, manage permissions, monitor reliability and help teams migrate systems safely.

11. Help desk analyst

Reported average salary: $52,493 per year

Help desk analysts are often the first contact for technical problems. They diagnose common issues, guide users through fixes, maintain ticket records and recognize when escalation is necessary.

12. Social media manager

Reported average salary: $57,755 per year

Social media managers plan channel strategy, publish content and monitor audience response. In technology organizations, they may translate product news and technical ideas for a broader audience.

13. Quality assurance engineer

Reported average salary: $58,532 per year

Quality assurance engineers design tests that reveal defects before users encounter them. They create test cases, automate repeatable checks and work with developers to reproduce and resolve problems.

14. Operations analyst

Reported average salary: $69,421 per year

Operations analysts study workflows, costs and performance data. They identify bottlenecks, model alternatives and recommend process or system changes that improve efficiency.

15. Performance analyst

Reported average salary: $74,465 per year

Performance analysts measure how systems, teams or programs compare with defined goals. They select metrics, examine causes of variation and communicate findings through reports and dashboards.

16. Security engineer

Reported average salary: $80,535 per year

Security engineers build protections into infrastructure and software. They configure controls, review architecture, automate detection and partner with incident responders when threats emerge.

17. Systems administrator

Reported average salary: $81,502 per year

Systems administrators maintain servers, operating systems, user accounts and enterprise tools. They apply patches, manage backups, automate routine work and respond to service disruptions.

18. Technology consultant

Reported average salary: $83,567 per year

Technology consultants assess client needs and recommend systems, processes or implementation plans. Success requires technical knowledge, structured problem-solving and clear stakeholder communication.

19. IT executive

Reported average salary: $85,496 per year

IT executives set technology priorities, allocate budgets and oversee service delivery. Titles and scope vary widely, from leaders of a small internal function to senior enterprise decision-makers.

20. Project manager

Reported average salary: $87,380 per year

Technology project managers coordinate scope, schedules, budgets, dependencies and risks. They keep specialists and stakeholders aligned while helping the team respond to changes.

21. System programmer

Reported average salary: $88,070 per year

System programmers develop or maintain software close to operating systems, infrastructure and hardware. They may optimize performance, automate administration and support compilers, drivers or platform services.

22. Business intelligence analyst

Reported average salary: $88,603 per year

Business intelligence analysts turn organizational data into recurring insights. They define metrics, build models and dashboards, and help leaders interpret performance consistently.

23. Video game designer

Reported average salary: $89,324 per year

Video game designers develop mechanics, levels, rules and player experiences. They create specifications, test prototypes and collaborate with artists, writers, programmers and producers.

24. VoIP engineer

Reported average salary: $92,203 per year

Voice over Internet Protocol engineers design and maintain systems that carry voice communications over data networks. They manage call quality, routing, integrations, capacity and security.

25. IT manager

Reported average salary: $94,639 per year

IT managers supervise people and services that keep an organization operating. They prioritize support, manage vendors and budgets, set policies and plan upgrades.

26. Data modeler

Reported average salary: $97,707 per year

Data modelers define how information is structured and related across systems. Their schemas and standards help applications, analytics teams and governance programs use data consistently.

27. User experience designer

Reported average salary: $104,111 per year

User experience designers research user needs and create flows, wireframes and prototypes. They test assumptions, improve accessibility and work with product and engineering teams to refine interfaces.

28. System engineer

Reported average salary: $105,526 per year

System engineers define requirements and coordinate complex technical components. They evaluate tradeoffs, interfaces, reliability and verification across a product or enterprise environment.

29. Senior web programmer

Reported average salary: $106,233 per year

Senior web programmers solve complex application problems and guide implementation standards. They may review architecture, mentor developers and improve security, testing and performance.

30. Front-end developer

Reported average salary: $112,223 per year

Front-end developers create the interactive parts of websites and web applications. They translate designs into accessible, responsive code and connect interfaces to back-end services.

31. 3D graphics developer

Reported average salary: $112,758 per year

3D graphics developers build rendering, animation and visualization systems for games, design tools, simulation or extended reality. The work often combines programming, linear algebra and performance optimization.

32. Product manager

Reported average salary: $115,455 per year

Product managers define problems worth solving and align teams around outcomes. They research users, prioritize work, clarify requirements and evaluate whether a release creates value.

33. Application programmer

Reported average salary: $116,340 per year

Application programmers develop software for specific user or business needs. They implement features, integrate systems, test changes and maintain code after release.

34. Cloud consultant

Reported average salary: $117,220 per year

Cloud consultants advise organizations on architecture, migration, cost, security and operating practices. They may assess existing workloads and design a phased transition plan.

35. Product marketing manager

Reported average salary: $119,948 per year

Product marketing managers position products for target customers. They research markets, create messaging, prepare launches and equip sales teams to explain technical value accurately.

36. Mobile developer

Reported average salary: $124,780 per year

Mobile developers create applications for phones, tablets and related devices. They implement interfaces, connect APIs, test across devices and optimize reliability and battery use.

37. Data scientist

Reported average salary: $125,254 per year

Data scientists use statistics, programming and domain knowledge to investigate complex questions. They build experiments or predictive models and explain uncertainty, assumptions and business implications.

38. Chief information officer

Reported average salary: $125,332 per year

Chief information officers connect technology strategy with organizational goals. They oversee governance, investment, risk, talent and major transformation programs; scope and pay vary substantially by organization size.

39. Full stack developer

Reported average salary: $128,163 per year

Full stack developers work across user interfaces, application logic and databases. They are especially useful on teams where one engineer must understand how multiple layers interact.

40. Quantitative analyst

Reported average salary: $139,098 per year

Quantitative analysts build mathematical models for pricing, risk, forecasting or decision-making. Many roles require advanced statistics, programming and knowledge of finance or another specialized domain.

41. Enterprise architecture manager

Reported average salary: $140,263 per year

Enterprise architecture managers guide how an organization's applications, data and infrastructure fit together. They establish standards, evaluate major investments and reduce unnecessary complexity.

42. Back-end developer

Reported average salary: $158,574 per year

Back-end developers build the services, databases and integrations behind digital products. They focus on correctness, security, scalability, observability and reliable communication between systems.

43. Computer hardware engineer

BLS median salary: $155,020 per year in May 2024

Computer hardware engineers research, design and test processors, circuit boards, memory, networks and other computing components. The BLS computer hardware engineer profile uses a median rather than a job-site average, so compare it cautiously with the figures above.

How to choose a technology career

Start with the type of problem you enjoy

People who enjoy troubleshooting and conversation may prefer support or consulting. Those who like structured construction may enjoy development or engineering. Data roles suit people who are curious about evidence, while product and project roles emphasize priorities, communication and coordination.

Compare daily work, not just job titles

The same title can mean different things at two employers. Read several postings and note recurring tasks, tools, experience requirements and performance measures. Ask professionals how much time they spend coding, meeting, documenting, responding to incidents or working with customers.

Choose a small skill test

Before enrolling in an expensive program, complete a realistic project. Build a simple application, analyze a public dataset, configure a small network lab, redesign a user flow or write a product brief. The experience provides evidence about your interests and gives you something to discuss with employers.

Consider entry routes

Some careers typically require a bachelor's degree, especially engineering and advanced quantitative work. Others may be accessible through an associate degree, certification, apprenticeship, portfolio or related experience. Requirements vary by employer, and a credential is not a guarantee of employment.

Skills that transfer across technology roles

Technical foundations differ, but several skills apply broadly:

• Problem definition: Clarifying the real issue before choosing a tool

• Communication: Explaining constraints and decisions to technical and nontechnical audiences

• Documentation: Creating records that help others operate, review and maintain work

• Security awareness: Considering access, privacy and failure from the beginning

• Testing: Checking assumptions and behavior systematically

• Learning: Updating knowledge as tools and practices change

• Collaboration: Working constructively across specialties and priorities

How to prepare for a technology career

Select a target role, then review 20 to 30 relevant job descriptions. Make a simple grid of common skills, optional skills and experience levels. This prevents you from trying to learn every technology at once.

Next, build two or three projects that resemble the work. Document the problem, your decisions, the result and what you would improve. Contribute to a community project, volunteer for a technical assignment or seek an internship when possible. Practical evidence can make education more credible.

Finally, tailor each application. Mirror the employer's terminology only when it accurately describes your experience. Quantify improvements, describe team context and make links to projects easy to find. Prepare interview stories about diagnosing problems, learning something difficult and handling tradeoffs.

Build a clearer technology resume with Dokie

Dokie can help organize technical experience into a resume that is easier for recruiters and hiring managers to scan. Use it to connect projects with job requirements, turn task lists into outcome-focused bullets and create role-specific drafts for development, data, support, cloud, security or product positions.

Review the output carefully before applying. Confirm every skill, metric and tool, remove confidential information and keep the language natural. Dokie can accelerate the first draft, but the strongest application still depends on accurate evidence, relevant projects and thoughtful customization.

Frequently asked questions

Do all technology careers require coding?

No. Support, product marketing, project management, technology sales and some consulting roles may require technical fluency without daily programming. Even so, basic scripting or data skills can be useful in many positions.

Which technology career is easiest to enter?

There is no universal easiest path. Help desk and technical support may have fewer formal education requirements at some employers, while candidates with experience in another industry may enter through business analysis, operations or technology sales.

What is the highest-paying career on this list?

Among the reported Indeed averages, back-end developer is highest at $158,574. Computer hardware engineers have a BLS median of $155,020, which uses a different method and year. Actual offers may be above or below either figure.

Can I start a technology career without a degree?

Yes, for some roles and employers. A portfolio, certification, apprenticeship or relevant experience can demonstrate ability. Other positions—particularly hardware engineering, advanced research and some data roles—commonly expect a degree.

How current are these salary figures?

The first 42 figures come from an Indeed guide updated June 15, 2026. The computer hardware engineer figure is the BLS May 2024 median. Salary databases change, so check current postings and authoritative sources in your location.

Which technology skills are most important for beginners?

Begin with problem-solving, communication, basic security awareness and the core tools for one target role. Depth in a small, coherent skill set is usually more useful than shallow familiarity with dozens of unrelated technologies.