The tech industry is on a roll. As evidenced by an increasing demand across all sectors of the industry, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in the technology and innovation space. We’ve scoured several sources including Indeed, Glassdoor and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the best tech jobs for 2022. These roles report high salaries, promising employment growth and overall high levels of satisfaction. While data may vary across the country, exploring any of these career paths is a great way to future-proof your skillset and pivot into a promising role.
Tech Job Trends for the Future
A number of new technologies have begun to take center stage in the 21st century and change the way we conduct daily life. Here are a few areas where you can expect to see hiring booms in 2022:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning – AI is expected to become a $190 billion industry by 2025 with applications across any industry you can think of: commerce, healthcare, edtech, personal devices and more. We’ve only scratched the surface of how machines can analyze patterns in ways humans can’t and future roles in machine learning and AI development, testing and maintenance are sure to be lucrative.
- Blockchain/FinTech – Over the past year, cryptocurrency and blockchain have hit the mainstream. Additional applications of blockchain tech like in supply chain management and cybersecurity have emerged and the market for blockchain developers and fintech analysts has only just begun to heat up.
- Internet of Things (IoT) – This refers to all devices being manufactured with internet accessibility. We inch ever closer to the futuristic concept of a “smart home” with the ability to lock our doors, preheat the oven, adjust the lights and control the fridge, all with the tap of a phone. The IoT market is expected to reach a market cap of $1.1 trillion in 2022, with jobs in hardware interfacing, automation and data analytics sure to follow.
- Cybersecurity – While this category might not seem as cutting-edge as the others, companies are in a race with bad actors to protect consumer data using increasingly complex methods. To keep up with cyber attacks that occur as often as every 11 seconds, companies large and small are ramping up hiring for IT security professionals, cybersecurity engineers and analysts.
Another evolving area is the educational options that potential entrants to the tech industry are faced with. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the validity of online instruction and bootcamp courses as an alternative to a four-year degree. Offering specialized education in topics like coding, data science and development, many students have completed these programs online or in-person in a matter of months and found themselves on a whole new career path. From networking to career counseling, bootcamps have a lot to offer, so if any of these roles peak your interest, be sure to take a moment to browse our bootcamps and see if any are the right fit for you!
Here are picks for the top 10 tech jobs to future-proof your career in 2022, along with skills needed and salary information!
Artificial Intelligence Engineer
It’s no surprise that AI engineers are in high demand. This role requires expertise in algorithms and using big data to train models, with applications in economic forecasting and natural language processing. The AI Engineer is responsible for developing, programming and training these complex algorithms, and uses overlapping skillsets in software development and programming and data engineering.
Essential Skills for an Artificial Intelligence Engineer
- Programming Languages (Python, Java, R etc.)
- Applied Mathematics
- Mastery of neural networks and algorithms
- Interest in tech trends
How Much Does an Artificial Intelligence Engineer Earn?
The median salary for an artificial intelligence engineer is $146,085 and $140,336 for a machine learning engineer.
Product Manager
The product manager acts a bit like the CEO of the product they are responsible for. They typically lead an engineering team in defining the parameters of a product and oversee the development from conception to launch. Within the tech field, a “product” is increasingly defined as a non-tangible item, like a mobile app.
Essential Skills for a Product Manager
- Strong leadership and analytical skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management
- Knowledge of industry product management tools like JIRA and Asana
How Much do Product Managers Earn?
The median salary for a product manager is $98,164.
Data Scientist
Companies collect more data than ever, in fact, some of the largest like Google and Facebook have based their business model on it. So, it’s no wonder that this role has seen increased job openings for experts in compiling, cleaning and presenting data. Data Scientists help companies make informed decisions b designing data modeling processes, predictive models and performing custom analysis.
Essential Skills for a Data Scientist
- Statistical analysis for all types of data
- Machine learning capabilities
- Knowledge of programming languages, especially Python and SQL
- Analytical/critical thinking mindset
How Much do Data Scientists Earn?
The median salary for a data scientist is $119,444
Java Developer
Unsurprisingly, a Java Developer spends their days working with Java. The robust object-based programming language is one of the top five most commonly used and has applications across all types of web applications and software tools in finance, big data and development. Google, Airbnb, and eBay are only a few large companies that utilize Java, for its high-speed and extensive resources
Essential Skills for a Java Developer
- Expertise in Java and Javascript (of course!)
- Familiarity with and ability to navigate Java open-source frameworks and libraries
- Software design and architecture
How Much do Java Developers Earn?
The median salary for a java developer is $102,425.
Software Engineer
Masters of all things coding and development, software engineers are responsible for designing, developing and testing an application per a user’s specifications through all stages. You’ll find software engineers across industries from tech, to healthcare, to government, and specializing across web or mobile development.
Essential Skills for a Software Engineer
- Programming/coding language expertise
- Software development lifecycle and agile/scrum project management
- Industry certifications (popular ones are offered by Oracle and Microsoft)
- Adaptability and attention to detail
How Much do Software Engineers Earn?
The media salary for a software engineer is $105,323
Information Security Analyst
As we mentioned above, firms are scaling up their security operations in a major way to keep up with our increasingly connected and vulnerable world. This professional within an organization is responsible for ensuring all legal compliance with data collection, as well as crafting and monitoring the security operations architecture.
Essential Skills for an Information Security Analyst
- Security programs and frameworks
- Lock picking
- Programming language, especially Python
- Security ops and architecture best practices
How Much Do Information Security Analysts Earn?
The median salary for an information security analyst is $87,088.
Blockchain Engineer
This role tops our list as one of the most likely to see explosive growth into the next decade. This is a great opportunity to enter the space, as few are truly qualified to develop and implement architecture and solutions using blockchain technology. Familiarity with the technologies behind blockchain like Ripple, R3, Ethereum and Bitcoin is also a must.
Essential Skills for a Blockchain Engineer
- Programming languages and Blockchain technologies
- Security protocol stacks and crypto libraries and functions
- Comprehensive understanding of DApps architecture and use cases
How Much Do Blockchain Engineers Earn?
The median salary for a blockchain engineer is between $150,000 and $175,000.
Mobile App Developer
Specializing in creating software specifically for the mobile market brings both rewards and challenges. No company can ignore its mobile presence, so opportunities are ample. However, projects typically run on an accelerated timeline, with developers building from scratch with a smaller team. Mobile developers typically choose to work with one of the two main platforms, Android or iOS, as they use different coding languages.
Essential Skills for a Mobile App Developer
- Swift, UIKit and Xcode for iOS
- Java, XML and material design frameworks for Android
- Problem-solving skills and attention to detail
How Much do Mobile App Developers Earn?
The median salary for a mobile app developer is $119,052.
Cloud Architect
Cloud computing is yet another tech specialization of the future. The cloud architect implements and oversees a company’s cloud computing infrastructure. This typically entails developing the cloud architecture and strategy while ensuring compliance across the organization. Above all, this position must be solutions-oriented and ready to bridge the gap between complex business problems and cloud-based solutions.
Essential Skills for a Cloud Architect
- Knowledge of predominant cloud providers Amazon Web Services, Azure or Google Cloud
- Mastery of Linux, Unix or Windows operating systems
- Understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, HTTP and DNS
- Teamwork and communication skills
How Much do Cloud Architects Earn?
The median salary for a cloud architect is $135,787.
Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions Architect
If you’re interested in shaping the role tech will play for the next generation, becoming an Internet of Things (Iot) solutions architect might be your calling card. Typically this individual is examining the big picture for a company, helping brainstorm and make IoT products a reality, alongside engineers and developers. The IoT solutions architect will continue to oversee design, deployment and strategy and work towards creating an overall IoT ecosystem that addresses potential business solutions.
Essential Skills for Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions Architect
- Strong programming skills
- Experience/understanding of machine learning concepts
- Internet of Things data management practices
- Communication and leadership skills
How Much do Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions Architects Earn?
The median salary for an Internet of Things solutions architect is approximately $130,000.
Landing a Tech Role in 2022
We hope this list serves as a starting point for pivoting into the tech industry role of your dreams! Amidst an increase in automation and shifting job markets, pursuing any of these professional paths is an excellent way to “future-proof” your career and guarantee steady job growth.
With the breadth of professional paths available, it might seem overwhelming to find a place to start your career. Here are some actionable steps you can take to gain job-critical skills, crush that next interview, and impress your employer.
- Develop Your Tech Industry Knowledge
It’s vital that you’re able to understand current events and trends within the tech space. You never know when you might be asked about the latest Facebook or Google breaking news in an interview or informal setting. Major tech news sites and blogs like Techmeme and The Verge are often bookmarked by industry experts and amateur enthusiasts, and do a great job of breaking down company power moves, and how they intersect with government, the economy, and societal trends. Depending on your area of interest, you might consider keeping afloat of news coming out of more niche spaces like Search Engine Land for SEO or AI News.
- Identify Your Transferable Skills
If you’re looking to build out your tech skills toolbox, we have much more on that later. But, make sure you don’t overlook any skills you might have already acquired that could serve you in a future role. Whether it’s expertise in a specific front-end or back-end programming language, familiarity with data analysis or even “soft” skills like working on a team or multi-tasking, ensure these are highlighted throughout your resume or LinkedIn profile. Identifying these skills might also give you a sense of where your gaps lie, and provide direction for further scaling up.
- Explore Educational Opportunities
You might have noticed that many of the roles we’ve highlighted above draw from overlapping skill sets in topics like programming, data science or cybersecurity practices. If you’re looking to build some of those base prerequisites, we recommend checking out bootcamp options in your area or online. These programs range from a few weeks to several months, and are available for full or part-time learners. You would probably be surprised to hear that 2/3rds of developers do not hold a computer science degree! Bootcamp programs are a great way to acquire critical training in a cost and time efficient manner.
Additionally, you’ll find totally FREE training courses and tutorials all over the web for a variety of tech careers. In fact, we have broken out some of our favorite free resources in their own section below.
- Create an Online Portfolio
Regardless of company size or location, it’s almost a guarantee that recruiters will check out your online presence throughout the interview process. That’s why it’s vital to build out a portfolio or website highlighting your past projects and experiences. For technical projects, Github Pages is a great option, as it allows users to show off their methods of technical documentation and coding processes with a clean directory structure. Simple sites can also be created with no coding experience via popular hosts like WordPress or Weebly. Make sure your portfolio includes a brief bio, contact information, and is easily accessible on your resume and social pages. Keep in mind, portfolio design and structure will differ based upon your desired role. A graphic designer’s site might have many more creative flourishes compared to an aspiring software engineer!
- Network, Network, Network!
An evergreen piece of advice that’s cliche, but true. Learning directly from someone in your desired role how they got to where they are is the best way to land the job yourself. Prepare for any industry conversations by researching the basic professional background of the person you’re speaking with, and planning out lines of questioning. If you don’t yet have a strong industry network, start with a LinkedIn profile, and research conferences, events and meetups within the field (many of these events are offered virtually!) Paying it forward by offering your time when someone asks you for career advice also can’t hurt; you never know when someone will be able to lend out a helping hand in the future!
- Research Interview Questions
Roles in the tech industry typically require applicants to answer problem-solving questions and complete technical challenges. Some companies like Google are notorious for crafting brainteaser-like interview questions. The best way to prepare is by researching the type of information you might be expected to know for that particular company and position. Check out sites like CareerCup, with a database of actual software engineering interview questions, broken out by company, role and type, or the PM Interview, which offers a virtual mock interview simulation.
- Create a Target Company List
With your skills illustrated and portfolio completed, it’s time to start thinking about where you want to be employed. Narrow down endless open job postings by creating a personalized target employer list. Consider factors such as geography, company size, core service offerings and how well the business mission aligns with your personal values and interests. LinkedIn offers a number of great tools for this task like Company Search, allowing users to filter for multiple factors and Groups. This technique is also known as creating a “LAMP List,” and you can find templates online to learn more and get started.
- Browse Job Boards
Of course, any target list must be accompanied by roles that are actually available at the time of your search. Check out job posting websites that specialize in tech roles as one of the most effective tools to optimize your search. You can start with some of the biggest providers like Dice.com or Angel.co, but we also like smaller sites like WhiteTruffle, which allows applicants to apply to more than 7,500 positions with one application and Uncubed. You can even check out lists of top tech job boards to make sure you aren’t missing out, or check out our city pages to see the best tech job opportunities in more than 50 U.S. locations.
- Maintain Flexibility
While the job search process can be difficult, it’s important to keep as open of a mind as possible when seeking out roles. Almost every company has an established online presence, making many tech specialties, like programming or UI/UX design extremely versatile. Consider applying or at least researching organizations outside your comfort zone and research virtual opportunities if the offerings in your area are not as strong as you would like. Another advantage in the tech field is the ability to freelance. Check out sites like Upwork, Guru and Freelancer that offer quick freelance tasks you can use to gain experience, earn some cash, and boost your portfolio.
- Always Remain Curious!
The tech jobs of the future are here now so it’s anyone’s guess what tomorrow may bring! The best way to ensure future career success is to stay up-to-date with technology developments and maintain a passion for learning new skills, and scaling up your holistic professional abilities. Below, we’ve outlined some of our favorite online resources for strengthening your skills, or learning something new outside your core field. And the best part? They’re all entirely FREE.
Free Resources for Tech Career Training
- freeCodeCamp – A non-profit organization geared towards beginners with no experience, this fully online program guides participants through five required projects, offering a certification upon completion. More than 40,000 people have completed the program and gone on to work at organizations like Google and Microsoft. Certifications include Javascript, Data Visualization, Information Security, Machine Learning and more.
- Internetingishard – What sets this provider apart is its over 250 diagrams that present complicated HTML and CSS concepts in simple ways. You’ll learn modern web development techniques through 14 chapters and 284 code examples. If you identify as a visual learner, this could be the course for you.
- Codeacademy – One of the largest free coding class providers, Codeacademy’s offerings include Python, Ruby, Java, Javascript, jQuery, React.js, AngularJS, HTML, Sass and CSS. Choose a specific course if you’re looking to brush up on a subject area or take their quiz to determine which path best suits your desired outcome. If you enjoy the free course, you can sign up for a pro account at $19.99/month to gain access to hands-on projects and advisors.
- EdX- This company is a massive open online course (MOOC) provider, meaning the depth of their course offerings is hard to beat, with more than 3000 classes in data science, design, computer science, business and more. The free programs are taught through prestigious member universities, including MIT and Berkeley, and include video and interactive learning instruction, online textbooks and access to student forums and teaching assistants.
- Microsoft and Google Module and Certifications – Both of these tech giants have released products and softwares that are considered the industry-standard and serve as a prerequisite for a variety of tech careers. Luckily, both companies offer free training courses to help you get up to speed. In Google’s case, Skillshop provides training for Google’s Analytics, Ads Manager and Marketing Platform tools, necessary for any search engine marketer. Microsoft offers modules in Azure, from fundamentals to advanced databases and analytics services as well as Power BI.
- Harvard Online Learning – Did you know you can take a course from Harvard without the hefty tuition bill. The well-known university offers more than 100 free online courses to further its mission of providing accessible education. These comprehensive programs run up to 12 weeks and run the gamut from web programming with Python and Javascript to Artificial Intelligence to Statistical inference and R.
- Udacity and Udemy – Both of these providers are geared towards professional adults looking to scale up on specific in-demand career skills, or even pivot to a new career path altogether. We love their selections of hundreds of free mini-course offerings, that offer prospective students a cost and time-effective way to see if the subject area is right for them. Data visualization, machine learning, UX/UI prototyping and cybersecurity are just a few of the topics you’ll find listed among their offerings.
