Top 10 Tech Jobs and their career prospects.

As we reach 2024, the technology sector is positioned for continuous growth and innovation, shaping sectors and economies around the world. Despite potential economic headwinds, demand for highly qualified technical people remains strong, fueled by innovations such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence.

The following are ten of the most in-demand and promising IT careers in 2024, with anticipated wages, responsibilities, qualifications, and growth prospects:

1. Cloud Security Engineer

Average Base Salary: $152,773 (Payscale)
Salary Range in 25th-75th percentile: $122,500 - $194,500 (Payscale)
Projected Growth (2022-2032): 33% (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Cloud security engineers apply specialized skills and knowledge in network security, endpoint security, analytics, threat intelligence, and cloud infrastructure to protect critical assets and sensitive data in the cloud. With the worldwide public cloud services market projected to grow over 15% annually to reach $805 billion by 2027 (Forrester), companies have an increasing need for experienced cloud security professionals to minimize risks. Demand is especially high for cloud security engineers with cloud certifications from Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.

2. Cloud Engineer

Average Base Salary: $120,370 (Dice 2021 Tech Salary Report)
Average Annual Bonus: $10,000 (Dice 2021 Tech Salary Report)
Projected Growth (2020-2030): 13% for computer network architects (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Cloud engineers are responsible for overseeing cloud computing strategies and cloud adoption within organizations. Daily responsibilities span migrating systems and data to the cloud, deploying cloud-based resources, automating and managing infrastructure, optimizing performance, configuring networks, and orchestrating platform services. As global spending on public cloud services grows at a 17% CAGR to approach $1.3 trillion by 2028 (Grand View Research), cloud engineers will continue to be integral to business operations.

3. Data Scientist

Average Base Salary: $123,817 (Dice 2021 Tech Salary Report)
Salary Range in 25th-75th percentile: $95,000 - $170,000 (Payscale)
Projected Growth (2020–2030): 37% (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Data scientists utilize cutting-edge analytics, machine learning, and advanced statistical modeling to extract impactful business insights from vast datasets. As data volumes grow exponentially – with the Global Datasphere expected to grow from 59 zettabytes in 2020 to 175 zettabytes by 2025 (IDC) – data scientists will be in extreme demand across sectors like finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and technology. Mastering programming languages like Python and R along with data visualization tools like Tableau helps data scientists stand out for these lucrative and competitive roles.

4. Cyber Security Engineer

Average Base Salary: $113,270 (Dice 2021 Tech Salary Report)
Projected Growth (2020–2030): 33% (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Cybersecurity engineers safeguard systems, networks, and data by implementing and managing security measures and controls. With cybercrime costs projected to grow by 15% per year over the next 5 years to $10.5 trillion annually by 2025 (Cybersecurity Ventures), companies are aggressively hiring information security talent. Cybersecurity engineers are highly sought after for their abilities to conduct penetration testing, install firewalls, monitor networks for breaches, document security policies and procedures, and keep companies compliant with regulations.

5. AI/Machine Learning Engineer

Average Base Salary: $131,246 (Dice 2021 Tech Salary Report)
Projected Growth (2020-2030): 21% for computer occupations overall (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

AI and machine learning engineers develop and optimize the algorithms, analytics models, and neural networks that power AI systems and applications. As a market expected to top $300 billion globally by 2026 (Tractica), AI is increasingly embedded in solutions for automating processes and gaining data-driven forecasting capabilities across finance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, self-driving vehicles, and more. Ideal candidates will possess strong coding abilities in languages like Python and C++, applied math and statistical knowledge, data modeling experience, and AI/ML software framework expertise.

6. Android/iOS Developer

Average Base Salary: $109,329 (Dice 2021 Tech Salary Report)
Salary Range in 25th-75th percentile: $77,500 - $138,000 (Payscale)
Global Mobile OS Market Share: Android 71.93%, iOS 27.78% (StatCounter)

Developers remain in high demand as mobile usage continues to grow globally alongside skills in Android and iOS. Responsibilities center on writing code, testing, debugging, documenting, updating, and supporting mobile applications that meet end-user and stakeholder requirements. As businesses shift more resources online and consumers spend a global average of 4.2 hours per day using apps (App Annie), developers with practical experience launching successful apps have their pick of well-compensated opportunities.

7. Product Manager

Median Base Salary: $125,000 (Payscale)
Salary Range: $76k to over $200k (Payscale)
Projected Growth: 7% 2019-2029 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Product managers lead cross-functional teams to deliver digital products and services, bridging gaps between technology, business objectives, and user needs. These roles demand a diverse skillset combining data-driven critical thinking, strategic planning, financial analysis, market research, communication, creativity, and leadership prowess. With product manager salaries ranging widely from $76,000 to over $200,000 based on factors like location, industry, and experience, competition for top PM candidates focuses on demonstrated abilities to successfully guide product development life cycles.

8. Computer Network Engineer

Average Base Salary: $96,300 (Nov. 2022 - Lightcast)
Projected Growth (2020 - 2030): 5% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Network engineers design, build, and optimize the connecting tentacles that facilitate communication and data transmission between devices, systems, and people. Individuals and companies alike are concerned about bandwidth, speed, and availability, therefore professional network engineering skills are consistently in short supply around the world. Companies are investing more in cloud capabilities, IoT platforms that handle millions of linked devices, artificial intelligence applications that transport massive amounts of data via networks continuously, low-latency 5G rollout, and sophisticated corporate infrastructure to ensure long-term growth.

9. Blockchain Engineer

Average Annual Salary: $140,000 (ZipRecruiter)
Projected Growth (2020-2030): ~55% for software developers overall (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Blockchain engineers design and build decentralized ledger platforms and blockchain-based applications for enterprises in finance, supply chain, healthcare, and more. Despite cryptocurrency volatility, corporations increasingly recognize innovative use cases for blockchain technology to enhance transparency, efficiency, security, and automation across operations. As global spending on blockchain solutions rises at a 40% CAGR from $4.3 billion in 2023 to reach $31 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research), blockchain engineering skills will be in immense demand throughout the decade for highly complex and lucrative roles.

10. Full Stack Web Developer

Average Annual Salary: $85,469 (Dice 2021 Tech Salary Report)
Projected Growth: 13% 2021-2031 (U.S. Bureau Labor of Statistics)

The ongoing digital revolution creates a steady demand for talented full-stack developers to create, integrate, and maintain websites, applications, and services that enable crucial end-user experiences and business capabilities online. Full-stack developers are flexible in their skill sets, which include front-end coding and design, back-end databases and infrastructure, current trends such as single-page applications, and the use of languages ranging from JavaScript to Python. Full-stack developers are adaptable across frameworks and platforms, providing significant, multidimensional value in moving projects forward.

The widespread need for these highly trained technology vocations emphasizes their critical role in practically all stages of corporate innovation and strategic endeavors going forward. Individuals seeking high incomes and potential career paths will benefit from majoring in one of these areas of expertise. Regardless of economic situations in the coming years, technology's capabilities and roles will only grow.

Thanks for reading.