For centuries of research and development, there’s only one thing that never moves backward and continues to flourish: technology. The current world is deeply dependent on technology which enables humanity to enhance the quality of life.
Amidst numerous benefits that people can gain from technology, you owe them to every person working in the tech industry. And if you want, you can be a part of their growing family.
As a job applicant in the tech industry, landing on a good-paying job is difficult. However, once you’ve been accepted by a company, you should know how to answer salary expectations to conclude a salary negotiation. This is a great opportunity to get paid what you deserve.
But how should you estimate your salary? To give you a quick guide, provided below is a roundup of the most common and in-demand tech industry jobs and their expected salaries:
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Software and Application Developer ($67,000 to $110,000)
As a software and application developer, your primary responsibility is to create software and applications of different fields that will run across computers and other tech devices. Some of the well-known software of all time include:
- Operating systems: macOS, Windows, Linux
- Application software: Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Mozilla Firefox, Avast, VLC Media Player
- Programming languages: HTML, Java, C++, PHP, Simlab
To qualify for a software and application development profession, companies need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science and medium to excellent computer programming skills. Entry-level salaries usually range from $67,000 annually. As you progress in the industry, your income can reach up to a whopping $110,000 every year.
Software and application developer employment for the next 10 years will supposedly grow by over 21%, compared to many occupations. However, the industry competition will likely increase so you must have enough skills and compassion to design better software and applications.
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Web Developer ($42,000 to $113,000)
The virtual world has grown and transformed exponentially for the past years. This enabled various fields and industries to engage in the internet to target a larger audience.
To make web content readable and understandable, web developers and programmers are responsible for the design and composition. They improve how you view the website face-to-face and behind the scenes.
Being a web developer isn’t a piece of cake. You’ll have to be bilingual to do your job effectively. You have to know a language that the majority of people understand (English) and translate it into a language that a computer comprehends (HTML, Python, etc).
Web development usually involves three types of developer according to expertise:
- Front-end web developer: They are also known as a client-side developer. Being a front-end developer practices the production of HTML, JavaScript, and other website software so that a website user can read, understand, and interact with them directly. The average salary of front-end web developers is around $42,000 to $106,000.
- Back-end web developer: Everything behind the scene is taken care of by a back-end web developer, including the application, server, and database. They power up these website components to enable the user facade to exist in the first place. Back-end web developers earn an average annual salary from $34,000 to $98,000.
- Full-stack web developer: They’re the jack of all trades, offering the full package of working cross-functionally on web development. Since they carry more responsibilities, they earn a median salary of about $45,000 to $113,000.
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AI Architect ($143,000)
AI architects, or artificial intelligence architects, have a vast network of responsibilities assigned to them. Fundamentally, they have to create tangible solutions for companies and clients they work with to maintain architecture using AI technology frameworks that they’ve specialized in. The most used, essential concepts that AI architects should largely know about are:
- AI integration
- AI application programming
- Natural language processing (NLP)
- Machine learning (ML)
- Change management
Artificial intelligence itself is an entirely complex field, thus potential AI architect candidates must possess an extraordinary IT resume. The minimum requirements for this job are a master’s degree in data science, computer science, or AI and substantial experience in working with AI tools. On average, IT architects’ midpoint salary amounts up to $143,000, or even higher if you’re working for private IT hubs.
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Data Specialist ($46,000 to $69,000)
Data specialists are responsible for information processing and records retention of the day-to-day operations of a certain venture, company, or institution. Their main tasks include a variety of simple to advanced skills such as typing text and numerical data rapidly and accurately, enter data to an information system, and analyze received data for potential errors.
In the United States, data specialists earn a national average salary of about $46,000. Meanwhile, data specialists in prominent companies and many years of experience according to the industry can earn a maximum salary of $69,000.
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Desktop Support and Help Desk Professional ($30,000 to $58,000)
Have you ever wondered who attends to your calls and queries about the software you’ve been using?
Desktop support and help desk professionals offer technical assistance and support associated with the software, hardware, and computer systems. Basically, they connect with ordinary users and audiences, respond to their questions, run diagnostic programs, identify problems and errors, and provide potential solutions.
Professionals encompassing this career earn an estimated average of $41,000 annually and can reach up to $58,000, and the lowest would be $30,000.
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Systems Administrator ($71,000)
As a systems administrator, you’re responsible for ensuring that the technology infrastructure of your institution remains operating smoothly and efficiently. Probably the most essential skill in this career is resourcefulness and patience since you’ll have to diagnose and solve problems quickly and remain patient in communicating with users and teams.
Potential candidates for systems administration must possess the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, and other related fields
- Optional professional certification for a plus
- Certification of experience in network administration, systems administration, and similar experiences
- Knowledge in systems security
- Excellent communication skills
- Experience in networks (WAN, LAN), databases, and patch management
Annually, systems administrators earn an annual income of $71,000 in 2018. However, there are three main factors that can affect your salary, which are:
- Level of experience: Like all careers in different fields, people with higher levels of experience can earn better. Entry-level systems administrators with up to 3 years of experience reach $63,000 annually. Mid-career specialists (4 to 9 years), experienced specialists (10 to 14 years), and late-career specialists (15+ years) earn annual salaries of $75,000, $81,000, and $87,000 respectively.
- Position: Junior systems administrators earn around $54,000 while senior systems administrators earn almost $85,000.
- Geographic location: Virginia, USA has the highest annual salary for systems administrators, making 65% more than Mississippi.
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Cloud Systems Administrator ($75,000)
While systems administrators focus on conventional computer systems, cloud systems administrators narrow down their expertise in a company’s cloud computing.
Cloud computing is all about providing computing services (storage, networking, databases, analytics, servers, and software) over the internet or “the cloud.” This task has always been crucial to society and technology.
Individuals interested in cloud systems administration must possess a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, electronics, or telecommunications. An average cloud systems administrator can earn up to $75,000 per year, and this career can provide more opportunities as the field of cloud computing will flourish consistently.
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Computer Programmer ($72,000 to $95,000)
Excellent technical skills and attention to detail is the specialty of computer programmers, also known as systems programmers and software engineers. Computer programmers have a stellar lineup of responsibilities that requires communication, critical thinking and analytical skills, high concentration levels, above others, which are:
- Designing and testing computer programs
- Composing computer instructions
- Coding and debugging
- Troubleshooting system errors
- Editing source-codes
- Profiling, identifying, analyzing, and predicting algorithms
- Providing technical support, and more
With a variety of responsibilities shouldered by a computer programmer, it’s fair enough that they should have a bachelor’s degree in computer programming or computer science. Parents who know about its complexities would even send their children to coding for kids classes. They should also have advanced IT skills, experience in programming languages, mathematical aptitude, strong knowledge of operating systems, and many more.
If you’re vying for a computer programming career, take note that the term “computer programmer” may be a bit broad. Programmers with these specializations usually earn around:
- Network engineers with $72,000
- Entry-level data scientists with $85,000
- Machine learning (ML) engineer with an estimated $90,000
- Cybersecurity engineers with $95,000
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DevOps Engineer ($121,000)
In layman’s terms, DevOps is a software development strategy that enables the IT staff and web developers to reach one another more effectively. Thus, a DevOps engineer works with these people to manage and supervise code releases.
DevOps engineers have to fulfill a vast range of roles and responsibilities that cater to narrow specialization, such as:
- Release manager: Releases new features and guarantees product stability
- Software developer and tester: Develops the codes and put them into an assessment
- DevOps evangelist: The main leader in the implementation of DevOps
- Automation expert: Improve operating systems to achieve automation\
- Security engineer: Monitors security and health of products
- Quality assurance: Responsible for checking the quality of products and see if it fits the requirements
DevOps is a newly established field in technology that has started in 2008, but the career opportunities continue to widen. You might have encountered this career for the first time, and they’re quite prestigious in the field of technology. In fact, DevOps engineering is one of the most highly-paid jobs in the world, with an annual salary of whopping $121,000.
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Computer and Information Research Scientist ($118,000)
This ongoing list wouldn’t end without computer and information research science unmentioned. These professionals lay the groundwork for existing and future approaches to technology.
Without them, new computing technologies wouldn’t be discovered and opened to wide use. Computer and information research scientists approach tech work on a theoretical level than most computer experts.
With these roles and responsibilities, the educational requirements for this career are set competitively. You need at least a master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, and related disciplines, and Ph.D. is even more advantageous.
The median annual pay for computer and information research scientists amounts up to $118,000.
Conclusion
Being a part of the technology industry is an advancement not just for your personal inclination, but mainly for humanity. It is a place where creativity and innovation are bred.
As you put your passion and effort into working in these careers, you deserve to get paid what monetary amount you deserve, and you should know what to expect as well.
If you are aware of the respective salary expectations, you’ll be able to receive the right compensation for your work in the highly competitive industry of technology.
