Everyone appreciates that tech jobs pay well, but it’s difficult to understand just how big of a gap there is between careers in this sector and those in other industries unless you delve into the stats.
To illustrate this point, let’s talk about a few of the most sought-after careers in the tech sector, and line them up against comparably respected professions that fall into other fields. You might be surprised by what you find out!
Software Development Engineer: Tech vs Non-Tech
As a software development engineer, you hold a crucial role in building and maintaining software systems for various industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for software developers and QA analysts in this field was just shy of $110,000, showcasing the high demand and valuable skill set associated with this position.
However, if we consider non-tech fields like healthcare or education, salaries might be comparatively lower for certain occupations. For instance, registered nurses in the healthcare sector have a median annual wage of $77,600, while post-secondary teachers typically take home $79,640 annually.
The BLS also projects an impressive 22% growth rate in employment for software developers from 2019-2029, which is more than four times higher than the national average of other occupations at 4%.
All this means that it’s evident that working as a software development engineer offers competitive salaries along with robust career prospects within tech compared to many other sectors.
Data Scientist: Finding Your Niche
Embarking on a career as a data scientist places you at the forefront of innovation, bridging advanced analytics with cutting-edge technology to extract meaningful insights from vast quantities of data. The BLS reports that computer and information research scientists, including data scientists, earn a median annual wage of $131,490.
In comparison to non-tech industries such as finance or human resources (HR), this occupation showcases higher average earnings. For instance, financial analysts had a median annual wage of $95,570 while HR specialists earned about $62,290.
The huge demand for skilled professionals and an anticipated job growth rate of 15% in the next decade, further solidify the position’s appeal within tech compared to alternative roles outside the sector.
Accountants in Tech Firms: The Financial Backbone
Accountants play a vital role as financial experts within tech companies, keeping records organized and ensuring compliance with regulations while strategically planning for business growth. The latest stats show financial occupations such as accountants and auditors have a median annual wage of $77,250 across industries.
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) can expect higher salaries owing to their advanced skills and qualifications. The reported salary range for CPAs differs based on factors like years of experience and location. The average sits at $86,740, but rises to over $110,000 in big cities like Washington DC and NYC, where major employers reside.
When working for leading tech firms known for their high earnings potential, accounting professionals may enjoy considerably more competitive pay compared to other industries.
Cybersecurity Analyst: Securing High Earnings
In an era dominated by technology, cybersecurity has become a critical priority for organizations across diverse industries. As a cybersecurity analyst, you play a vital role in safeguarding digital assets against threats and potential attacks.
Right now, information security analysts earn a median annual wage of $102,600. This attractive salary reveals how highly valued this occupation is both within the tech sector and beyond. Comparatively speaking, non-tech roles such as management analysts or marketing specialists enjoy lower median annual wages of $93,000 and $78,880 respectively.
Moreover, the projected growth rate for employment opportunities among information security analysts stands at an impressive 35%, substantially ahead of many other professions. This statistic highlights the ever-growing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals.
UX Designer: Crafting Digital Experiences
User Experience (UX) designers play a key part in creating aesthetically appealing and user-friendly digital products for businesses spanning the tech landscape. Multimedia artists and animators, which include UX/UI designers, have a median annual wage of $78,790 today.
This is notably higher than some non-tech roles such as graphic designer positions, which had an average wage of $50,710 per year. With technology becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, ensuring user satisfaction requires highly skilled UX designers who can build exceptional interfaces.
The Bottom Line
There’s no doubt that the tech industry offers some of the most rewarding careers in terms of both financial gain and growth opportunities.
As technology continues to evolve and integrate into various aspects of our lives, skilled professionals such as software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, product managers, and UX designers are increasingly sought after.
Choosing a career path within this thriving sector not only guarantees competitive salaries but also opens up abundant prospects for personal fulfillment through innovation-driven roles that shape our world’s digital future.