Top 10 Highest-Paying Tech Jobs in 2024 for Beginners

Are you thinking about getting into tech to earn the big bucks, but not sure which role you want? Maybe you’re not even sure of all the options available or what each job even does?

Well, good news! Before you dive any deeper into each role and what it takes to get that career, I figured I would make your life a little easier and help you filter down first.

With that in mind, here's a list of the top-paying tech roles right now in 2024, based on the average salary of current jobs available.

Not only that, but I also break down what each role is about, who it's usually a good fit for, as well as career paths for each role so you can then learn more, and get started right away.

So let’s get into it.

Mile-high overview

So a few more pieces of information before we dive into each role:

All of the data points in this guide are based on a single job posting site: ZipRecruiter, so bear in mind that salaries and job opportunities can vary depending on where you are in the world
Also, all of this data is set for the US. However, you can click through any of the links I share and see the stats for your own country and compare
Finally, there are technically higher-paying roles out there that are not on this list. (Software Architect etc). However, these roles need you to have X years of experience before you can apply, while each of the roles below allows you to get hired right away if you have the skillset

I’ll go into more detail about each role and how to get started in them in just a second, but here’s how each of them compares against each other.

Highest paying tech roles in 2024

All of the careers listed are over $100,000 per year, with Software Engineer pulling ahead with the average salary of jobs open at $147,524.

The current number of jobs available for these roles

Software Engineer also does well in terms of the number of jobs available at 356,881. However, there seems to be a huge demand for DevOps Engineers right now, with 552,377 jobs available!

Which tech career should you choose?

Any of the roles on this list are worthwhile, however, don’t decide just yet.

Let’s have a quick look at each role first, what they do, and who it suits best, as well as how to learn more and get started in each.

Software Engineer

Imagine being the mastermind behind your favorite apps and software, like Instagram or WhatsApp. As a Software Engineer, you’ll design, develop, and maintain these kinds of software applications.

Your day-to-day involves using various programming languages and tools to create solutions that meet user needs.

Main tasks:

Writing and testing code to bring ideas to life
Debugging software issues to keep everything running smoothly
Collaborating with other developers and stakeholders
Designing system architecture to ensure robust performance

Best suited for: If you love problem-solving, enjoy logical thinking, and get a kick out of creating software that impacts millions, this role is perfect for you.

Average salary of jobs available: $147,524

Current # of Software Engineer jobs available: 356,881

Learn more: Ready to become a Software Engineer? Start your journey with this career path.

Cyber Security Professional

As a Cybersecurity professional (such as an analyst or engineer), you’ll either be the defender of an organization’s computer systems and networks, ensuring data stays safe from breaches.

Or, you might even try to hack systems to test how strong they are!

Main tasks:

Analyzing security vulnerabilities to fortify defenses
Implementing protective measures to guard against attacks
Monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity
Responding to and investigating security incidents

Best suited for: If you have a knack for security, attention to detail, and a passion for protecting data, this role offers a fulfilling path with high demand.

Current average salary of all cybersecurity jobs available on ZipRecruiter: $132,962

Current number of jobs available: 30,492

Learn more: Ready to defend the digital world? Begin your cyber security career with this career path.

Cloud Engineer

Think about the massive cloud services that power platforms like Netflix or Spotify. As a Cloud Engineer, you’ll design, develop, and manage these cloud computing solutions, ensuring they are scalable and secure.

Main tasks:

Designing cloud infrastructure to support various applications
Managing cloud services to keep them running smoothly
Ensuring security and compliance to protect data
Optimizing cloud performance for better user experiences

Best suited for: If you're fascinated by cloud technology and enjoy building scalable solutions, this career path is an excellent fit for you.

Average salary of jobs available: $130,802

Current # of jobs available: 100,385

Learn more: Excited to build your career in the cloud? Check out this career path to get started.

AI Developer

As an AI Developer, you’ll create artificial intelligence applications that can learn and make decisions. Imagine developing AI features for products like Amazon's Alexa or Netflix's recommendation system.

Main tasks:

Designing and implementing AI models
Training machine learning algorithms to improve performance
Analyzing and processing data to develop intelligent systems
Collaborating with data scientists and engineers

Best suited for: If you’re passionate about artificial intelligence, love working with data and algorithms, and enjoy solving complex problems, this role is ideal for you.

Average salary: $129,348

Current number of jobs available: 65,648

Learn more: Interested in becoming an AI Developer? Check out this career path to get started.

Machine Learning Engineer

As a Machine Learning Engineer, you’ll build and deploy AI models to tackle complex problems using various AI technologies. Think about the technology behind self-driving cars like those from Tesla.

Main tasks:

Developing machine learning algorithms to create intelligent systems
Training and refining models for better accuracy
Implementing AI solutions to solve real-world problems
Evaluating and improving model performance

Best suited for: If you’re captivated by AI, have strong analytical skills, and enjoy working with cutting-edge technology, this role offers exciting challenges and opportunities.

Average salary of jobs available: $128,769

Current # of jobs available: 93,742

Learn more: Ready to delve into the world of Machine learning? Start your journey with this career path.

Full-Stack Developer

Imagine building comprehensive web applications like Facebook or e-commerce sites like Shopify. As a Full Stack Developer, you’ll work on both the front-end and back-end aspects of web development.

Main tasks:

Developing user interfaces and back-end services
Managing databases and servers for seamless operation
Ensuring cross-platform optimization for various devices
Collaborating with designers and other developers

Best suited for: If you enjoy working on all aspects of web development and love being a jack-of-all-trades, this career is perfect for you.

Average salary of jobs available: $123,262

Current # of jobs available: 27,187

Learn more: Ready to master both ends of web development? Check out this career path to get started.

DevOps Engineer

As a DevOps Engineer, you’ll streamline software delivery by bridging the gap between development and operations. Think about the automation behind continuous updates and deployments for apps like Google services or Spotify. This is what you’re working with.

Main tasks:

Automating development processes for efficiency
Managing infrastructure as code for consistency
Monitoring and maintaining production systems
Collaborating with development and operations teams

Best suited for: If you love automation, enjoy making processes run smoothly, and have a passion for improving software delivery, this role is ideal.

Average salary of jobs available: $122,950

Current # of jobs: 552,377

Learn more: Want to dive into the world of DevOps? Start your journey with this career path.

Mobile Developer

As a Mobile Developer, you’ll create applications for mobile devices using various programming languages and frameworks. Picture yourself developing popular mobile apps like Instagram and TikTok, or games like Candy Crush.

Main tasks:

Designing and coding mobile apps
Testing and debugging applications to ensure smooth performance
Ensuring app usability and performance
Collaborating with designers and other developers

Best suited for: If you love building mobile applications and have a passion for mobile technology, this career path is perfect for you.

Average salary of jobs available: $114,431

Current # of jobs available: 54,411

Learn more: Ready to craft the next big app? Start your journey with this career path to get started.

UX/UI Designer

As a UX/UI Designer, you’ll focus on the design and user experience of digital products.

Imagine designing the user experience for apps like Airbnb or websites like Spotify. As a UX/UI Designer, your job is to create visually appealing and intuitive interfaces for websites, applications, and software.

Main tasks:

Designing user interfaces that are visually appealing and intuitive
Conducting user research and testing to improve designs
Creating wireframes and prototypes to visualize concepts
Collaborating with developers and stakeholders

Best suited for: If you love combining creativity with technology and have a passion for crafting engaging user experiences, this role offers a fulfilling path.

Average salary of jobs available: $112,198

Current # of jobs available: 297,268

Learn more: Ready to craft engaging user experiences? Begin your career with this career path.

Blockchain Developer

As a Blockchain Developer, you’ll specialize in developing and implementing blockchain-based solutions, such as the secure and transparent systems behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Main tasks:

Designing blockchain architecture for various applications
Developing smart contracts to automate transactions
Implementing security measures to protect data
Collaborating with other developers on blockchain projects

Best suited for: If you're fascinated by blockchain technology and excited about building secure and transparent systems, this career could be very rewarding.

Average salary of jobs available: $111,845

Current # of jobs available: 33,986

Learn more: Ready to dive into blockchain development? Start your journey with this career path to get started.

Which will you choose?

So there you have it - 10 of the highest-paying tech roles in 2024.

Each of these careers offers more than just a hefty paycheck; they provide exciting opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology and make a significant impact in the digital world.

Whether you’re passionate about building apps, safeguarding data, or developing intelligent systems, there’s a role for you. The tech industry is vast, and each of these positions offers a unique blend of challenges and rewards.