Highest Paying Tech Jobs in 2026

Are you thinking about getting into tech to earn the big bucks, but not sure which role to choose? 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.

Here's a list of the top-paying tech roles right now in 2026, based on the average salary of current jobs available. Not only that, but I also break down a quick overview 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 and get started right away.

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 US salary

• The data collected is the average from 3 sources: Indeed, LinkedIn, and Web3.career 2026

• Finally, there are technically higher-paying roles out there in the tech world that are not on this list. (Software Architect, Data Scientist, etc). The reason I've skipped these roles is because you usually need you to have X years of experience before you can apply, while each of the roles below allows you to get hired almost 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 based on average salary:

As you can see, all of the careers listed are over $100,000 per year, which is great. However, thanks to the huge growth in AI in the past few years, the AI and Machine Learning Engineer roles are leading the pack with the average salary of jobs open at a whopping $195,425!

Not bad right?

But before you run off and decide that this is the job for you, let's quickly break down each role on this list, so you can get a rough idea of what it entails.

AI Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer

From self-driving cars to fraud detection and recommendation engines on platforms like YouTube or Netflix, these engineers are responsible for the systems that allow machines to learn from data, make predictions, and improve over time.

Although technically different titles, AI Engineer and Machine Learning Engineer are often used interchangeably in job postings because the required skills overlap heavily. This is because both roles focus on building, training, and deploying machine learning models into real-world systems, with the title varying more by company than by day-to-day work.

As an AI or Machine Learning Engineer, you’ll work closer to the core intelligence of a product than most roles. Instead of just using AI models, you’ll design, train, optimize, and deploy them so they perform reliably at scale. (This is also what separates the role from an AI developer, who focuses more on integrating existing models into applications rather than building and refining the models themselves).

Main tasks include:

• Building and training machine learning models for real-world use cases

• Improving model accuracy, efficiency, and performance over time

• Deploying models into production environments

• Monitoring and refining models based on real data and outcomes

Best suited for: People who enjoy deep problem-solving, working with data, and pushing systems to improve over time. This role rewards strong analytical thinking and comfort with complex technical challenges.

Average salary: $195,425

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

Data Engineer

Every app, website, and business runs on data but raw data is messy, unstructured, and hard to use. That’s where Data Engineers come in. They build the pipelines and infrastructure that allow companies like Spotify, Airbnb, and Netflix to process and analyze massive amounts of information in real time.

As a Data Engineer, you’ll design scalable data systems, automate data processing, and ensure that data is clean, accessible, and ready for analysis. Your work powers everything from AI models and recommendation engines to business intelligence dashboards that drive critical decisions.

Main tasks:

• Designing and maintaining data pipelines that move information efficiently

• Optimizing databases and data storage for performance and scalability

• Transforming raw data into structured formats that analysts and AI systems can use

• Working with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) to manage big data workloads

Best suited for: If you love solving complex problems, want to work with large-scale systems, and making data usable, this career is a great fit.

Average salary of jobs available: $178,769

Learn more: Ready to become a Data Engineer? Check out this career guide to get started.

Blockchain Developer

Blockchain isn’t just about Bitcoin and Ethereum anymore. It’s now powering secure financial transactions, digital identities, supply chains, and even gaming assets.

As a Blockchain Developer, you’ll design and implement decentralized applications (dApps), smart contracts, and secure blockchain systems that ensure transparency, security, and trust across industries.

Main tasks:

• Developing smart contracts on platforms like Ethereum, Solana, or Hyperledger to automate transactions

• Building decentralized applications (dApps) for finance, gaming, and supply chain solutions

• Implementing cryptographic security measures to protect blockchain networks from attacks

• Optimizing blockchain architecture to improve transaction speed and scalability

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: $167,893

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

AI Developer

Ever used a chatbot that feels almost human? Or scrolled through Netflix and wondered how it knows exactly what to recommend? That’s the work of an AI Developer. It's someone who builds AI-powered features into real-world applications.

AI Developers focus on applying existing AI models (like GPT-4, OpenAI APIs, TensorFlow, and Hugging Face) to enhance software with intelligent automation, recommendations, and decision-making. Unlike AI Engineers, who work on optimizing and deploying AI models, AI Developers focus on integrating AI into products.

Main tasks:

• Building AI-powered chatbots, recommendation systems, and automation tools

• Using pre-trained AI models & APIs to enhance software applications

• Fine-tuning AI models for better accuracy and efficiency

• Collaborating with software engineers & data scientists to implement AI features

Best suited for: If you love AI, enjoy building smart applications, and want to work on cutting-edge technology without needing deep research expertise, this role is a great fit.

Average salary: $155,257

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

Cloud Engineer

Ever wondered how Netflix streams flawlessly, or how Spotify handles millions of users at once? That’s the power of cloud computing. And behind it all are Cloud Engineers who design, automate, and manage the infrastructure that keeps everything running smoothly.

As a Cloud Engineer, you’ll work with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud to deploy applications, scale systems, and optimize performance.

Main tasks:

• Architecting and managing cloud infrastructure to support high-traffic applications

• Automating deployments and scaling with tools like Terraform, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines

• Ensuring cloud security and compliance to protect sensitive data

• Optimizing cloud costs and improving 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: $154,788

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

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 work 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: $143,556

Learn more: Ready to become a Software Engineer? Start your journey with this career path or read this guide for more info.

DevOps Engineer

Ever wondered how banks process millions of transactions securely, how e-commerce giants handle Black Friday traffic, or how multiplayer games stay online 24/7? That’s the work of DevOps Engineers, who automate and optimize infrastructure to ensure reliability, scalability, and security.

As a DevOps Engineer, you’ll bridge the gap between development and IT operations, using automation, cloud platforms, and monitoring tools to streamline deployments, prevent downtime, and keep systems running at peak performance.

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 optimizing workflows, and want to make software delivery seamless, this role is a perfect fit.

Average salary: $141,226

Learn more: Want to dive into the world of DevOps? Start your journey with this career path, or read this guide for even more details.

Cyber Security Professional

As a Cyber Security professional (such as an analyst, ethical hacker 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. It's also great for people who are competitive (staying ahead of the competition), and people who like to find secrets or solve puzzles,

Average salary: $126,653

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

Full-Stack Developer

Ever wondered how Facebook, Shopify, or Airbnb seamlessly handle millions of users? As a Full-Stack Developer, you’ll be the architect behind the scenes, building both the front-end (what users see) and the back-end (how everything works behind the scenes) of web applications.

Your role is unique because you’ll work across the entire web development stack, ensuring that websites and applications run smoothly, load quickly, and function across devices.

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 both the front-end and back-end, love problem-solving, and want to be a jack-of-all-trades in web development, this career is a perfect fit.

Average salary: $115,887

Learn more: Ready to master both ends of web development? Check out this career path to get started, or read this guide for even more details.

Mobile Developer

Every day, billions of people use mobile apps, whether it’s ordering food, tracking workouts, or managing finances. As a Mobile Developer, you’ll design and build the apps that people rely on daily, from social media platforms to mobile banking and fitness trackers.

You’ll work with frameworks like Flutter, React Native, or Swift/Kotlin to create fast, user-friendly apps that run smoothly on both iOS and Android.

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: $109,976

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

Product Designer

Ever wondered why some apps feel effortless to use, while others leave you frustrated?

That’s the work of a Product Designer (often called UI/UX designers). They're the people responsible for making digital products both functional and beautiful. Whether it’s a sleek shopping experience on Amazon or a perfectly intuitive interface on Airbnb, Product Designers bridge the gap between user needs and business goals.

Your day-to-day work involves designing user-friendly interfaces, refining user experiences, and collaborating with developers to bring ideas to life.

Main tasks:

• Creating wireframes and prototypes to visualize app and website layouts

• Designing interfaces that are visually appealing and easy to navigate

• Conducting user research to understand customer behavior and improve designs

• Collaborating with developers to ensure smooth implementation.

Best suited for: If you love design, enjoy problem-solving, and have a passion for crafting seamless digital experiences, this role is perfect for you.

Average salary: $109,533

Learn more: Ready to become a Product Designer? Check out this guide for a roadmap from total beginner to getting hired.

Which will you choose?

And just like that, you now have a roadmap to the highest-paying tech careers in 2026.

Each role not only offer six-figure salaries but also let you work on game-changing technology, solve real-world problems, and shape the future.

The best part?

You don’t need years of experience to break in. With the right skills, you can land a high paying tech job in under 12 months and start building the career (and paycheck) you’ve been aiming for.

All you need to do is click any of the links above and follow the set roadmaps and guides. They'll take you from complete beginner with zero tech skills, to getting hired. You just need to choose one and get started!

Still unsure which career to choose?

No problem, I have your back!

• Check out this guide to learn which tech career is right for you

• After that, go ahead and check out this guide next to see which of these careers has the most open jobs and industry growth

Because high pay is great, but it's even better when there's less competition for roles!