Who's Making The Big Bucks?
Two people walk into a tech conference. One just bought a Tesla. The other? Still budgeting for new headphones. Same field, wildly different paychecks. That’s the strange part about tech: it’s not all gold. So who’s making bank, and who’s barely getting by? Here’s the breakdown, top to bottom of the 10 highest and lowest paying jobs in tech.
1. AI Software Engineer
At around $147,000, this role blends advanced coding with machine learning implementation. AI software engineers build intelligent systems that adapt and improve over time. From recommendation engines to predictive analytics, their work powers the tools behind modern automation, often within product-focused tech firms.
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2. Cloud Solutions Architect
Every modern company relies on the cloud, and that reliance comes with a paycheck of $226,000. Cloud architects build the backbone of scalable storage and deployment systems. Certifications like AWS Solutions Architect or Google Cloud Architect are often key to landing this role.
3. Software Engineering Manager
Before any app lands on a user’s device, someone steers the team behind it. Software engineering managers coordinate timelines, resolve blockers, and guide talent. Salaries average around $256,000, often climbing during critical product pushes. Their impact shapes both delivery speed and long-term team stability.
4. Data Warehouse Architect
At the enterprise scale, raw data means nothing without structure. These architects build frameworks to store and retrieve data for analysis. With the rise of cloud warehousing platforms, their skillset is in high demand, and they earn about $140,202 per year.
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5. DevOps Engineer
The DevOps role, with an average U.S. salary of $128,684, was created to close the gap between fast-moving software development and the stability-focused world of IT operations. But it’s more than pipeline automation. These engineers enable continuous deployment and manage complex toolchains to keep everything running smoothly.
6. Cyber Security Engineer
One breach can bankrupt a company. That’s why cyber security engineers are indispensable, with salaries upwards of $156,000 annually. They craft systems to detect vulnerabilities and protect critical assets, especially in high-stakes sectors like defense and government contracting, where failure is not an option.
7. Product Manager
Vision, coordination, and user insight are the trio driving top product managers. These professionals sit at the intersection of business and engineering to translate market needs into shippable software. Salaries often reach $122,506, mainly when overseeing cross-functional teams in fast-scaling environments.
8. Machine Learning Engineer
There’s a clear distinction between AI researchers and machine learning engineers, who earn an average of $165,729. This role focuses on building deployable, scalable models trained on real-world data. Think personalization algorithms or recommendation engines, often paired with equity in tech-first companies.
9. Full Stack Developer
It’s one thing to know JavaScript or Python; it’s another to own both front-end and back-end logic. Full-stack developers are versatile builders who can prototype quickly and iterate faster. With frameworks like React and Node.js in their toolkit, they earn around $127,702.
10. Database Administrator
DBAs are essential to uptime and data integrity, with a median salary of $123,100. They manage performance tuning, backups, security access, and disaster recovery. Their impact is silent but critical, especially in institutions running legacy systems where precision is everything.
While some titles pull six figures, others barely cover the basics. Let’s look at the roles keeping the lights on without the luxury salary.
1. IT Support Specialist
Every tech operation leans on these frontline troubleshooters. From setting up workstations to solving user logins, their day covers it all. Despite their importance, salaries average around $69,237. For newcomers, it’s a stepping stone that offers firsthand insight into the technical backbone of organizations.
2. Help Desk Technician
This role often handles the same user question for the hundredth time. Help desk technicians provide tier-one assistance. Though entry-level, it’s a proving ground for those eyeing promotions into systems admin or cybersecurity roles. They typically earn nearly $46,069.
3. QA Tester
Before any software goes live, QA testers hunt bugs and ensure it works as expected. Their contributions often go unseen until something breaks. Many earn around $74,691, though automation expertise can nudge that figure upward. Still, manual testers remain among the lowest-paid.
4. Hardware Technician
This position involves assembling, testing, repairing, and replacing physical components like drives and circuit boards. Often employed in schools or entry-level IT, a hardware technician’s average salary is around $59,877. Though vital to daily operations, the role is considered low-paid in the tech field.
5. Computer Repair Technician
Behind every office running smoothly is someone swapping out broken drives and reloading systems. Repair techs often work on-site or in service centers, with annual compensation averaging just $32,627. The role’s physical nature and declining hardware dependence have kept wages frustratingly low.
6. IT Operations Assistant
This behind-the-scenes role helps manage IT workflows, handling inventory, system monitoring, and internal documentation. Often tasked with routine checks and escalation prep, it’s a support-heavy position requiring precision over complexity. Salaries average around $52,000, placing it firmly in the lower tech pay tier.
7. Network Cable Installer
At about $78,915, the role isn’t cloud-based or glamorous, but it keeps businesses connected. Network cable installers handle physical wiring and ensure communication flow. Most positions don’t require a degree, just training and certifications. It’s technical labor with limited upward salary mobility.
8. Computer Lab Technician
Bringing in roughly $46,864 per year, this job is essential to the smooth operation of academic and corporate training labs. Lab technicians install software, maintain workstations, manage peripherals, and support users during sessions. Because it’s often limited in scope, it’s one of the more modestly paid positions in the tech ecosystem.
9. Data Entry Clerk
The task is simple: input, verify, repeat. Data entry clerks rarely need deep technical know-how but work within tech environments like CRMs or ERP systems. With automation on the rise, this role is slowly fading. Still, it often serves as a stepping stone, earning about $50,672 annually.
10. IT Technician
Earning about $74,295 annually, this hands-on job focuses on keeping systems running through hardware repairs and on-site support. Unlike help desk roles, IT technicians often deal directly with physical infrastructure. It’s a lower-paid yet essential position within the core tech workforce, especially in hardware-dependent environments.
