Best IT jobs for tech savvy individuals

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Are you a tech savvy individual? Do you like working with computers from day to day? Are you looking for a high paying tech job? Then you are in the right place. From ethical hackers to software engineers, tech jobs offer a lucrative opportunity to make a lot of money.  

Technology is being adapted by various industries each day and thus the need for people with IT skills to satisfy the demand for these skills. As such, there will always be IT job openings for people to fill.  

In this article, you will get to know the highest paying IT jobs of 2024 and before you are done reading, you will have aq better understanding of which IT job you want to do.  

Here are the highest paying tech jobs of 2024:  

Best IT jobs of 2024  

#1. Ethical hacking  

Making it to the top of the list is ethical hacking. Also known as white hat hackers, these are skilled professionals with excellent technical knowledge and skills and know how to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in target systems. They work for companies and perform security checks to discover any vulnerabilities in their systems. 

Skills required for ethical hacking 

In order to work as an ethical hacker, you will require a deep understanding of various skills. Here are some of the most essential skills for an ethical hacker:  

• Networking  

• Communication  

• Operating Systems. Linux, Windows, Max, Ubuntu, Red Hat, etc.  

• Troubleshooting  

• Computer Hardware Knowledge  

• Programming  

• Reverse Engineering  

• Database Management Systems (DBMS) Skills  

• Penetration Testing Skills  

• Cryptography Skills  

What are the best certifications for ethical hacking?  

Here are the top certifications to back you up in your ethical hacking journey:  

• CompTIA PenTest+  

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)  

• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)  

• Certified Security Testing Associate (CSTA)  

• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)  

• GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)  

While most certification programs involve important knowledge and experience in the field of ethical hacking, it is important to combine your certification with a degree to increase your chances of landing a role.  

What are some of the jobs in ethical hacking?  

Here are some of the roles that require an ethical hacking certification:  

• Ethical hacker  

• Penetration tester  

• Security analyst  

• Vulnerability assessor  

• Information security analyst  

• Security consultant  

• Information security manager  

• IT consultant  

• Security engineer  

The demand for ethical hackers is extremely high with companies like IBM, Google, Microsoft and others having many job openings in this field.  

How much can you earn as an ethical hacker?  

According to Salary.com, an ethical hacker’s salary range falls between $96,580 and$121,221 with an average base salary of $107, 577.  

Beginners can expect to make around $72000 a year while the highly experienced hackers could make over $150,000.   

The salary could improve with experience and provision of certifications like the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification.  

JOB OUTLOOK  

The market for ethical hackers is projected to rise from $3.4 billion in 2023 to $10.24 billion in 2028 with a 33% increase in job openings from 2020 to 2030.  

Are ethical hackers happy?  

According to a survey by Career Explorer, ethical hackers rate their career happiness 4.0 out of 5 stars which puts them in the top 8% of careers.  

If you like testing systems and finding vulnerabilities in them, then this might be the perfect career for you.  

#2. Data Science  

This one comes as no surprise as it is one of the most popular and high paying IT jobs currently.  

These professionals work together with businesses and analysts to draw insights and make informed predictions about industry trends.  

What skills are required for data science?  

• Statistical analysis and computing  

• Machine Learning  

• Deep Learning  

• Data Visualization  

• Mathematics  

• Programming  

• Statistic  

• Big Data  

• Processing large data sets  

Let’s not forget that formal education is also vital. Generally, for one to become a data scientist, they will require at least a bachelor’s degree in data science or any other related field like Statistics or Mathematics.  

JOB OUTLOOK  

The employment of data scientists is projected to grow by 35 percent from 2022 to 2032 with around 17,700 new job openings each year over the decade in the US alone.  

The Economic Times predicts the creation of 11.5 million Data Scientist positions by 2026.  

The demand for data scientists is so high that according to the World Data Science Initiative, around 80% of firms are focused on building robust in-house data practices.  

How much can you make as a data scientist?  

The salary for data scientists varies from one country to another. Here are some of the countries which pay the highest for data scientists.  

JOB SATISFACTION  

According to a survey by CareerExplorer, data scientists rated their career happiness 3.3/5 stars putting them at the top 43% of careers. Not so bad, huh?  

#3. Software Development  

Software developers use their programming skills to create new software or improve existing software applications. They also design and write the code used in building operating systems, mobile apps and video games.  

What skills are required to become a software developer?  

The skills required are so many but here are the most in-demand skills:  

• Artificial Intelligence   

• Computing  

• Programming  

• Data Science  

• DevOps  

• Knowledge of programming languages: React, Java, Python, CSS, HTML, SQL, JAVA, etc.  

• Knowledge of UX design  

• Data analytics  

• Machine Learning  

• Blockchain Technology  

You can learn all these skills and much more by enrolling for a college degree. Which one, you may ask? Here are 3 degrees that can land you a job as a software developer.  

• Bachelor of science in Computer Science  

• Bachelor of science in Information Technology  

• Bachelor of Engineering (Software Honours)  

While many employers look for people with at least a bachelor’s degree and 2-5 years of experience, a demonstration of top-notch skills is usually enough to get a job. And yeah, that means that a degree is not a must for this job. Isn’t that cool?  

How much can you earn as a software developer in 2024?  

The average base salary for software developers in the US is around $136,295, however this may vary with companies and may be different in other countries.  

JOB OUTLOOK  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of software developers is projected to grow 22% from 2020 to 2030 which is much faster than the average for most occupations.  

Are software developers happy?  

Software development has been ranked as one of the top jobs in employment surveys. This is no surprise as over 70% of working developers are happy with their work.  

If you have a deep understanding of programming languages and love the idea of creating software applications, then this one might be the right one for you.  

#4. Game Development  

Have you always enjoyed playing video games? Have you ever thought of making them by yourself? Well, this might be just the one for you.  

Right from the name, it’s crystal clear that these are professionals who specialize in video game development. They write code for games for various formats like PCs, consoles, web browsers and mobile phones. Sounds easy, huh? Well, it’s not as easy as it may sound. It takes years of hard work to eventually be able to develop a video game.  

What are the requirements for a game developer?  

A bachelor’s degree in software engineering or any other related field is usually the best for a career in game development.   

While a college degree is not a must for you to land this job, it may be key in setting you apart from the competition.  

And yes, game development can be self-taught. You can start by learning the basics, building a portfolio and gaining work experience, and of course keep learning. You can also join communities on platforms like Telegram, Facebook and others where you can interact with others in this field.  

How much do game developers make?  

According to Zip Recruiter, game developers can earn salaries as follows:  

JOB OUTLOOK  

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 16% growth in positions for video game developers between 2022 to 2032 creating more jobs than ever.  

Are game developers happy?  

According to PayScale reports, the job satisfaction rate for video game developers is 3.8 out of five stars. Many are satisfied with their salaries with only a few having complaints about the issue.  

If you’re fascinated by video games and would love to be the one who makes them, then consider this career path.  

#5. Web Development  

Have you been stunned by how good looking some websites are and wondered if you could also create such websites by yourself? Well, don’t go just yet because that is my next and last IT career on my list to discuss.  

So, what does a web developer do?   

Web developers build functional, user-friendly websites and web applications. Their primary role is to make sure that the website is visually appealing and easy to navigate.  

You’re probably wondering what skills a web developer needs to have, right? Well, normally, a web developer needs to have a solid understanding of the following:  

• HTML  

• CSS  

• SQL  

• Python  

• JavaScript  

• Java  

• Responsive design  

• UI and UX design  

• Frameworks  

• Testing and Debugging  

Did you know that there are three types of web developers? Yeah, and I’m going to discuss them all right here.  

What are the types of web developers?  

1.) Front-end developers  

These developers build the front-end part of websites and web applications that users see and interact with. They use front-end programming languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Additionally, they use frameworks like Angular, Vue.js, React and Backbone to make more complex web applications.  

The amazing fact about this is that you can learn front-end programming in approximately 6 months depending on your pace of learning. You can enroll in an online course or take free lessons on websites like MyGreatLearning.com, Udemy and W3Schools.  

The average salary of a front-end developer is $114,464 per year in the US.  

2.) Back-end developers  

These developers are involved in data storage, security and other server-side functions that you cannot see. They typically require knowledge of back-end languages: Python, Java, C#, PHP, SQL, Ruby, C++ and Kotlin.  

Proficiency in back-end web development usually requires 6 months to one year of learning and practice. You can learn this by taking online lessons or enrolling in an online course.  

Back-end developers typically earn more than front-end developers making $153,979 per year, significantly more than what front-end developers make.  

3.) Full stack developers  

These are developers who can build both the client side and the server-side parts of a website. They have the skills of both front end and back-end developers.  

It can take around 9 months to learn full stack web development if you dedicate 10-15 hours a week, however, mastering it can take a few more years.  

These developers can make an average of $120,000 while more experienced workers can make up to $155,000 per year.  

JOB OUTLOOK  

The growth rate of this lucrative career is projected to be 23% from 2021 to 2031. And don’t be worried by AI, they can never replace web developers. Instead, they will transform the way work is done and make it easier.  

Are web developers happy?  

According to a survey by CareerExplorer, web developers rate their career happiness 3.3/5 stars putting them in the top 43% of careers.  

This might just be it for you if you are interested and determined about the development of websites and if you are super good at programming languages.  

FINAL TIP  

Now, while I have only given 5 IT careers, the IT industry offers a wide range of lucrative opportunities for one to choose from. From cloud architects to AI engineers to prompt engineers, you name them. All these offer you a chance to work in the IT industry and earn a good living from it. As you pursue a career in IT, it is crucial to keep on learning and staying updated with the latest industry trends.  

Good luck in your IT career. 

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