If long-term demand is any indication, technology is a good — or maybe even great — career. And the industry’s generous pay makes tech an even more attractive field. But is technology a good career path for you? Read on to find out.
The Tech Job Market
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts the U.S. will add around 377,500 computer and IT roles each year between 2022 to 2032, which outpaces the average for all occupations.
Some employers may be desperately scrambling to fill those job openings. Seventy-two percent of tech workers surveyed in the fall of 2021 by TalentLMS and Workable said they were considering quitting their jobs or exploring new career opportunities within the next 12 months.
Between the ongoing demand and the potential exit of some employees, someone interested in tech — particularly someone with tech knowledge and experience — might find a career path in tech especially smooth.
“Although you may have seen headlines about job cuts in the tech sector, technology remains a good career path,” says Erica Mobley, business development manager at New Orleans-based Sentient Digital, a provider of software and tech services for businesses and government agencies. “The tech sector is very broad and hiring needs vary widely by company. In constantly developing fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, new talent will always be needed.”
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Types of Careers in Tech
The tech sector offers an array of careers.
“A career in technology is an excellent choice,” tech entrepreneur Brian David Crane says. “There are so many different niches within the field of technology, from software and app development to database management, cybersecurity to artificial intelligence (AI). Whatever your interest may be, tech workers are always in demand.”
Computer programmers, software engineers, and software developers use programming skills to build apps, websites, and software, while data scientists, database architects, and data engineers specialize in storing, sorting, and analyzing massive amounts of data.
>>MORE: Learn the differences between software engineers and developers.
Other roles in tech include:
- Systems administrator
- IT support specialist
- Quantitative analyst
- Computer network architect
- Information security analyst
- Data analyst
- Quality assurance (QA) tester
With a career in tech, you can work in a diverse array of industries. For instance, tech specialists can work for finance and banking companies, maintaining highly confidential client information or performing quantitative analysis to predict how the stock market will behave. You could also work in manufacturing, perfecting supply chains to keep products moving, or in health care, developing new processes for medical diagnostics. The options are nearly limitless.
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Entry-Level Tech Jobs
While many tech employers prefer to hire workers with bachelor’s or master’s degrees, some are willing to take a chance on entry-level workers who don’t have college degrees or even any tech experience. Among these jobs are:
- App developer
- Computer technician
- Data entry specialist
- Technical writer
- Help desk specialist
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What Do Tech Jobs Pay?
Tech jobs generally pay far more than typical jobs do. For example, the BLS says the median annual pay for computer and IT jobs in May 2023 was $104,420, more than double the median annual pay for all occupations ($48,060).
“Compensation varies widely by position and company, but in the tech industry in general, with its demand for rare skill sets, earning potential may be higher than in many other fields,” Mobley says.
Average annual salaries for some common roles in tech include:
- Computer user support specialists: $63,640
- Web developers: $95,570
- Computer programmers: $107,750
- Data scientist: $119,040
- Database architects: $137,030
- Software developers: $138,110
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How to Get Into a Technology Career Path
While most tech careers require a degree in a relevant field, it’s possible to break into a technology career path if you can show you have the right hard skills to get the job done.
Education
The most straightforward path into a tech role is by going to school for a relevant degree. Studying computer science, information technology, data science, or information research science can help you build a strong foundation in the necessary hard skills. Depending on the role or employer, an advanced degree in tech can help, too. For instance, a Ph.D. in data science can be a great way to advance a career in data and research.
However, you don’t always need a degree to get a career in tech. You may be able to get your foot in the door straight out of high school with certain roles like computer user support specialists, quality assurance analysts, or information technology (IT) analysts.
Additionally, your skills are the most important factor for many employers, so alternative ways to learn the required skills may be an option. Using coding bootcamps, online courses, and self-study practices, you can build an online portfolio of work that displays your skills.
>>MORE: Build your cybersecurity skills with our picks for the best cybersecurity bootcamps for 2024.
Core Tech Skills Required
Tech jobs generally require more hard skills versus soft skills, but both kinds of skills are important to succeeding in the tech industry.
Hard skills you might need include:
- Data analysis and visualization
- Programming in languages like Java and Python
- Software development
- Cybersecurity
- Research
- Git and GitHub
- Agile methodologies
- Project management
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- Critical thinking
- Decision-making
- Analytical skills
- Creative thinking
- Adaptability
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Pros and Cons of Tech Careers
No career is perfect, and a tech career is no exception. Here are some of the pros and cons of tech careers.
Pros of Tech Careers
One of the pluses of a tech career is the myriad options for someone heading down this career path. As Crane points out, the range of specialties in the tech sector includes app development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, database management, and software development.
“It’s a field with a lot of growth potential,” Crane says.
Furthermore, Crane emphasizes that many tech workers enjoy great flexibility in terms of work schedules and remote work. A 2023 study by OwlLabs found that one in four workers surveyed would be willing to take pay cuts if it meant an increase in flexible working hours. For tech workers, 73% said working remotely is extremely or very important to them, according to Dice’s 2023 Tech Sentiment Report.
Mobley also notes that a tech career allows someone to apply their skills in a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry, ensuring that you’ll seldom be bored.
“If you’re a lifelong learner, you’ll do well in the field of technology, as skills need to constantly be maintained and improved,” Crane says.
Cons of Tech Careers
Crane cites stress as one of the drawbacks of a tech career, most notably if you’re on the frontlines of ensuring technology is running smoothly.
“Bugs and breaches can always happen,” he says, “and you’re responsible for resolving these issues as soon as possible. If a website is down, it’s lost money.”
In addition, although some people might view it as a pro, others might view it as burdensome to need to continually learn and adapt to succeed in tech, Mobley says. For instance, you might have to regularly become certified in emerging facets of technology, such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
And while tech workers are generally in high demand, industry layoffs can and do happen, particularly at cash-strapped tech startups. As of mid-April, 74,000 tech workers have been laid off in 2024, and more than 260,000 lost their jobs in 2023. At the same time, some tech companies have been yanking job offers before new hires have started work.
“Many technology startups that saw tremendous growth in 2020, particularly in the real estate, financial and delivery sectors, are beginning to see a slowdown in users,” wrote Andrew Challenger, senior vice president of outplacement firm Challenger Gray & Christmas.
Explore more career paths:
- Is Finance a Good Career Path?
- Guide to the Software Engineer Career Path
- Business Analyst Career Path: What’s the Trajectory?
- Is Health Care a Good Career Path?
- Is Commercial Banking a Good Career Path?
- Is Energy a Good Career Path?
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