Stress is part of the job for health care workers
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While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects just 3% growth for all careers between 2022 and 2032, computer and information technology jobs are expected to increase by 14%. This is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country with various lucrative positions that allow you to enjoy a six-figure salary in a cutting-edge career.
User experience (UX) designers evaluate and optimize how individuals interact with digital products or interfaces, such as website navigation, mobile app use, augmented reality functions, virtual reality experiences, and digital gameplay. UX includes both the straightforward functionality of the product and the emotions associated with product use. A successful UX design leaves the customer satisfied with their experience and excited to use the product or service again.
For a new product, the responsibilities of a UX designer include assessing the client’s goals, building a customer persona, developing use scenarios, crafting storyboards and wireframes, developing prototypes, and conducting usability testing. UX designers may also work on existing products. In this case, the designer analyzes user feedback, evaluates user activity, performs detailed customer analysis, and develops a plan for product optimization and future development.
The average salary for a user experience designer is $101,500. These professionals typically have a bachelor’s degree, but this can come from many different areas of study, including marketing, psychology, technology, and visual design. UX designers must have strong process management skills and familiarity with tools such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Zeplin. This career also requires problem-solving, attention to detail, and collaboration skills.
Companies must remain competitive in today’s highly saturated digital marketplace. This requires extreme attention to detail and commitment to quality through every touchpoint. Quality assurance (QA) engineers monitor digital products through every stage of development, including the initial design, user testing, debugging phases, and final delivery. QA engineers set the product standards developers must meet and create testing methods and quality metrics to ensure compliance.
QAs engineers continue to develop and execute test plans throughout the product’s life cycle to ensure that the digital experience delivers the desired quality. Ongoing quality testing is important, as products routinely receive updates to keep up with changing platforms, new customer demands, and evolving technology.
A quality assurance engineer earns an average of $106,000. QA engineers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related subject. These professionals must also have experience in software development, black-box and white-box testing, international quality standards, automated testing tools, and relevant programs.
As of 2024, there are around 1.09 billion websites on the internet, with a new one popping up every three seconds. A whopping 71% of businesses maintained a website in 2023. Web analysts have the critical job of keeping these companies’ websites functional and competitive. They develop systems to collect and analyze data on website users and competitors. The analyst then assesses this data to determine where the website is succeeding and where it requires improvement.
As a web analyst, you’ll be responsible for drafting reports, making recommendations, collaborating with digital engineers, and continually assessing the success or failure of digital development projects. Web analysts must keep a finger on the pulse of the online community, evaluating customer behavior from several different viewpoints to ensure that the website performs well across all touchpoints.
The average salary for web analysts is $120,000. These professionals usually need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar field, although a high school diploma may suffice with equivalent experience. Web analysts must be proficient in common programming languages, analytics programs, and the Adobe Microsoft Office suites. Any company with a website can make use of a web analyst. While some work in-house, others offer their services as independent contractors or work for a web development company that manages the web presence for several clients.
Global spending on cloud computing is expected to hit $679 billion in 2024, so it’s no surprise that working in and on the cloud is among the best paying jobs in technology. Today, an incredible 96% of companies use the public cloud and 84% use the private cloud. Storing data in this once-ephemeral space is now common practice for nearly all businesses.
Cloud architects set up, test, and maintain cloud-based applications that store company data. These professionals make sure that information migrates safely to the cloud and stays secure within this architecture. An in-house cloud architect will identify the optimal infrastructure and service provider for the company’s cloud storage solutions. Businesses may also outsource their cloud-based storage services to a provider that employs its own cloud architects to onboard, manage, and serve clients.
The average salary for a cloud engineer architect is $129,500. These tech professionals typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a relevant field, as well as certifications such as CompTIA A+. This career path requires strong communication skills and attention to detail.
“Global spending on cloud computing is expected to hit $679 billion in 2024, so it’s no surprise that working in and on the cloud is among the best-paying jobs in technology.”
Every day, around 402.74 million terabytes of data are created. It’s anticipated that 147 zettabytes of new data will be generated in 2024 and another 181 zettabytes will be created in 2025. Collecting, organizing, and maintaining this information is a monumental task, which is why database architects are so important. A database architect designs, builds, and maintains systems for collecting, storing, organizing, and protecting massive amounts of data. They define the relationships between different pieces of data, create a structure for managing this information, and specify the constraints in which data is stored.
With the constant inflow of new data, this is an endless job. Database architects continually evaluate storage systems, identify bottlenecks, and optimize system performance. Employees often struggle to evaluate and use data as quickly as it arrives, and database architects play a crucial role in facilitating this task.
Database architects enjoy one of the best paying jobs in technology with an average salary of $136,500. These professionals typically need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, relevant work experience in information technology, and professional certifications such as the Certified Data Management Professional designation.
Information security managers update and maintain cybersecurity systems. They’re responsible for monitoring the company’s infrastructure and operations to ensure compliance with all cybersecurity policies. They continually collect and evaluate data to confirm that the company is operating within the proper guidelines regarding maintaining the privacy and security of internal data and customer information. This may include running simulated attacks to test the company’s response measures.
Information security managers strive to do all their work proactively. However, they’re also responsible for responding to security breaches or instances of security noncompliance and taking the appropriate measures to respond. Information security managers usually work full-time in an office environment. In a small company, this professional might work independently, while data security managers in large corporations oversee entire teams.
The average salary for an information security manager is $173,500. Roughly half of all information security managers have a bachelor’s degree and half have a master’s degree. These professionals must also maintain relevant certifications and stay up to date with the latest software and programs to protect their systems from continually evolving threats.
Exactly what do technology jobs pay in these areas? Your earnings will depend on factors such as industry, location, and experience. However, you can look for highly competitive salaries in the tech sector if you maintain a highly competitive resume. Sign up for email alerts with relevant job listings so you never miss an opportunity.
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