2018 is shaping up to be another great year for people in tech. As more breakthroughs are taking center stage, from blockchain to virtual and augmented reality, there’s definitely a lot of new innovations to play around with and explore. This is especially exciting news for people who are looking for work in the tech space. Here’s 8 tech jobs that are set to grow at noticeable pace this 2018:
Software Engineer
Capable of proficiently wielding code to do their bidding, software engineers play an essential role in the tech space. By nature, software engineers are curious and their thirst for knowledge is insatiable. They are problem solvers who enjoy tackling bugs and errors that will normally confuse and frustrate others. Software engineers can work in a variety of settings, however, and there is no one linear path to expect. Some are employed to focus on streamlining testing processes for other departments while others are employed to build internal proprietary apps and frameworks. Currently, the median annual pay for software engineers is $100,700, but can increase depending on the candidate’s experience and skill set.
Data Scientist
Data scientists work to procure, process, and analyze data for companies. This data is then used to help understand customer behaviors and patterns, which is ultimately used to predict future supply and demand as well as any challenges ahead. To be considered for a data scientist job, candidates must have technical proficiency in at least one programming language, mainly Python or Java, as well as strong analytical and mathematical skills. A master’s or PhD is optional, but can definitely help you become a more marketable job candidate. Salaries for data scientists range between as low as $80,000 to as high as $200,000, depending on years of experience as well as the company you are working for, with Apple, Twitter, and Uber leading the top paying companies for data scientists.
Web Developer
Web developers are similar to software engineers, but their work is more focused on creating interactive and rich user interfaces. If you’ve visited a website before, then you’ve interacted with the work of a web developer. Every link that you click that redirects you to another webpage or logging into your social media account was made possible through the coding of a web developer. From working with graphic designers to design custom website fonts or pick the right images that will align with the company’s values and mission to building an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to browse and buy, web developers will continue to have an integral part this 2018. And with the starting salary hovering around $66,000, interest in getting into a web developer position will only get higher over time.
System Administrator
Job growth in tech isn’t solely reserved to those who code. People who make sure everything is up and running will also be pleased to know that there is higher market demand for them this 2018, one of which is system administrators. These professionals make sure business IT systems are up-to-date and running properly. If technical systems are buggy or slow, the engineers and developers who use them will be unable to write code and ship new updates efficiently. People in systems administration can expect to make anywhere between $60,000 to $85,000.
Quality Assurance Analyst
With unprecedented advancements in tech coming this 2018, there’s a lot of mobile apps and software products to be tested and screened for any technical issues. Demand for QA analysts are on the rise, as companies try to make sure their product launches aren’t sabotaged by an overlooked bug that affects the experience of the end user. As a quality assurance analyst, your job is to test single- and multi-page websites, mobile applications, proprietary systems, and just about anything built with code. The median salary you can expect from a QA analyst job ranges between $51,000 to $66,000.
Blockchain Developer
Cryptocurrencies finished off 2017 in loud fashion, to say the least, with Bitcoin spiking up to $20,000 per coin at one point and others following suit. This 2018, cryptocurrencies are expected to grow both in number of coins circulating the markets and the value of each one. For companies who want to take advantage of cryptocurrencies, either by launching their own ICO or initial coin offering or by investing in the right ones, knowledge of how blockchain works is key. For this very reason, blockchain developers are going to enjoy a rise in demand and marketability this 2018. People who are well-versed in C++ or JavaScript can get started in learning and mastering blockchain development. Land a gig and you can expect to make upwards of $100,000 per year.
Cybersecurity Administrator
Reports of cyber crime have increased at a staggering rate in the past five years. In fact, according to CSO Online, damages from cyber crime and hacks will cost companies upwards of $5 trillion per year in the next 5 years. To try and remedy this alarming figure, companies are expected to pump more into their cybersecurity budgets, spending more than $1 trillion between 2017 to 2021, according to reports from Gartner. As a security administrator, your job is to define and update network security protocols, keep track of company-wide security procedures, and integrate new strategies for securing the company’s data and systems. The average annual salary to expect for cybersecurity administration is currently at $76,000.
Help Desk
For business-to-consumer companies, help desks or support desk representatives are essential cogs in running an efficient profit-generating machine. This 2018, consumers are becoming more meticulous when looking for businesses to support and buy from. They know that for every product/service, there are dozens of businesses competing in the same niche. If you don’t have the right customer tech support in place, you’re bound to lose customers. Help desk staff should know some basic computer skills including getting around spreadsheets, logging in and out of enterprise systems, and navigating around the company’s chosen tech support UI. Most help desk technicians are paid by the hour, ranging from $17 to $30 an hour.
Final Thoughts
Tech jobs continue to flourish as society moves towards a more tech-driven era. If you are looking to jump into tech but cannot decide what position to apply for, use the 8 jobs above as a starting point.
This is a guest article from Summit Shah. What do you think the next big tech jobs will be? Let us know in the comments.
About the Author:
Summit Shah is a tech expert with several years of experience. He specializes in precise and effective implementation of technology into the workforce, having worked with more than 20 companies to improve their decision-making process, risk assessment, and scaling.