ITCareerFinder analyzes wages and hiring data to identify the highest-paying information technology jobs.

This article will be updated annually with the latest tech jobs and salaries. Current year: 2023.

Pay may not be everything, but it’s very important. How important? According to a workforce study by Indeed, 93% of tech workers cite pay and benefits as the most important factor when considering a new job.

What’s more, in a rapidly changing field like information technology, workers often need to reach into their own pockets to acquire new skills and maintain their marketability. In other words, to make money in tech, you need money to invest in professional development.

To help you maximize your income potential, here is a look at 12 of the highest-paying technology jobs, why they are so valuable to employers, and what you need to land a position.

Business and education leaders share tips and tricks for overcoming the challenges of distance learning and getting the most value from your online education.

For many of us, the global coronavirus pandemic has made in-person learning a temporary impossibility, but even with the promise of a vaccine, the shift toward learning online is likely to be a permanent trend.

Beyond its current expedience, there are many advantages to pursuing a training or degree program online, including the ability to study at your own pace and schedule, practicing self-motivation, gaining expertise in the increasingly valuable array of digital collaboration tools, and saving money versus traditional classroom programs.

However, online learning, be it in front of your computer or on a mobile device, presents numerous challenges, from the lack of interaction with fellow students, to potential struggles with motivation, concentration, and time management.

For a deeper look at the challenges of distance learning and how to conquer them, we asked industry experts in business, education and technology for their best tips and tricks for online learning. Here’s what they had to say.

ITCareerFinder breaks down the pros and cons of majoring in computer science.

In our increasingly tech-driven world, computer science has emerged as a popular and promising undergraduate major. Aspiring CS professionals are drawn to the field for its exciting career opportunities, competitive salaries and broad applicability across industries. However, the pursuit of a computer science degree is not without challenges. From rigorous coursework to the fast-paced nature of the industry, there are several factors to consider before embarking on this academic journey. In this article, we will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of studying computer science, providing a comprehensive analysis to help prospective students make an informed decision about their education.

As the economy diversifies, so do the choices you face when you're preparing to enter the workforce. A four-year degree is no longer a must for many lucrative positions, nor is it an automatic ticket to career success. And with the cost of a traditional college education continuing to rise, student loans are becoming more of a burden, as well.

In short, it pays to look around at the growing number of alternatives that can jump-start you on a career path. Specialized professions in the culinary arts, sewing, carpentry, and money management (everything from credit to budgeting to investing) offer a wealth of opportunities through affordable certificate programs and apprenticeships.

But nowhere are the opportunities greater than in the IT field, which is good news because you can pursue training and certification in much of this space online. This has become even more crucial during the pandemic, as distance learning has become the norm in many places.

And if you're trying to save money (and who isn't?), here's some good news: There are numerous free online courses to explore, and plenty of places to get started.

Follow these steps to gain real-world expertise without a college degree:

Takeaway: This video provides an eye-opening look at the rapid progression of technology and social media in the global Age of Information.

Some of you will already be familiar with the "Did You Know?" video. The video - which you can watch right now below - began as a PowerPoint slideshow by Colorado middle school math teacher, Karl Fisch. Karl debuted the original presentation at a 2006 faculty meeting to fuel discussion with fellow teachers on how to prepare students for success in the technology-driven 21st century. This is the latest version, updated most recently in 2018.

If video does not load above, watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwtS6Jy3ll8.

I'm a huge fan of this video. I even used Did You Know? in a corporate seminar series about the speed of technology and the value of lifelong learning for a popular computer training firm. From executives and department heads to apprentice technicians and civilians, this thought-provoking video never failed to elicit ideas and interesting discussion. I hope it does the same for you. Enjoy!

Bonus: Did You Know? is the most comprehensive video, however there are some specialized versions, such as Did You Know? 4.0 which was created for The Economist magazine and highlights media convergence trends. Explore more releases on YouTube by searching "did you know" and "shift happens."

A technical staffing advisor with 20+ years of experience lays out the path for military veterans to successfully transition to a career in information technology.

If you’re nearing the end of active service and looking for a fast growing, high paying career with a bright future, you may want to consider a job in IT. Given that many of the skills and qualities you developed in the military apply to roles in information technology, a career in IT could be your best move.

Why IT? Let’s start with demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employers to add about 668,000 computer and information technology jobs by 2030 to reach a total of 5.7 million jobs. In fact, businesses would like to hire more tech workers but they can’t find qualified candidates — especially developers, engineers and cybersecurity pros. Even so, U.S. IT job growth is still in record territory with no signs of slowing down.

Then, there’s the money. The median salary for Computer and Information Technology Occupations is $86,320 as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than double the $41,950 median wage for all jobs nationwide. What’s more, the military or a prospective employer may even pay for IT training and certifications that will further enhance your skill set and market value.

There’s also a huge range of entry-to-mid level jobs that are appropriate for veterans who are just starting their civilian careers. Ready to get started? Here’s how veterans can navigate the transition into employment in the IT job market.

Master Technician, Darril Gibson, breaks down the essential soft skills for peak performance and upward mobility in IT help desk job roles.

Help desk technicians (and all IT professionals) need a full range of hard and soft skills to excel in their career. Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities, such as configuring Windows or troubleshooting a Cisco network, while soft skills refer to a person’s capacity to effectively interact with others. As demand for IT talent continues to rise and the workforce becomes more competitive, those who compliment their knowledge and training with superior soft skills will be in the best position for long-term success.

Here are five of the most advantageous soft skills for IT help desk technicians:

A survey of accomplished IT professionals indicates the passions and motivations that make for a successful career in the IT field.

As the CEO and founder of an IT training company, it’s my job to try and understand what makes IT professionals love their jobs enough to keep coming back for more. A question I am constantly asking people is, why IT?

My company recently surveyed over 2,000 IT professionals nationwide in an attempt to answer this very question. When asked why they stay in their careers, almost a majority (47 percent) said the most important factor was their love of technology. Interestingly, career advancement and ease of finding new opportunities in the field were at the bottom of the barrel, with 65 percent of respondents saying these ranked lowest in their book.

Rank why you continue to work in IT