Highest Paying Jobs in Technology: US and UK

The highest paying jobs in technology are leadership and specialist roles. In the US, computer and information systems managers had a median of $175,140 in 2025, computer hardware engineers $161,740 and computer and information research scientists $140,300 (BLS). In the UK, full-time IT directors had a median of £91,671 in April 2025 (ONS).

Key facts

• US computer and information systems managers had a median pay of $175,140 in 2025, with 16 percent projected growth from 2025 to 2035. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Systems Managers, Aug 2026)
• US software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers had a median pay of $134,040 in 2025 and about 1,905,400 jobs. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers, Aug 2026)
• US information security analysts had a median pay of $129,180 in 2025, with 21 percent projected growth to 2035. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, Aug 2026)
• US data scientists had a median pay of $120,230 in 2025 and are among the fastest growing occupations, with about 35 percent projected growth to 2035. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fastest growing occupations, Aug 2026)
• In the UK, full-time information technology directors had a median gross annual pay of £91,671 in April 2025 (provisional), and programmers and software development professionals £56,914. (Office for National Statistics, ASHE Table 14.7a (provisional 2025), Oct 2025)
• US computer programmers are projected to decline 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, while software developers are projected to grow 10 percent. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Programmers, Aug 2026)

Technology is one of the best paid fields you can enter, and the highest paying jobs in technology are not only for programmers. Official data shows that managers, architects, security specialists and data scientists earn more than twice the national median in the US, and IT directors in the UK earn well over double the UK median. Many of these roles are also growing fast.

This guide uses official figures only. US pay is the 2025 median from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, published in August 2026, with projections from 2025 to 2035. UK pay is the provisional April 2025 median for full-time employees from the Office for National Statistics. The US median for all jobs was $50,980 in 2025, and the UK full-time median was £39,039.

Highest paying jobs technology offers in the US

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook occupation profiles, 2025 median pay and 2025 to 2035 projections.

Highest paying jobs in technology in the UK

Source: Office for National Statistics, ASHE Table 14.7a, provisional April 2025, full-time employees.

Do not compare the two tables directly. They use different currencies, job groups and tax systems. Both show the same pattern: leadership and architecture roles pay the most, then specialist roles such as security and software development, then operations and support.

What the top roles do

Computer and information systems managers

They plan and run an organisation's technology: systems, teams, budgets and security. Titles include IT director, head of engineering and chief technology officer. The BLS lists a bachelor's degree and five or more years of related experience as the usual route. Growth is projected at 16 percent.

Computer hardware engineers

They design and test computer chips, circuit boards and devices. Most have a degree in computer or electrical engineering. It is a smaller field than software, but one of the best paid.

Computer and information research scientists

They invent new ways to use computers, from new algorithms to new kinds of software. A master's degree is the usual entry route, and many work in research labs, universities or large technology firms.

Network architects

They design the networks that connect offices, data centres and cloud services. Most come from network administration and need five or more years of experience.

Software developers

They design and build applications and systems. With about 1.9 million jobs in the US, it is the largest high paying tech role. Testers and quality assurance analysts are part of the same group.

Information security analysts

They protect systems and data from attacks. Demand is strong as threats grow, with 21 percent projected growth. Certifications are common in this field.

Data scientists

They use statistics, programming and domain knowledge to find patterns in data and build models. It is one of the fastest growing jobs in the US.

Which tech roles are growing and which are shrinking

Growth matters as much as pay. In the US from 2025 to 2035, data scientists (35 percent), computer and information research scientists (22 percent), information security analysts (21 percent) and computer and information systems managers (16 percent) are projected to grow fastest.

Some roles are expected to shrink. Computer programmers are projected to fall 7 percent, network and computer systems administrators 4 percent and computer support specialists 3 percent. Routine coding and support tasks are increasingly automated or moved into broader roles. The lesson is clear: the safest tech careers combine technical skill with design, judgement, security or leadership.

Skills that raise your pay in technology

• Cloud platforms. Most systems now run in the cloud, and cloud skills are asked for in many high paying roles.
• Security. Every role benefits from knowing how to build and run systems safely.
• Data. Working with data, from simple queries to machine learning, opens many doors.
• System design. Knowing how parts fit together is what separates senior engineers and architects from juniors.
• Communication. Explaining technical choices to non-technical people leads to lead and manager roles.
• Domain knowledge. Understanding a field such as finance, health or logistics makes your technical work more valuable.

How to move into a top tech job

1. Pick a track. Software, security, data, infrastructure and hardware each have their own skills and routes.
2. Build real projects. A small, working project with clear notes shows more than a long list of courses.
3. Get your first role. Junior developer, support, testing and analyst roles are common entry points.
4. Specialise. After a few years, deepen your skills in one area, such as cloud, security or data.
5. Take on design and people. Leading a project, mentoring others or owning a system is the usual path to senior, architect and manager roles.

Tech job titles in plain words

• Software developer: builds apps, websites and systems.
• Tester: checks that software works and finds bugs before users do.
• Data scientist: finds patterns in data and builds models that predict things.
• Security analyst: protects systems and data from attacks.
• Network architect: designs how computers and offices connect.
• Database administrator: keeps data safe, fast and organised.
• Systems analyst: works out what a business needs and how technology can deliver it.
• IT manager: leads teams, budgets and plans for technology.

A day in three tech roles

A software developer might start with a short team meeting. Then comes focused time to write and test code. In the afternoon there may be a review of a colleague's work and a talk with a designer about a new feature. Much of the job is solving problems one small step at a time.

A security analyst might begin by checking alerts from the night. Some are false alarms. Others need a closer look. Later in the day there could be a review of a new system to find weak spots, or training staff to spot fake emails.

A data scientist might spend the morning cleaning data, which takes more time than most people expect. Then comes building and testing a model. The day often ends with a short report or chart that explains the results to managers in simple terms.

Starting from zero

You can start a tech career without a tech degree. Many people move in from other fields. The key is to pick one track and build proof. Learn the basics through a structured course. Then build two or three small projects that solve real problems. Put them online with short notes on what you did and why. Apply for junior, support, testing or analyst roles. Your first job matters less than what you learn in it. After a year or two, you can move toward the role you want.

Remote work in technology

Tech is one of the fields where remote work is most common. Many software, data and security roles can be done from home, at least part of the week. Remote roles often attract many applicants, so a strong portfolio and clear writing help you stand out. Some employers hire across borders, but you still need the right to work and a way to be paid legally. Check the contract terms carefully.

Writing a tech CV

Keep it short and clear. Start with a two line summary of your track and strongest skills. List your main tools and languages, but only the ones you can talk about with confidence. For each job or project, show what you built and the result, such as faster load times, fewer errors or happier users. Link to your projects. Use the words from the job advert, because many employers use software to screen CVs first.

Interview tips

• Expect a technical task or test. Practise explaining your thinking out loud.
• Be ready to walk through one of your projects from start to finish.
• Prepare examples of working in a team and solving a hard problem.
• Ask about the team, the tools, how work is planned and how people learn.

Common mistakes

• Jumping between many languages without finishing a real project.
• Listing skills you cannot explain in an interview.
• Ignoring soft skills such as writing and teamwork.
• Chasing only the highest paid title instead of the next realistic step.
• Forgetting security and testing, which every employer values.

Example: from support desk to security analyst

This example was written for this guide and is not about a real person. Tariq started on an IT support desk after a short course. He noticed that many calls were about suspicious emails, so he began to study security in the evenings. He earned an entry level security certificate and offered to help with the company's email filter. A year later he joined the security team as a junior analyst. Three years after that he was leading incident reviews and earning well above the national median.

Pay beyond the base salary

Official medians show base wages. In technology, other pay can matter a lot. Many firms pay bonuses tied to company or team results. Some offer shares or stock options, which can be worth a great deal or very little. On call pay is common in infrastructure and security roles. Training budgets, conference time and paid certifications are also part of the value. When you compare offers, ask how bonuses and shares work and how often pay is reviewed.

How location changes tech pay

Tech pay varies a lot by place. Large tech hubs tend to pay more, but living costs there are high too. Remote roles may set pay by where you live, by where the company is based, or by one rate for everyone. Ask which rule applies before you accept. To compare fairly, look at what you keep after tax and rent, not only the salary. A lower salary in a cheaper city can leave you better off.

Is a tech career right for you?

Tech suits people who enjoy solving puzzles, like learning new tools and can focus for long periods. It also rewards curiosity: the best engineers keep asking how things work and how they could work better. The field changes fast, so you will keep learning for your whole career. If that sounds exciting rather than tiring, tech is a strong choice. If you prefer work with people, roles such as product, project management or technical support let you use tech skills while working closely with others.

Checklist before you choose a tech path

• I know which track I want: software, security, data, infrastructure or hardware.
• I have checked official pay and real job adverts for that track.
• I have one or two projects that show my skills.
• I know the first job title I will apply for.
• I have a plan to keep learning after I am hired.

How to read the official figures

A median is the middle value. Half of the workers in a job earn more and half earn less. New staff usually start below it, and senior staff often earn well above it. The US figures cover workers on wages and salaries, so freelancers and business owners are not fully counted. The UK figures cover full-time employees only. Both are national, so pay in a big city can be higher and pay in a small town lower. Use the figures as a fair starting point, then check real job adverts in the place you want to work.

Job groups also differ between the two countries. In the US, software developers and testers are counted together. In the UK, testers have their own group. So a title can look better or worse paid just because of how it is grouped. When you research a role, read the full description of the group, not only its name.

One more tip: look at the trend, not only today's number. A role with good pay and strong projected growth, such as security or data science, is likely to offer more choice and better raises over the next ten years than a role with high pay but falling demand. Check the outlook column in the tables above before you commit to a path, and review it again every year or two as you plan your next step.

Finally, remember that the people who earn the most in tech are rarely the ones who know the most tools. They are the ones who solve real problems for real users, explain their work clearly and keep learning year after year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Systems Managers, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 3 October 2026.
2. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 3 October 2026.
3. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 3 October 2026.
4. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Programmers, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 3 October 2026.
5. Fastest growing occupations, 2025 and projected 2035, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 3 October 2026.
6. Occupation (4 digit SOC): ASHE Table 14, Office for National Statistics. Accessed 3 October 2026.

Source: Dev Global Jobs, updated 10 November 2026.