Information technology (IT) is a dynamic and ever-evolving field. Mastering in-demand tech skills can significantly boost your career and compensation. If you’re looking to pivot or advance, consider focusing on the following crucial tech skills.
Employers are constantly searching for professionals with the most current and relevant skills. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily business operations, valuable opportunities arise for those with the right expertise. By mastering a strategic combination of practical know-how, technical experience, and software proficiency, you can truly impress your boss and excel in your career.
Cybersecurity
The year 2020 saw a staggering 2,935 publicly reported security breaches, marking it as the worst year for cybersecurity. Consequently, executives have significantly increased cybersecurity budgets, with some boosting them by at least 55%. There’s a high demand for full-time security specialists to combat ever-growing online threats.
Focusing your efforts within the cybersecurity niche can be overwhelming, but cloud security and application integrity currently show the most promise, and are projected to grow by 115% and 164% respectively. Key skills for app development include app security code review, secure container implementation, and microservices security.
DevSecOps is particularly lucrative, offering premiums that can equal up to 19% of your base pay. Cloud security specialists can specialize in areas such as Google Cloud security, Azure security, public cloud security, cloud security architecture, and infrastructure.
Cybersecurity certifications will continue to be valuable and command high salaries. Consider pursuing credentials such as:
- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
- CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner
Full Stack Development
While not a new skill, developers, particularly front-end, back-end, and full-stack professionals with strong coding skills, are consistently in high demand.
Full-stack software development ranked 2nd and showed rapid growth with a rate of 161.9%. Hiring rates for full-stack engineers have been steadily increasing in the US, at roughly 35% per year since 2005. Highly sought-after coding skills include:
- JavaScript
- Python
- Go
- Swift
- React
- Angular
- Spring
- Django
JavaScript remains the most widely used programming language. Go is particularly in demand due to a shortage of developers skilled in it. Angular and React are valuable for front-end development, while Spring and Django are popular back-end frameworks.
Blockchain
Despite the recent downturn in cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology remains relevant for crowdfunding, identity management, peer-to-peer payment platforms, digital voting, and file storage.
Employers are seeking developers with blockchain expertise for building decentralized apps and smart contracts. Key blockchain skills include database design, networking, and proficiency in programming languages like JavaScript, Java, Solidity, Python, Go, and C++.
Blockchain engineers command similar salaries to Machine Learning specialists, averaging around $162,000. Financial institutions and major tech companies like Microsoft, Facebook, IBM, and Amazon are actively developing blockchain services.
Cloud Computing
As businesses transition to cloud-based solutions, cloud computing skills are highly marketable. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence services are now hosted on cloud platforms, resulting in a 107% increase in cloud-related job openings between 2017 and 2020 in the US.
Mastering AWS (Amazon Web Services), the leading cloud service provider, enhances your professional value. AWS-certified professionals earn more, with an average salary of $130,272. Other valuable cloud computing skills include DevOps, Microsoft Azure, Kubernetes, and Docker.
Cloud engineering has long-term demand as more IT solutions migrate to cloud-based platforms.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are driving innovation across industries. The hiring rate for AI specialists has increased by 74% in recent years.
Machine learning engineers have seen a 344% increase in job openings. Specialists with skills in Python, natural language processing, Java, TensorFlow, and R command an average salary of up to $140,000 annually in the US.
Mastering skills like building Chatbots, a highly sought-after specialization within ML and AI, can significantly boost your earning potential. AI specialists have access to diverse tech jobs in data science, product management, and software engineering.
Key areas within machine learning include statistical pattern recognition, neural networks, unsupervised learning, deep learning, recommender systems, and anomaly detection.
Virtual, Augmented, and Extended Reality
Extended Reality (XR), a combination of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), is transforming various industries, including education, manufacturing, entertainment, advertising, and health. Software specialists in XR tech are in high demand, with a hiring growth rate of 1400%.
The market size for AR/VR is projected to reach $215 billion. Top enterprises like NVIDIA, Facebook, Google, HTV, and Snapchat are utilizing XR, experiencing significant growth as a result of the pandemic.
There is also a growing need for XR quality assurance specialists who can troubleshoot algorithms and interpret outputs for other tech departments.
Analytics and Data Science
Data analytics and data science are highly sought-after skills closely linked to big data, with revenues projected to grow by 14.1% in 2026. 84% of tech enterprises use big data initiatives and advanced analytics to improve accuracy and accelerate decision-making.
Data science has consistently ranked at the top of emerging jobs reports. While related, data analysis is often an entry-level skill, while data science is more advanced.
Industries requiring data specialists include finance, software development, health, education, and e-retail. Data scientists earn an average salary of $101,000 and are consistently ranked among the best jobs in the US.
Data analysis and science specialists provide overviews, analysis, and interpretations of big data to drive better decision-making. Mastering these skills allows you to build projects with an understanding of neural networks, classifiers, and ML algorithms.
IoT or Internet of Things and Big Data
The Internet of Things (IoT) encompasses devices that communicate with each other, including smartphones, wearable tech, and smart sensors. Data security is a major concern in IoT, making professionals with IoT expertise highly sought after.
The average salary for an Internet of Things professional is $101,000, with the field poised for significant growth. By 2025, IoT is predicted to impact the economy by up to $11 trillion. Mastering this tech requires identifying solutions and network components with security risks and data management for prototype production.
Robotics
Robotics involves both hardware and software engineering, working with physical and virtual bots in areas like automated manufacturing, exploration robots, medical equipment, and entertainment animatronics. Automated tasks like virtual assistance and customer care utilize software that acts as virtual bots.
The robotics industry has grown by 40% annually and is a significant part of the $1.2 trillion AI sector. Combined with AI certification, robotic engineers can earn salaries up to $181,430.
As a robotic engineer, you can operate and adjust real-world robotic functions, such as movement across terrains in disaster recovery or healthcare. Mastering this skill means programming physical or virtual robots using languages like SQL, Python, Visual Basic, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
To qualify as a robotics process automation (RPA) engineer, you’ll need diverse technical skills in development, architecture, and analysis, along with expertise in Microsoft .NET Framework, business processes, communication, and process mapping.
User Experience and User Interface Designer
User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design are related but distinct. UI designers focus on creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces for apps and websites.
UX specialists conduct testing and research to understand how users interact with a website or app. They collaborate with UI designers and developers. UI designers focus on layout, visuals, and the overall feel of a virtual product, while UX professionals use testing and analysis to meet client needs.
A significant number of managers prioritize hiring UX specialists. Mastering UI/UX design requires proficiency with design tools and platforms, as well as knowledge of AI, VR/AR, and wearables.
These skills are crucial for navigating the tech landscape. Investing in these areas will ensure your career remains competitive and rewarding!
Which of these skills are you most interested in learning? Leave your comment below!
