12 Highest Paying Jobs in Tech in 2024

Tech is one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide, and skilled individuals are in higher demand than ever before. 

One of the benefits of a career in technology is the higher-than-average salary that comes with it, especially in some specialist fields. 

In this article,  we will look at the  12 highest-paying jobs in the tech industry and maybe even give you food for thought for your own freelance IT business. 

1. Cloud Architect

A cloud architect is there to implement an organisation’s cloud computing strategy, integrating data and networks whilst working alongside internet security. 

The global cloud computing business was recently valued at 368.97 USD i and is expected to grow at 15.7% between 2024 and 2030. This means cloud architect job opportunities will continue to be in high demand for years to come. Depending on experience, a cloud architect consultant can earn between £51k and £133k per annum. The median salary is just over £75,000 or £38.46 per hour.

2. Data Scientist

A data science consultant is an in-demand career, especially for IT professionals with a quantitative background. It is considered a highly desirable position for any IT freelancer as data becomes increasingly important. 

As a result, the number of data scientist positions available is predicted to grow by 27.9% over the next  years. The average salary for a data scientist consultant in the UK is £60,000 with entry positions paying £50,000 and the more experienced data scientist earning up to £75,000. Based on the median salary of £60,000 a freelance data scientist can expect to earn £29.62 per hour.

3. Software Engineering Manager

A software engineering manager is there to oversee other software engineers and projects. These projects could involve software, applications or program design and development. 

The average software engineering manager in the UK earns £77,154, paying an hourly rate of £39.57 

Salaries for this position start at £67,488 and go up to £90,000 for the more experienced software engineering manager. The demand for software engineering managers is expected to grow by 2% annually until 2030.

4. Product Manager

In IT consultancy, it’s a product manager’s job to work with technical teams to determine the parameters of a new product and then guide the technical teams through the product creation process. 

From drawing board to launch to help companies achieve their strategic goals and build product portfolios. In the UK, a consultant product manager can make an average salary of £60,000 or £30.77 per hour. An entry-level product manager can make £40,000, with experienced product managers make up to £99,000.

5. Full-Stack Developer

IT consultants with Full-Stack developer experience are highly sought after within IT recruitment. This is because full-Stack developers are versatile individuals fluent in front- and back-end development and have expertise in every development stage of the development process from idea to implementation.

In the UK, the average full-stack developer earns £60,000 an hourly rate of £30.77 per hour. 

It is estimated there are currently 27.7 million developers globally, making it one of the highest-paying IT career paths. An entry-level full-stack developer salary can start at £32k and for the most experienced an earning potential of £102k is possible.

6. Mobile Applications Developer

According to Grand View Research, “The global mobile application market size was valued at USD 228.98 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3% from 2024 to 2030”.

With all the new mobile devices coming to market revolutionising how we shop, play, interact with each other and do business, mobile application development is quickly expanding. 

As a result, it is one of the most profitable industries to be involved in. Mobile applications developer is a role that is becoming in higher demand and is projected to grow as companies seek to grow their brand awareness and increase customer engagement through mobile apps.

In the UK, mobile app developers can earn an average salary of £41,574 per year or £20 per hour, with entry-level positions starting at £24k and highly experienced mobile app developers earning upwards of £72k.

7. Cybersecurity Engineer

With businesses now having a substantial online presence, cybersecurity has become a big concern for many and an essential component of any company that stores data online. 

Cyber security engineers are there to design and implement highly secure cyber solutions that protect businesses from data hackers and cyber attacks. This role is essential for large companies that deal with sensitive data. The average UK salary for a cybersecurity engineer is £63,750, which works out to an hourly rate of £32.69 per hour. 

Experienced consultant cybersecurity engineers can earn up to £80k annually, making it one of today’s highest-paid jobs in tech.

8. Blockchain Developer

Thanks to the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Etherum, individuals with skills in blockchain development are in high demand. The demand is so high because they operate in a disruptive and exciting industry which requires a specialist skill set. B, It is estimated that today’s global spending on blockchain solutions r exceeds $15 billion.

A blockchain developer’s role is to create and keep new blockchains running. They also need to be knowledgeable about Ripple, R3, Ethereum, and Bitcoin technologies, as well as consensus processes, security protocol stacks, and crypto libraries and functions. 

The national average salary for a blockchain developer currently sits at £70,000 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of £35.90. Entry-level blockchain developers can expect to earn £52,500, whilst the most experienced can earn £90k.

9. Software Architect

A software architect’s job is to streamline the development process by making design decisions and establishing the standards for coding, tools and platforms. As a software architect, you must find out what your client needs and build prototypes by hand. 

A software architect’s skills are in high demand. In fact, if you searched online today, you would find over 18,000 job postings looking for this skill set.

In the UK, the average wage for a software architect sits at £70,000 or an hourly rate of £35.90. Entry-level software architect salary starts at £24k whilst the most experienced could earn up to £88,125.

10. Project Manager

Regardless of the industry, project managers are always in high demand. They are the driving force behind projects which lead every stage from planning, organising, securing budgets, managing and allocating resources to achieve business targets. The project management institute predicts that there will be 2.2 million new project management jobs created each year through 2027, so there will be no shortage of jobs in this field.

In the UK, the average salary for a consultant project manager is £50,000, which is an hourly rate of £25.64. The most experienced project managers can earn £65,000, whilst those entering the role can expect a starting salary upwards of £40,798.

11. Business Analysts

Business analysts are experts in business management and IT systems and are highly sought after by companies looking to improve their current processes and implement new systems. Currently, in the UK, there are over 12,000 business analyst posts advertised, and this is an area where we expect to see continued employment growth. The average salary for a business analyst currently sits at £43.797 or an hourly rate of £22.46 Entry-level business analysts can expect to earn £35,000, and the most experienced consultants up to £65,000.

12. AR/VR Developer

AR/VR development is expected to experience further growth in the coming years as more developers are required to design, test and develop further virtual and augmented reality software and applications. 

By 2025 it is expected that headset shipments will reach 43.5 million, up from 11 million in 2021. This predicted growth makes AR/VR developers one of the highest-paid, in-demand IT jobs over the next few years. 

The average AR/VR developer earns just over £45,000 at an hourly rate of £23.16.

An entry-level AR/VR developer can expect to earn £35,000 per year, with the most experienced in the field achieving up to £75,000.

Conclusion

For IT consultants looking to develop  skills and branch out to some of the highest-paying IT sectors , Hightekers offers  comprehensive solutions to support your journey. 

If you’re an IT professional  and you would like to stay working as an IT freelancer whilst retaining the security of  a contract  the Hightekers management services may be for you. 

We take care of  your day-to-day business administration, such as invoicing, payroll and contract management so you can concentrate on your projects and growing your self employed IT business.

Our IT consultants have access to a personal account manager that helps them determine the correct daily rate and negotiates with clients on your behalf. Hightekers work with 2000+ IT professionals just like you, we know what daily rates and salaries our clients will pay, and this can be a massive benefit for consultants to help  you achieve the very best rates for  your work within the IT industry.

Find out more about joining our network of IT consultants