As the world becomes more dependent on computer and cloud infrastructure, there are more opportunities than ever for high-paying careers in IT and related fields. These high-demand jobs are often some of the highest paying around.
In most cases, a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree is required for these competitive positions, but many entry-level jobs can be obtained with a high school diploma and IT certifications in the specific systems, platforms, and skills these high-demand jobs require. Amidst this evolution in the IT job market, more remote opportunities have also emerged allowing aspiring IT professionals to thrive from the comfort of their own homes.
How does remote work factor into the landscape of IT jobs?
Remote work opportunities have significantly impacted the landscape of top IT jobs by expanding the talent pool beyond geographical constraints. With remote work, companies can hire top IT professionals from around the globe, fostering diversity, innovation, and cost-effectiveness in their operations.
- Security Analyst
- Cloud Architect
- Web Developers
- Data Scientist
- Data Analytics
- Solutions Architect
- Systems Administration
- Network Technician
- Help Desk
- Project Management Professional
Top 10 High-Paying & In Demand IT Jobs with Certifications
Security Analyst
Cybersecurity is in the news nearly every day. Hacking, ransomware and denial of service attacks are exploding in frequency, and affecting every scope of industry and business. This is why security analysts are one of the most in-demand IT jobs.
One of the most highly recognized certifications for cybersecurity is the CompTIA Security+. Another, more advanced industry-recognized certification in this field is the CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional. Having one or both of these on your resume is a great way to fast-track your IT security career.
Cloud Architect
The last decade has seen the development of the cloud computing revolution. The advantages of moving to the cloud environment mean this field is here to stay. A cloud architect oversees a company’s cloud infrastructure, including the software development, design, and implementation of applications. They may help get it up and running, and keep it operating at peak efficiency at all times. Alternatively, they may assist in implementing an existing solution like Google Cloud Platform or Amazon Web Services.
Cloud architects are usually individuals with years of experience and leadership skills, along with extensive knowledge of change management and software application architecture. Cloud architects are essential to running a modern company, so they are always in demand.
Many companies might require a master’s degree to hold this position in engineering, math or computer science. There are several helpful certifications that can boost your chances and set you apart as a candidate including:
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate
Web Developers
Coding and programming are at the core of web development. This career path is often divided into three categories:
Front-end Development
Front-end development concerns the user-facing portion of the website or web application. This includes the visual elements like the layout, colors, typography, images, and overall aesthetic design. But it also encompasses interactive components such as buttons, menus, scrolling, and navigation. Front-end developers use languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build these user interfaces and ensure a smooth, intuitive experience.
Back-end Development
Back-end development focuses on the server-side logic and infrastructure that powers websites and applications. This includes managing databases, handling user authentication, processing and validating form data, integrating with third-party services like payment gateways or APIs, and ensuring overall security and performance. Back-end developers work with languages like Python, Ruby, Java, or Node.js, along with frameworks and tools specific to those languages.
Full-stack Development
A full stack developer is a versatile professional with front-end and back-end development expertise. They can build complete web applications from start to finish, handling everything from the user interface to the server-side logic and databases. This breadth of knowledge allows them to understand how all the pieces fit together and make informed architectural decisions. Full-stack developers are in high demand as they can work on various aspects of a project and collaborate effectively with specialized front-end and back-end teams, making them essential for successful application development.
Web developers will have many more opportunities if they are certified in skills like:
- HTML
- JavaScript
- PHP
- Cascading style sheets (CSS)
Whether front-end, back-end, or full-stack, these developers play a crucial role in creating the digital experiences we interact with daily. Their skills are highly valued in today’s technology-driven world, as businesses increasingly rely on robust and user-friendly web applications to reach and engage with their customers.
Data Scientist
A key phrase that we hear more often these days is “Big Data.” Gathering and compiling large data sets of data is not only key to marketing, manufacturing and supply chains, it is revolutionizing health care and pharmaceuticals as well.
Data scientists or data engineers design ways to collect clean and useful data. They may implement machine learning solutions to mine data. Useful certifications include:
- Programming languages like Python, SQL and more
- Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate
Certifications like these show you have the knowledge and skill set to succeed as a data scientist.
Data Analyst
While the data scientists come up with the tools for collecting data, data analysts take the raw data and turn it into a usable form that can drive good decision-making. They need to be organized, detail-oriented and able to see through the numbers to spot trends and patterns.
Certified professionals often hold the following certifications:
Solutions Architect
Solutions architects are versatile IT professionals who leverage their creativity and strategic thinking to design and implement effective technological solutions for businesses. They play a crucial role in bridging the gap between an organization’s goals and the suitable technology infrastructure required to achieve those goals.
Creative, out-of-the-box thinking is a hallmark of successful solutions architects. They must possess the ability to analyze complex business requirements, identify potential challenges, and develop innovative solutions that not only meet the company’s needs but also drive efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. A great certification to hold is:
Systems Administrator
If you want to find an in-demand IT job, then Systems Administrator might be a great choice. These IT professionals are essential to the round-the-clock function of all computer systems of a company or educational institution, and are responsible for planning and implementing security measures to protect these systems. They are absolutely vital, and always in high demand. A related career path is network administrator, which focuses mostly on the upkeep of computer network architecture. Both are high-paying and in high demand. Good certifications to hold are:
- Proficiency in operating systems such as Linux, Windows, and Mac
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- Microsoft Azure Administrator
- Microsoft Azure Security Engineer
- CompTIA Network+
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- AWS SysOps Administrator
Network Technician
Network technicians are modern-day superheroes. They make sure that we always have a stable internet connection available. If you love computers, electronics, and technical work, then this is an excellent career to choose.
The world today is completely dependent on technology and the internet, making digital transformation a crucial aspect of businesses and daily life. So much of our daily life takes place online, so having a stable network is a necessity. Because of this, network technicians and network security engineers have become increasingly in-demand, requiring individuals to possess the necessary skills and expertise in data analytics to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation. This is a career that offers good growth potential and rewards for the right person. Primary certifications employers look for are:
Help Desk
Working a help desk requires a customer service-oriented skills. You need to be patient and an excellent listener. Good, adaptable communication skills are a must as you need to be able to describe troubleshooting solutions to people in various skill levels. You might also author FAQs for websites to get common questions answered clearly so you can allocate your resources to more complicated issues. To be successful and sought after, enroll in courses to earn certifications in technical support and user interface design.
Project Management Professional
The word “project” in the context of IT Professionals means long or short-term tasks to accomplish a particular goal. They typically involves having the management skills to lead many people working together as a team. The manager has to delegate tasks and provide accountability to make sure the project is progressing adequately. One of the top tools program managers use today is Microsoft’s Power BI. Power BI can help project managers see the big picture, and track projects more effectively while getting rid of manual reporting, allowing them more time to spend with their teams. The Power BI Content Pack for Project Online allows you to explore your project data with out-of-box metrics such as overdue projects or a burndown of current project work.
Embark On Your Information Technology Career Today
The great news is that there are often entry-level positions in the United States that you can qualify for just as soon as you earn your credentials showing you are qualified to work on specific platforms. While you work, there are many flexible CIAT associates and bachelor’s degree programs that can propel you to even higher levels of your IT career.
Questions about getting certified?
Whether you’re just entering the workforce or trying to take your career to the next level, CIAT offers the certifications needed to prove your expertise to current and future employers. Navigating the IT certification landscape by yourself can be challenging. If you’re wondering which certification pathway is right for you, we’re here to help.
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