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1/21/2016
07:06 AM
Dawn Kawamoto
Dawn Kawamoto
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10 Best Tech Jobs For 2016

Tech companies' perks and benefits have long been the envy of a number of industries, but what about the actual work itself? It turns out that tech jobs accounted for nearly half of Glassdoor's "25 Best Jobs in America" report. You may be surprised by the tech jobs that made the list.
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No. 10: Software Architect Job Score: 4.2 Number of Job Openings: 653 Median Base Salary: $130,000 Career Opportunities Rating: 3.4 Software architect jobs not only ranked at the low end of the top 10 best tech jobs, but also took a similar slot on the overall Glassdoor list, coming in at No. 25. Meanwhile, the number of available software architect jobs only numbered 653, the smallest number among all the tech companies in this top 10 tech list. 'While we see less job openings than similar positions, such as software engineer, we're reporting there are more than 600 current openings for software architects, demonstrating this is clearly a position in demand. However, it's important to recognize that this job is more of a senior and technical role compared to software engineer, which is why there are more current openings for software engineers,' Dobroski explained. (Image: tec_estromberg via Flickr)

No. 10: Software Architect

Job Score: 4.2

Number of Job Openings: 653

Median Base Salary: $130,000

Career Opportunities Rating: 3.4

Software architect jobs not only ranked at the low end of the top 10 best tech jobs, but also took a similar slot on the overall Glassdoor list, coming in at No. 25. Meanwhile, the number of available software architect jobs only numbered 653, the smallest number among all the tech companies in this top 10 tech list.

"While we see less job openings than similar positions, such as software engineer, we're reporting there are more than 600 current openings for software architects, demonstrating this is clearly a position in demand. However, it's important to recognize that this job is more of a senior and technical role compared to software engineer, which is why there are more current openings for software engineers," Dobroski explained.

(Image: tec_estromberg via Flickr)

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PedroGonzales
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PedroGonzales,
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1/21/2016 | 12:25:29 PM
thinking before moving an IT career
I think things are very interesting trends.  People who are planning to transition to an IT career should keep them in mind.  I think it is important for people to transition to new career people should take into account many things, technical learning curve, time, money, personality, etc.  There are many bootcamp out there which cost from $5,000 to $12,000.  Would people from other field have made the successful shift between other industries to IT successfuly, I would be very interested to find out.
tcritchley07
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tcritchley07,
 User Rank: Moderator
1/22/2016 | 12:13:05 PM
IT as a Career
I may be advertising but after 40 years in IT, I am putting together what I've learned, including my mistakes and the lessons therefrom.  It's a great career if you get to know the ropes and they are NOT all technical. Believe me, pure techies did not contribute much to projects outiside their (very good) techie skills, rather like a great car mechanic who can't drive. Drivers are key in IT and that means soft skills like project management, body language, writing skils and many, many others.

Terry Critchley
mejiac
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mejiac,
 User Rank: Ninja
1/26/2016 | 2:29:59 PM
Re: IT as a Career
@tcritchley07,

Thank you for your post... you covered much of what I also wanted to share. To add to your comment, I consider myself to still be in diapers when it comes to project management (been in the industry for a little over 10 years know, but been focusing on Project Management for the past 6 years).

There's so much still to learn, and the fact that new tools, methods and system are constantly on the horizon, keeping up in it self is a challenge (and a fun one in fact)
meanes91
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meanes91,
 User Rank: Apprentice
1/26/2016 | 10:51:56 PM
Re: IT as a Career
I made the transition about 15 years ago.  You're right to point out it did indeed come at a financial cost.  Approximately $11k.  It has paid off, though.  I do think an individual's age is a factor, here's why.  If you're in an industry where you're not involved in IT and in "mid-life" these changes are going to be difficult to get a Return on Investment (obviously my opinion).  My reasoning is due to experience requirements.  I made the jump in my early 30's, but someone in their mid-to late 40's plus, I'd think about it carefully-of course if there are no more options, then you have to do what you have to do-right?  Good luck out there.
mejiac
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mejiac,
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1/26/2016 | 2:32:51 PM
Re: thinking before moving an IT career
@Pedro Gonzalez,

To add to your comment, in many areas, IT needs folks that can talk the business lingos (those areas that are have no idea how technology works from a backend point of view) and be able to transalate to business requirements (hence the role of a Business Analyst)

I've seen in many different companies folks that are able to execute this role really well since they have a thirft for technology but don't necessarilly have a technical background, but are able to communicate effectively to what Developers and designers need to deliver a project.

This combined with a PM to pull all the strings and keep things glued and going is a recepy for success
impactnow
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impactnow,
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1/27/2016 | 1:23:08 PM
Re: thinking before moving an IT career
It's an interesting perspective do you think that it's not worth the best because of intrinsic ageism because the timeframe to recoup the investment is not there ? I have seen many people change career paths in their 40s due to personal choice or necessity , it can be done but it may not be easy . Obviously , someone's previous work experience and expertise plays a large part in the transition .
mejiac
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mejiac,
 User Rank: Ninja
1/27/2016 | 2:02:53 PM
Re: thinking before moving an IT career
@impactnow,

 

"someone's previous work experience and expertise plays a large part in the transition ."

This says it all.... based on past experience (and whatever passion drives a person), choosing a different career path can be very fulfilling.

 
batye
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batye,
 User Rank: Ninja
2/3/2016 | 11:20:40 AM
Re: thinking before moving an IT career
@impactnow, I trust you are right as past expr. and knowledge with skills do play very important part in transition...
impactnow
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impactnow,
 User Rank: Author
1/22/2016 | 7:26:47 PM
Salary variability

 

Very interesting list but think the salaries are not indicative of all places in the country. In some of the hotbed markets the salaries for these positions are considerably higher due to the competition.

Broadway0474
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Broadway0474,
 User Rank: Ninja
1/25/2016 | 3:32:57 PM
Re: Salary variability
They must correct for that effect in their data as well as the higher costs of living in most tech Mecca type cities. You would think at least, right?
IAmDonaldC
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IAmDonaldC,
 User Rank: Apprentice
1/27/2016 | 10:52:31 AM
Comprehensive List but Missing One Key Role
Great post and list for the best ranked tech jobs in 2016. I would say I have to agree with this list. Being in the field of BI and Data Analytics, I have seen how the intersection of all the roles are key and at what levels they are in demand. In lieu of this comprehensive list, there is still one more critical role that needs to be valued. It may not be a "Top 10 Best Tech Job" type of role, but it is a job that I have noticed is vital since the beginnings of IT emergence and certainly across my 15 year career span in IT. It is that of the strong, analytical thinking Business Analyst (BA). A good BA can make or break the success of IT initiatives. In addition, a BA coupled with a good Project Management background can really make a difference in the success of IT delivery. This role is often overlooked but is necessary to the lifecycle of IT activities. You often find there are IT professionals who are very skilled and technical, but don't have the competency to communicate with customers effectivitely. Finding someone, that can uniquely fill this gap and be the glue to front-facing (i.e. customers, a non-technical audience, business peers) and back-end folks....is golden role and job.....that wil carry you in IT for 2016 and beyond. Job roles and fancy titles to describe them come and change all the time in IT, but the need for folks with both a technical / customer facing personality set and skill do not.
Matuco
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Matuco,
 User Rank: Apprentice
3/12/2016 | 11:18:46 PM
Re: Comprehensive List but Missing One Key Role
Nice insight Thanks for sharing Please allow me to ask: do you see the move from business background (4 years in private Equity / vc) into IT possible? How can someone bring the already acquired business knowledge into an entry level IT position? Or do you see it Really as an overhaul from scratch, with the biz bg only coming into play in more managerial positions? Thanks
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