Computers and information technology are probably one of the most exciting areas for teenagers when they consider future careers. These jobs are usually very good pay (the average salary in the field is more than twice as high as other occupations). The growth prospects for technical careers are also great, with about 11% over the next 10 years (the average of all jobs is about 4%). Here are some of the top technical jobs high school students plan for the future.
Note: As of March 2025, all salary information is via Inte com and GlassDoor.com.
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Artificial intelligence, data and emerging technology careers
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AI Engineer
AI engineers design, develop and integrate artificial intelligence models and systems. They use machine learning, deep learning and data science technologies to create AI systems of the future.
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or Data Science
Average salary: $206,000
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Machine Learning Engineer
Machine learning engineers teach computers how to use data to make informed decisions. They build computer programs that can recognize patterns and ensure that these programs work effectively in real-world applications.
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Machine Learning, Computer Science, or Applied Mathematics
Average salary: $163,600
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Data Scientist
Data scientists use mathematics, coding and machine learning to analyze a large amount of information. They then turn this data into useful predictions or suggestions to help businesses and organizations make better decisions.
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics or Computer Science
Average salary: $125,900
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Internet of Things (IoT) Engineer
IoT engineers design, build and optimize smart devices, from fitness trackers to industrial sensors. As these devices become more popular, this is an area that offers many new opportunities in the coming years.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science or embedded systems
Average salary: $106,500
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Blockchain developers
Blockchain developers build secure digital systems that store information in ways that are not easily hacked. They are responsible for ensuring the security of private information, but are accessible online.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering or related fields
Average salary: $187,100
Technical careers in cybersecurity, cloud and IT infrastructure
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Cybersecurity Analyst
Now, it is more important than ever to keep people and their online data. This is a career that will provide great opportunities for future growth.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, Information Technology or Computer Science
Average salary: $102,400
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Penetration tester
These security experts, also known as “ethical hackers”, try to break into computer programs to find potential weaknesses before real hackers. They simulated cyber attacks and then helped the company figure out how to make it more secure and secure.
Education: Bachelor of Cybersecurity, Computer Science or Information Security
Average salary: $124,800
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Cloud Engineer
These IT professionals design, build and maintain the organization’s cloud computing infrastructure. They ensure data storage, applications and services run efficiently and securely on the cloud platform.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing, Information Technology or Computer Science
Average salary: $129,500
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DevOps Engineer
These technicians combine skills in software development and IT operations to help design, develop, publish and test programs in a real-time business environment.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, IT or Computer Science
Average salary: $127,000
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Database Administrator
Database engineers ensure that your organization’s data is secure, efficiently stored, and accessed when needed. They design, build and maintain data storage and backup systems to ensure data security.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Database Management, Information Systems or Computer Science
Average salary: $100,600
Careers of Software Development, Engineering and Technology Leadership
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software developer
Designing new software programs means evaluating consumer needs, writing code, debugging errors, and using programming skills to solve problems and enhance the user experience. This is an amazing career for those who are fascinated by technology.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science or IT
Average salary: $105,700
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Full stack developer
These software developers can work on the backend server-side and front-end user interface components of web applications. They handle programming code and design positive user experiences.
Education: Bachelor of degree in Computer Science, Network Development or Software Engineering (optional)
Average salary: $126,100
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Mobile application developers
As the name implies, these software developers specialize in building mobile applications for smartphones, tablets, and other devices. They usually need to be familiar with the Android and iOS operating systems and have the ability to build programs in both.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in mobile application development, computer science or IT (optional)
Average salary: $118,000
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IT Project Manager
This work combines a wide variety of technical skills with techniques involved in overall project management. They oversee the company’s technology plans to bridge the gap between IT staff and stakeholders while carrying out projects on time and within budget.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in IT, business or project management
Average salary: $105,700
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Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
The company’s chief technology officer is responsible for overseeing all its technical decisions and plans. They combine an in-depth understanding of technology with general business management skills to ensure that their technology strategies are aligned with the company’s goals.
Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, IT Management or Business Administration (recommended MBA)
Average salary: $163,500
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