You’ve spent your entire career working your way up the corporate ladder. You’re ready for a career change, but taking a huge step backwards just isn’t appealing. Who wants to go from Sales Director to Junior Anything? Sure, you’re probably not going to move into the same level position in an entirely new career, but that doesn’t mean you want to start at the bottom.
If you’re going to make a switch, you need to make sure you’re on a career path that will pay well and give you the recognition you want sooner rather than later, even if you need to go backwards a few steps on the way there.
The great news is that there are a lot of tech jobs out there that pay really well. Like, six-figures well. Plus a lot that pay really close to that.
And while entry-level tech jobs are great jobs, it can still be a hit to your ego to take a step that far backwards without a clear plan of where you’re headed.
That’s why we’ve put together this collection of seven jobs that pay at least $70k (and four of them average at least $100k!). Whether you want a super techy job where you’re up to your elbows in code all day, or something a little more managerial or tech-adjacent, there’s something on this list for everyone.
1. Web App Developer
Average Salary: $78,568 (according to salary.com)
Web app developers spend their days writing code, fixing bugs, and solving problems. It’s a very technical job, and requires a specific skill set. Namely, you’ll need to be a rockstar when it comes to programming languages like Ruby, JavaScript, Python, PHP, and similar. You also need to have excellent problem-solving skills and be self-motivated if you want to move into the higher ranks (senior web app developers can make even more).
The necessary tech skills mentioned above combined with a strong portfolio with a handful of great web apps you’ve worked on can be enough to get your hired in many of these kinds of jobs.
Apply right now:
Web/Software Developer, Near-Miss Management LLC (Philadelphia, PA)
2. Content Marketing Manager
Average Salary: $89,612 (according Digital Marketer)
Content marketing is equal parts creativity and science. Content marketing managers are in charge of creating and managing the content strategy with other stakeholders to reach the company’s goals. On a day to day basis, they spend time managing contributors, creating and editing content, copywriting, promoting through social media and other avenues, and similar tasks. Basic technical skills can be a huge benefit in this kind of job, as can a background in other types of marketing, sales, or content creation.
A background in content creation (blogging is a great way to do this!) and social media marketing is a great start to landing a job as a content marketing manager. Combine that with some solid tech and design skills and you’re a solid candidate.
Apply right now:
Content Marketing Manager, Cratejoy (Austin, TX)
3. User Experience Designer
Average Salary: $90,000 (according to Glassdoor)
User experience (UX) designers are responsible for making sure that websites and applications are user-friendly, well-designed, and function as expected. They spend time collecting data from users about how to make their products better, and how to make their users happier. They also want to make sure that users are able to accomplish the tasks a website or application owner wants them to do while using the product. If you want to be a UX designer, you should have good insight into what motivates people, and how you can best use that motivation to accomplish your website or app’s goals.
If you want a job as a UX designer, a strong design portfolio is necessary. You’ll also need to show that you understand user testing and user psychology.
Apply right now:
UX Designer, iFit (Logan, UT or remote)
4. Mobile App Developer
Average Salary: $102,000 (according to Indeed)
Mobile app developers are the ones who code the apps we use every day on our smartphones. They may specialize in the technologies used for building native apps, or they may use web technologies (like HTML5 and JavaScript) for creating mobile apps that are packaged to take advantage of native mobile features. Their work is similar to that of a general web developer, just with a focus on mobile.
A strong portfolio of mobile apps you’ve worked on is a good starting point, on top of the coding skills required for the platform you want to develop for.
Apply right now:
Hybrid Mobile Developer, Caktus Group LLC (Durham, NC)
5. Product Manager
Average Salary: $111,650 (according to Glassdoor)
Product managers are part of the marketing team, and are in charge of making sure that the company’s products are in line with the company’s overall goals. They’re often responsible for deciding what products should be added, through market research and feedback. They also specify the requirements for those products based on what the market wants. For this reason, they need to have a good understanding of the technical aspects of a company’s products, so that they can better work with the product development and design teams.
Product managers need to have a solid background in marketing, as well as enough tech skills to effectively work with other departments involved in product creation. They should also have strong project management and organizational skills, as that’s a large part of the job.
Apply right now:
Product Marketing Manager, Internet of Things (IoT), Autodesk (San Francisco, CA)
6. Mobile App Designer
Average Salary: $112,000 (according to Indeed)
Mobile app developers take care of the behind-the-scenes functionality of creating mobile apps, but mobile app designers are in charge of making the apps beautiful and user-friendly. They need to have a firm grasp of how mobile apps differ from desktop apps and websites in general, and how to optimize user experience on a small screen.
Mobile app designers need to have a stellar portfolio of mobile app designs. The good news is that creating hypothetical designs, unsolicited redesigns for existing apps, and similar projects can really help bolster your portfolio if you only have a couple of “real” apps in there.
Apply right now:
Mobile Product Designer, Prolific (Brooklyn, NY)
7. Design Director
Average Salary: $127,455 (according to Glassdoor)
Design directors are in a managerial position, in charge of the entire design team at a company. They’re often in charge of the creative direction of a brand, and work closely with the marketing team. In some companies, the term is used interchangeably with art director and creative director, but in other companies these may be distinct positions. In any case, design directors need to have excellent management and organizational skills, in addition to a strong design background.
Another two important things a design director needs to have are strong design skills and solid people management skills. You’ll need to show that you have management experience (though that doesn’t necessarily have to be in the design world) plus a solid portfolio that shows your design chops.
Apply right now:
Director of Design, ThinkingPhones (New York, NY)
If you’re ready to take the next step, check out our Ultimate Guide to Turning Your Passion Into Profit to come up with a concrete plan for changing your career!
Cameron Chapman
Freelance writer, author, screenwriter, and filmmaker living and working in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. She’s written for some of the world’s leading web design and technology blogs, including Mashable, Smashing Magazine, and Webdesigner Depot, and has had two web design books published by major trade publishers (The Smashing Idea Book and Color for Web Design).