Is Technology a Good Career Change for You?
Technology is one of the most promising career paths you can choose. Tech skills can bring outstanding salaries, reliable job security, engaging daily challenges, and a strong work-life balance.
The best part, perhaps, is that you don’t need to be a technology expert or a lifelong technophile to work in this industry. If you have a drive to succeed and a desire to learn, you can quickly make a career change and become a top-paid software developer with skills that attract high-quality companies.
Keep reading to learn more about the top four benefits of a technology career discover whether tech is a good career path for you. Plus, download our best jobs for career changers infographic for more details!
1. Competitive Salary Range
Potential salary is perhaps the most compelling reason to consider a technology career. Tech professionals are in high demand (with, as we will show, limited supply) and companies are willing to offer some of the best to knowledgeable experts.
Your earnings will depend on numerous factors, such as experience, skill, location, and the company, but all signs show a positive trend. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for software developers in May of 2022 was $122,260. This means that half of all software developers earn over $127,000 annually. The top 10% earn over $198,000, making this one of the most lucrative professions on the market.
Software development is near the top, but computer occupations in general have a median salary of $100,530, while software quality analysts and testers have a median salary of $99,620.
Here are some median salaries for other tech careers:
- Computer research scientist: $136,620
- Network architect: $126,900
- Database administrator: $112,120
- Information security analyst: $112,000
- Computer systems analyst: $102,240
Whether you become a software developer, a security analyst, or a database administrator, with technology skills you can earn a significant income.
2. Massive Talent Shortage
Not only do tech professionals earn top wages, they can expect a job market that needs their skills right away. Essentially, with the right technology skills you’ll likely have little trouble finding a job.
There is a significant need for technology workers. This need is so large that it’s been deemed a tech talent shortage. The Statista Research Department says that over half of surveyed organizations experienced a skills shortage that has “consistently held them back.” In 2022, 70% of all organizations they studied were experiencing a technology-skills shortage.
This need should drive growth in the overall job pool. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the occupation of software developer will grow by 26% between 2022 and 2032, adding over 450,000 jobs. By the end of this ten-year period, the BLS predicts roughly 2.25 million software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.
3. No Four-Year Degree Required
Other careers, which often pay less and have lower demand, require a four-year degree. This means four years of full-time study, which is nearly impossible for busy professionals, parents, and people trying to build their careers.
Not only does a four-year degree require a massive time commitment, it also costs more money. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition price at a four-year public institution during the 2021-22 school year was $9,700. Four years of attendance, on average, would cost $38,800. Private non-profit schools had an average annual tuition of $38,800; that’s $155,200 for a four-year degree!
A full-time coding boot from Tech Elevator requires 14 weeks of study, while part-time programs take 30 weeks. The tuition for these programs is only $16,500 with financing and scholarship options available.
4. Strong Work-Life Balance
What’s the value of a healthy work-life balance? Work-life balance is the concept that a fulfilling life outside of the job helps improve health, wellbeing, and work performance.
There is a large body of scientific literature on work-life balance. For example, psychology researchers from Tottori University in Japan found that nurses were more engaged when they had a positive work-life balance.
With a tech career, you can often work from home, either entirely or partially. Software developers typically enjoy work schedules that flex around their lifestyle, creating a stronger work-life balance.
Learn more about a career change with Tech Elevator.
You don’t have to attend a high-priced four-year institution to gain future-proof skills.
Completed our no-obligation Aptitude Test to see if a coding or software career is right for you!
Written by Vinny Sanfillipo, Senior Director of Career Development