10 of the highest-paying technical jobs

In 2025, technical jobs have remained among the highest-paying roles in the global economy. Booming funding in fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity drives companies to compete aggressively for top talent. 

Professionals with advanced certifications or strategic experience seem increasingly likely to move into higher-paying positions. Across fields such as software development, networking, and cloud infrastructure, technical roles generally rank among the more lucrative career options.

These trends are reinforced by the growing demand for data and AI expertise, coupled with the increasing complexity of enterprise IT systems. Senior technical roles now often combine management, strategy, and deep technical knowledge, pushing compensation into the six-figure range.

Here are 10 of the highest paying technical jobs right now.

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Technical product managers guide product strategy and oversee delivery. The position earns an average of $243,000 per year, according to Research.com, and it's highlighted by Indeed as a high-demand, high-compensation role.

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Engineering managers lead teams, set development priorities, and mentor staff. Salaries average $221,000, according to Research.com, with University of Cincinnati noting that experience in both technical and leadership functions boosts pay.

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Developing advanced algorithms, AI researchers earn around $205,000, says data from Research.com; they're increasingly cited by Indeed as critical for enterprise innovation.

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Enterprise architects design IT systems to align with business strategy. Compensation averages $204,000, says Research.com, with UC emphasizing the role’s strategic importance in large organizations.

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Using math and programming to build predictive models, quantitative researchers make around $202,300 per year. Indeed notes that financial institutions and tech companies increasingly compete for these skills.

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Network engineers maintain robust IT networks, earning around $201,000 annually, says Research.com. UC highlights certifications as key drivers of higher pay in this role.

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Experts in cloud infrastructure, such as AWS or Azure, make $199,100 per year, says Research.com. Indeed stresses the growing need for scalable, secure cloud systems.

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Backend engineers build server-side systems and APIs, earning $180,000 on average. UC notes that deep programming skills are directly tied to pay potential.

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Developing and deploying ML models, these engineers earn around $187,000, the findings show, with Indeed reporting strong demand across sectors such as finance, healthcare, and tech.

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DevOps engineers automate development and operations processes, and according to Research.com, earning $154,000. UC points out the importance of certifications and cross-functional skills for maximizing salary.