The top 10 industries with the highest-paid IT and tech jobs

IT jobs are amongst some of the best paid jobs in the world, due to their specialist skill set and high demand. Employers are willing to pay generously in order to secure top talent that will help them advance their company into the digital age.

IT jobs go beyond the technology sector, many industries are now implementing large-scale digital transformations, and therefore IT jobs are needed everywhere. From healthcare to construction, the world is seeing a digital revolution, and employers want to hire IT and tech professionals to ensure they are not left behind.

We’ve put together the top 10 industries with the highest-paid IT and tech jobs.

1.     Finance

The finance sector is one of the leading industries for digital transformations and finance companies have always been on the lookout for emerging technologies to increase efficiency, security, and customer experience. This includes cryptocurrency and blockchain, enhanced automation using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), and innovative security solutions. The finance industry is using technology to improve security, speed, convenience, coverage, and customer experience, and has a number of different IT and tech jobs available.

Highest Earning IT jobs in the finance industry:

• Quantitative Analyst - £85,000

• Lead Developer - £80,000

• Cyber Security Architect - £82,000

2.     Automotive

Technology is a driving force within the automotive industry, from F1 to everyday driving. The industry is using technology to create autonomous driving cars and world-champion racing cars. Both of these use AI, analytics, 3D Printing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and more, to create innovative driving solutions.

Highest Earning IT jobs in the automotive industry:

• Senior Software Engineer - £70,000

• Senior Automation Engineer - £78,000

• Senior Data Engineer - £76,000

3.     Healthcare

Over the past few years, the healthcare industry has seen a huge step toward digital transformation, via the use of AI, Technology Enabled Care Services (TECS), robot-assisted surgery, and 3D printing. The NHS has also released a long-term plan where they aim to become entirely digitised by 2024, and therefore they need to hire IT and tech professionals in order to succeed in this strategy.

Highest Earning IT jobs in the healthcare industry:

• Cyber Security Consultant - £70,000

• Data Architect - £88,000

• Senior Software Engineer - £70,000

4.     Manufacturing

Manufacturing has become so digitally integrated that it is now referred to as the fourth industrial revolution powered by data, connection, and cyber systems. Manufacturing in the modern day is a highly automated and relies on the use of cutting-edge systems and technology including AI, robotics, IoT, nanotechnology, 3D printing and more.

Highest earning IT jobs in the manufacturing industry:

• Solution Architect - £80,000

• Senior Data Scientist - £68,000

• Senior Quality Engineer - £82,000

5.     Energy

As new energy technologies gain popularity, more people are becoming aware of the need to switch to cleaner solutions. Innovative heat pumps, hydrogen technology, smart electrical grids, are just a few of the businesses making changes and building more sustainable ecosystems.

Highest earning IT jobs in the energy industry:

• Senior Structural Engineer - £85,000

• Chief Technology Officer - £105,000

• Energy Trading Developer - £87,000

6.     Education

During the pandemic in 2020, technology in the education sector accelerated to allow students to learn from home via online learning. Since then 64% of schools in the UK are embedding technology in everyday teaching and learning practices, using it to transform teaching approaches and learning outcomes. University and schools are looking to employ it and tech professionals to oversee and develop their IT infrastructures.

Highest earning IT jobs in the education industry:

• Governance Manager – £73,000

• Network Architect - £78,000

• Head of IT - £75,000

7.     Government & Public Sector

This industry focuses on the welfare of the public, and as we begin to move towards a digitised world, it is important for the government to ensure all departments are adopting technologies to make citizens lives easier. Some of the key focuses for this industry include lowering our carbon footprint through digital services and improving cyber resilience for the security of the UK.

Highest earning IT jobs in the government & public sector industry:

• Technical Architect - £83,000

• Lead Data Engineer - £90,000

• Cyber Security Consultant - £73,500

Find more IT and tech jobs in the public sector here

8.     Retail

Technology plays a huge role in allowing retailers to attract and retain loyal customers. This includes using big data to reach target audiences and predict consumer trends. Many retail companies are also adopting AI, Chatbots, omnichannel customer journeys and even the metaverse. Companies will need to hire top technology talent in order to get ahead of the competition.

Highest IT jobs in the retail industry:

• Big Data Scientist- £85,000

• Head of IT – £75,000

• Product Business Analyst - £67,500

Find more IT and tech jobs in e-commerce jobs here

9.     Construction

The construction industry relies on technology to help deliver projects on time and safely. Over the past few years, they have relied on digital processes to increase productivity, and improve collaboration through the use of cloud based software and project planning tools. 

Highest earning IT jobs in the construction industry:

• DevOps Manager - £77,000

• Head of Project Delivery - £103,000

• Senior Risk Manager - £92,000

10. Telecommunication

The telecoms industry relies on using the most up to date technologies in order to communicate. From the internet to television, mobile and wireless connections. Being technically advanced is essential to the telecoms industry, and over the years they have seen development in AI, big data, IoT, cloud computing, and now 5G Technology. Employers need highly skilled tech professionals to bring these technologies to life.

Highest earning IT jobs in the telecommunication industry:

• Senior Automation Engineer £78,000

• Telecommunications Analyst - £70,000

• Senior DevOps Engineer £80,000

Find more IT and tech jobs in the telecommunications industry here

Currently, there are 2.1 million jobs in the digital tech economy, 1.87 million of which are digital jobs outside of the tech industry. This number will only continue to grow as more companies look at hiring top tech talent to help with their digital transformations. There has never been a better time to become an IT or tech professional.