After four years of ups and downs in the tech world, we saw some stability in 2024. According to a Tech Salary Report, tech salaries went up last year. The average salary for tech professionals in the United States reached $112,521 in 2024, showing a 1.2 percent year-over-year increase from 2023, according to Dice’s 2025 Tech Salary Report. And it is assumed that last year’s growth will continue in 2025. While reports of layoffs and economic instability still make headlines in the tech news, the growth numbers tell us a story of resilience and how the tech industry is still a lucrative industry for job seekers. Let’s research the Tech Salaries in 2025.
If you’re thinking about a tech career or looking to grow in your current domain, understanding what tech jobs pay and what skills are most needed can help you make smart career moves.
Salary trends vary widely by role, location, experience level, and skill set. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cloud computing, and cybersecurity also influence compensation trends, with specialized skills commanding a premium salary.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the latest salary trends, which jobs pay the most, and what skills can help you stand out in 2025.
How Do Emerging Technologies Impact Salaries?
New technologies are playing a big role in how much tech professionals earn. As companies compete to hire people with great tech skills, jobs in areas like AI, machine learning, and cloud computing are seeing big pay increases.
For example, people with AI skills can earn about 17.7% more than others in similar jobs. Roles like AI developers and prompt engineers are in high demand. According to Dice report, job postings asking for generative AI (GenAI) skills have tripled in the last one year. Even learning basic prompt engineering can lead to better pay and more exciting work.
Cloud computing is another area with strong demand. Cloud Solutions Architects earn an average of $157,978 per year, and some can make up to $200,000. But there’s still a shortage of cloud talent, which means these jobs often pay more. That’s why Cloud Architects are among the highest-paid tech professionals in all 50 U.S. states.
Cybersecurity is also very important. As online threats grow, companies are paying more to protect their systems. Information Security Analysts earn an average of $107,427, and some experienced workers can earn up to $161,878. Robert Half’s 2025 report says that 37% of tech managers have increased starting pay for cybersecurity roles.
Even less common areas like blockchain still offer high salaries. Blockchain Software Engineers earn around $127,025 because their work helps keep financial and business transactions secure.
Other high-growth tech fields include the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual reality (VR). Engineers in these areas, especially in industries like aerospace, medicine, and manufacturing, can earn between $70,000 and $124,000, depending on the job.
These trends show that learning new tech skills can open the door to better jobs and higher salaries. The more flexible and willing you are to upgrade your skills, the more valuable you become in today’s job market.
How Does Location Impact Tech Salaries?
Location plays a pivotal role in determining tech salaries, as the salary structure depends upon the local demand, cost of living, and the presence of tech hubs. In 2024, New York emerged as the highest-paying state for tech talent. Similarly, Florida saw the biggest year-over-year salary growth at 12.1%, the only state to achieve double-digit increases.
Well-known tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Seattle, and Boston continue to offer competitive salaries. But even Silicon Valley saw a 7.3% decrease in average tech salaries in 2025, likely due to market corrections and the shift toward remote work.
Newer, upcoming tech hubs are also quickly rising. Cities like Atlanta (13.9% salary growth), Miami (11.4%), and Philadelphia (10.6%) are growing fast. These cities are building strong tech communities with the help of local businesses and universities.
These newer tech hubs get an advantage due to the lower costs of living compared to Silicon Valley. This makes them an attractive option for both companies and employees. Atlanta, which saw a 12.1% salary increase, is a good example of how it is growing as a tech destination.
Remote work has further blurred geographic boundaries. Now, many talented professionals can earn good salaries regardless of where they live.
Still, some companies prefer employees to work in the office. According to Robert Half, 78% of tech managers are willing to pay up to 20% more for workers who come in four to five days a week. But most tech workers prefer a hybrid schedule, with three days in-office, which is creating a bit of a tug-of-war between workers and employers.
Tech Salaries by Role and Experience
Tech salaries can vary a lot depending on the job title and the amount of experience a person has. Here’s a look at some of the key tech roles in 2025 and what they typically pay, based on recent Glassdoor data.
- Cloud Solutions Architects: $154K/yr (up to $253K/yr for experienced)
- Data Scientists: $128,429 (up to $171,437)
- Blockchain Software Engineers: $127,025
- Information Security Analysts: $107,427 (up to $161,878)
- Software Developers: $120,204 (8.0% increase from 2020-2021)
- Systems Architects: $147,901 (5.1% increase from 2020-2021)
- Help Desk Technicians: $58,549 (4.8% increase in 2023)
Experience level also influences pay. In 2024, professionals with 3–5 years of experience saw the biggest pay raises, with an average increase of nearly 6%. This is a strong recovery compared to the 8% salary drop they experienced the year before.
This suggests employers are investing to keep their existing employees. These employees are those who have proven their worth but haven’t yet reached the salary they should be ideally getting.
On the other hand, entry-level and senior-level workers didn’t see much change in their salaries. This may be because companies are being more selective about hiring beginners, and they may feel that senior professionals already earn competitive pay.
Still, not every role is seeing higher pay. Jobs like Systems Administrators and Help Desk Technicians actually saw their average salaries drop in 2024, according to Dice. These positions are very important but are often seen as less specialized compared to newer, more advanced tech roles. This could be one reason why pay for these jobs is under pressure, while more specialized roles continue to earn higher wages.
The Role of Certifications and Continuous Learning
Getting certified is still one of the best ways to increase your salary in tech. Experts suggest that certifications help validate your skills to employers. A proof of your skills, makes you a stronger candidate when applying for jobs. For example, earning certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect for cloud computing or CISSP for cybersecurity can lead to higher pay and better job offers.
But certifications aren’t the only way to grow. Learning continuously is just as important. Technology changes fast, so professionals in all domains need to upgrade their knowledge. You need to get familiar with new tools and technologies to remain valuable and relevant.
If you’re just starting out in tech, it’s smart to focus on building a strong base of technical and soft skills. Look for training programs, join coding programs, and work on open-source projects to learn and upskill.
For those with more experience, staying valuable in the job market means learning emerging technologies. For example, if you just have basic knowledge of AI and machine learning, you can get a higher salary and a position.
Benefits and Workplace Preferences
Salary is important. But benefits also play a big role in how satisfied employees are and whether they would stay. In 2024, many tech workers saw a drop in traditional benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans, according to Dice.
Support for training also went down by 6 percentage points, and only 41% of tech professionals said they had access to learning or growth programs (only 71% said those opportunities really matter to them). Bonuses also decreased, dropping from 39% in 2023 to 31% in 2024.
As a result, more tech professionals started looking for new jobs in 2025. In fact, 47% said they were job hunting, compared to 29% in 2024.
These statistics show that employees don’t only care about just salary. They want a job where they can get a work-life balance. Other things they want are a chance to learn and grow, and job security.
How Does the Job Market Look in 2025?
The tech job market in 2025 is a mix of challenges and opportunities. Even though there were layoffs in 2023 and 2024, the need for skilled workers is still strong. Tech unemployment dropped to 2.5% in 2024, showing that companies are still hiring in fields like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. As these skills are in high demand, they often pay higher salaries.
But not everyone is happy with their pay. Only 41% of tech workers say they are satisfied with what they earn. About 59% feel they are underpaid compared to others doing similar jobs.
This feeling is causing many workers to look for jobs in other domains. In fact, 93% of tech professionals say they are either actively searching or open to new opportunities.
Some tech workers are now switching to non-tech industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing as these sectors offer more stability and better benefits. These companies also value tech skills, making them a good option for professionals looking for a fresh start.
Strategies for Tech Job Seekers
To find a high-paying tech job, tech professionals should focus on the following strategies:
- Upskill in High-Demand Areas: Invest time in learning AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity skills. Even basic proficiency in prompt engineering or cloud management can boost earning potential. Job placement programs like SynergisticIT offer upskill strategies to help job seekers find the best jobs.
Read: The power of upskilling: Get jobs through upskilling
- Pursue Certifications: Obtain certifications to validate expertise. If you have a certification in your domain, it may help you become attractive to employers.
- Negotiate Salary: Consider benefits like flexibility, remote work, or professional learning and growth opportunities when negotiating job offers.
- Be Flexible: Do not limit yourself to Silicon Valley and explore emerging tech hubs like Atlanta or Miami. At these locations, salaries are good and the cost of living is lower.
- Build a Strong Network: Engage with the coding community and stay active on social media.
Conclusion
In 2025, tech salaries are expected to keep rising as the economy improves and companies continue to look for professionals with specialized skills. Jobs in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity will keep rising because businesses are putting more focus on digitalization and automation.
If you’re looking for a job and want to earn more, knowing what skills are in demand is a big advantage. And if you are willing to upgrade your knowledge and command a higher salary, what better option is there than SynergisticIT?
Since 2010, SynergisticIT has helped 1000’s of job seekers thrive in the tech industry. At SynergisticIT, we make candidates work on technologies and skills our clients demand.
Our unique approach goes beyond training, offering hands-on project experience. We also have a marketing team to promote your skills, so you don’t have to. Check out our candidate outcomes page to see the success stories.
We also participate in industry events like Oracle Java One and the Gartner Data and Analytics Summit, offering excellent opportunities for brand recognition during your job search. Be sure to watch our event videos for more insights.
Oracle CloudWorld Event from 18th to 21st Oct 2023 _ SynergisticIT (wistia.com)
SynergisticIT @ Oracle CloudWorld 2023, Las Vegas (wistia.com)
SynergisticIT at Gartner Data and Analytics Summit 2023 (wistia.com)
SynergisticIT at Oracle Cloud World, Las Vegas 2023 (wistia.com)
https://www.synergisticit.com/presentation/
Furthermore, we have a vast network of clients with whom we can introduce your resume. Since we have been in business since 2010, our brand name association increases your chances of being considered by potential employers. Please visit our Transform Your Future with SynergisticIT | Candidate Outcomes page to learn how we have helped Tech job seekers and how we can jumpstart your tech career!