Tech salary figures floating around online are often years out of date or mixed together from different sources without saying so — one common list, for instance, quotes a database manager salary of roughly $65,000, which is well below what the Bureau of Labor Statistics actually reports for that role. If you’re comparing development jobs, it’s worth working from current BLS data rather than aggregator estimates, since the gap between the two can change how you prioritize which path to pursue.
Computer and Information Systems Managers
This is the role behind titles like software engineering manager or IT manager — overseeing technical teams, setting technology strategy, and coordinating with business leadership. The median annual wage was $171,200 as of May 2024 (BLS), with the lowest 10% earning under $104,450 and the top 10% earning more than $239,200. Employment is projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034. A bachelor’s degree plus several years of hands-on technical experience is the typical path in — this is rarely an entry-level role, since it usually follows time spent as an individual contributor developer or engineer first.
Software Developers
The BLS doesn’t track “mobile app developer” as a separate category — it falls under the broader software developer classification, which covers both web and mobile work. The median annual wage for software developers was $133,080 in May 2024, with the lowest 10% earning under $79,850 and the top 10% earning more than $211,450. Employment is projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034, faster than average. Most roles expect a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, though a growing share of employers will consider strong portfolios and demonstrated project experience in place of a degree, particularly for mobile and web-focused positions.
Information Security Analysts
This role covers what’s often called cybersecurity, data security, or information systems security work — identifying vulnerabilities, responding to incidents, and implementing protections against breaches. The median annual wage was $124,910 in May 2024, with the lowest 10% earning under $69,660 and the top 10% earning more than $186,420. This is one of the faster-growing tech roles: BLS projects 29% employment growth from 2024 to 2034, well above the average for all occupations, driven by the ongoing volume of security incidents organizations have to defend against. Entry-level roles (junior SOC analyst, security specialist) typically start in the $68,000–$80,000 range, with certifications like Security+ or CISSP giving a real boost to both hiring odds and pay.
Database Administrators and Architects
Database administrators manage and secure an organization’s databases day to day; database architects design the underlying structure and systems. These are related but distinct roles with meaningfully different pay: the median annual wage for database administrators was $104,620 in May 2024, while database architects earned a median of $135,980. Employment growth here is slower than the other roles on this list — about 4% from 2024 to 2034, roughly in line with the average occupation — reflecting how much routine database administration work has been automated or absorbed into cloud platform management in recent years.
What This Means for Choosing a Path
- If you want the fastest-growing field, information security stands out at 29% projected growth — nearly double the growth rate of the other roles here.
- If you want the highest ceiling without going into management, database architecture pays close to management-level wages while staying in a more technical, individual-contributor track.
- If you’re earlier in your career, software development offers the most entry points and the largest number of open positions nationally, making it a reasonable starting point even if you plan to specialize later.
- Management roles pay the most on this list but generally require years of hands-on technical experience first — it’s rarely a direct entry point.
Bottom Line
Check current BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook figures directly (bls.gov/ooh) before making a decision based on salary data you find elsewhere, since a lot of circulating figures are outdated or blended from inconsistent sources. If growth rate matters more to you than current pay, information security analyst roles currently offer the strongest combination of both.
FAQ
What is the highest-paying development job?
Among the roles covered here, computer and information systems managers have the highest median pay at $171,200 (BLS, May 2024), though this typically requires years of prior technical experience rather than being an entry point.
Which tech job is growing the fastest?
Information security analyst roles are projected to grow 29% from 2024 to 2034, well above other development roles and nearly ten times the average growth rate for all occupations.
How much do software developers make?
The median annual wage was $133,080 as of May 2024, according to the BLS, with the top 10% earning more than $211,450. This category includes web and mobile developers, since BLS doesn’t track mobile development as a separate occupation.
Is a database administrator the same as a database architect?
No. Administrators manage and secure existing databases day to day (median $104,620), while architects design the underlying database systems and structure (median $135,980) — a higher-paid, more specialized role.
