Who’s In Demand in 2024?
A developer can choose numerous career options, and you can make this choice based not just on personal preferences but also trends. Here are some software development-related jobs that will be in high demand in 2024:Back-end developer. These professionals build and maintain technologies that make servers, applications, or databases work. Back-end developers focus on the “behind the scenes” side of applications. Also, they work together with front-end developers to ensure the project meets all customer needs. According to Indeed, the average pay for this job is $157,992 annually in the USA, and some companies offer over $200,000 annually.
Computer vision engineer. CV engineer tries to mimic human analytical processes and use sophisticated computer models. These professionals operate considerable amounts of data and utilize algorithms and special software to find patterns. Also, they work together with data scientists and create models to meet the client's needs. CV engineers must know their ways with AI. Their annual salary in the USA is currently $131,775, according to Indeed.
Requirements engineer. This type of developer does complicated and meaningful work: they elicit and manage requirements for software creation. They transform client aspirations into detailed functional specifications. Without them, the project wouldn't stand a chance. Plus, this job is very well-paid. According to Zippia, in 2023, the average annual salary was $93,453, and the entry-level pay for this job was $66,000 per year.
Software architect. This job is the next step for developers who want not just to write code according to someone else’s requirements but to design systems from scratch. The goal is to develop an efficient, scalable, and stable system. Since the task sounds complicated, the compensation follows: as Glassdoor says, the annual pay varies from $182,000 to $275,000.
DevOps engineer, which stands for development operations engineer. This professional plays a crucial role in creating efficient systems and enhancing the customer experience. They collaborate closely with software developers to identify and solve issues. Their tasks involve finding the root causes of production errors, rolling out updates, creating tools to minimize errors, etc. It's like being the problem-solving superhero for a smoother tech experience. According to Indeed, a DevOps engineer earns, on average, $126,038 annually in the United States.
Full-stack developer. This “universal soldier” can work on a project's front-end and back-end, making them an essential part of the team. They can build the front-end side of an app or a website, write back-end features and functions, work on cross-platform optimization, improve customer experience, etc. Hence, it’s unsurprising that such a huge skill set is pretty compensated. According to Indeed, full-stack developers’ average pay is $124,285 annually in the USA, and even developers with less than one year of experience can earn $102,000.
What Technologies Will Shine?
In software development, new technologies and approaches may appear every day. However, not all of them will become popular and define the industry's future. Nevertheless, here are some promising ones:DevSecOps (Development, Security, and Operations combined). This trend weaves security into every stage of the software development lifecycle. The core idea is to make security an integral part of the software design process right from the beginning instead of post-launch. It shouldn’t slow the process but make the outcomes more robust and efficient.
In 2020, the global DevSecOps market’s value was $2.79 billion, and it’s predicted to increase with a compound annual growth rate of 24.1% from 2021 to 2028.
AI and ML. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have become fundamental technologies for software developers. Programmers keep gaining access to more advanced tools, like GitHub Copilot and OpenAI. It helps to add advanced functions to projects and make applications more sophisticated and valuable for customers. In 2024, learning how to apply these technologies to your work makes sense.
Also, AI and ML have been winning over many industries, and today, tools based on these technologies are popular in many different areas, from finance to healthcare. Predictive diagnostics, risk evaluation and risk management, fraud detection, and personalizing client experience wouldn't be as developed as they are now without AI and ML.
Open-source. In 2023, the world saw the biggest number of first-time open-source contributors. AI is responsible for a significant share of this number: open-source generative AI projects were among the top 10 popular open-source projects. What does it mean for developers? For juniors, it's an excellent opportunity to build a strong portfolio and, hence, a chance to land a better job. And for more experienced professionals, it's a way to impact the world, network, and learn something new.
Quantum computing. This technology is relatively new. However, it has gained vast popularity, especially in IT, cybersecurity, and the financial field. In 2024, knowledge of the basic principles of quantum theory will be a bonus, and being able to program quantum computers will grant you a competitive advantage. Therefore, you may spend some time learning quantum-specific languages, such as Q#, Qiskit, or Quipper.
APIs (Application Programming Interface). The trend we're witnessing now is sometimes called the API Economy. It means businesses can quickly transform their operations thanks to APIs. They help us work with data better, perform integrations easier, etc. There is no need to create new services from the ground up because companies can utilize various APIs to bring new technologies to their businesses and become more agile. The global API management market is expected to reach $13.7 billion in 2027.
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