Best Tech Jobs for Career Switchers and How to Get Them
Updated August 9, 2024
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Most people don't stay in the same job their entire career. The average worker held 12.4 jobs from ages 18-54, according to a 2021 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
People change jobs for many reasons, including the desire for change and personal fulfillment. A 2021 Pew Research Center poll found that most employees left a job due to low pay, lack of advancement opportunities, or feeling disrespected.
Switching to the tech field can be a smart move because the industry offers higher-than-average salaries and in-demand opportunities. You can find tech jobs with a degree in a non-tech field or no degree at all. On this page, learn about the best tech jobs for career switchers.
8 Tech Jobs for Career Changers
You have options if you want to start a tech career but come from a different professional background. Some tech jobs prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree, either in computer science or a non-tech field. Other entry-level tech jobs do not require a degree or coding experience.
1. Tech Project Manager
- Average Annual Salary: $97,310
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree
Tech project managers coordinate technology-related project plans. They oversee technical projects for their entire lifecycle, including analyzing, planning, and developing projects. These professionals ensure projects run smoothly, meet deadlines, and stay within budget. They also determine and define clear deliverables, roles, and responsibilities of technical staff.
Prior experience in a non-technical project or product management role can prepare you for this career path. In addition to a bachelor's degree, these roles may require 5-7 years of related experience. You may need technical training in a specific field or the ability to learn on the job.
Technical Skills
- Project management
- Technical analysis
- Software development lifecycle
Transferable Skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Resource management
- Interpersonal
2. Computer Support Specialist
- Median Annual Salary: $57,910
- Required Education: Varies from a high school diploma or associate degree
Computer support specialists assist people with computer problems. They troubleshoot, help customers identify and fix problems, and provide training.
Computer support specialists also perform network maintenance and test network systems. These professionals work with network and computer systems administrators, other IT professionals, and non-technical workers.
Computer support specialists may qualify for some jobs without a degree. You can earn an IT certification, such as CompTIA A+, enroll in courses, or complete a bootcamp to gain knowledge of network and computer information systems. Prior jobs that can help prepare you for this role include customer service positions.
Technical Skills
- Installing and upgrading hardware and software
- Virus removal and debugging systems
- Training computer users
Transferable Skills
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Customer service
- Listening
3. Web Developer/Designer
- Median Annual Salary: $78,300
- Required Education: Varies from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree
Web developers create and maintain a website's technical aspects. Web designers create the look and layout for a website. Typical job tasks include writing code, designing graphics, and creating navigation menus and website interfaces. Web developers and designers typically work with clients, other developers and designers, and project managers.
Previous jobs that can help prepare you for web development and design include graphic design and project management. These professionals typically need a bachelor's degree, but some employers hire candidates with prior work experience or a professional portfolio that demonstrates their skills.
If you're interested in web development, a full-stack bootcamp can help you learn front and back-end skills in a short amount of time. Those more interested in a website's interface and design may enroll in a UX/UI bootcamp. Other options include completing courses, a certificate, or self-study to learn web development fundamentals.
Technical Skills
- JavaScript
- HTML5
- CSS
- ASP.NET
- Angular.js
Transferable Skills
- Creativity
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Organization
4. Tech Sales Representative
- Average Annual Salary: $64,050
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree
Tech sales representatives work with their companies and clients to make sales. Typical tasks include making marketing plans, educating clients about products, and creating marketing materials. Tech sales reps need to thoroughly understand the products they sell and the needs of their clients, which requires some technical knowledge.
Most tech sales reps earn a bachelor's degree, and employers may require one in a technical field to ensure an understanding of the technical products being sold. Prior experience in other sales jobs, including retail sales work or sales management, can help prepare you to work as a tech sales representative.
Technical Skills
- Technical sales
- Technical services
- Strategic sales
- Product development
- Business development
Transferable Skills
- Customer relationship management
- Customer service
- Account management
5. Computer Programmer
- Median Annual Salary: $93,000
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree
Computer programmers write and test code and scripts that tell applications and software to perform specific actions. They work with software engineers and software developers. Typical work tasks include writing code, looking for problems in code, and adjusting code or scripts.
Programmers usually need a bachelor's degree in computer science, math, or a related field. Some employers hire programmers with a professional certification instead of a degree.
Automation of some programming work means that employment for computer programmers may decline by 10% from 2021 to 2031, according to the BLS. However, the agency still projects 9,600 job openings for programmers each year during this period.
Technical Skills
- Programming languages
- Databases
- Data structures and algorithms
- Software development
Transferable Skills
- Communication
- Organizational
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Analysis
6. UX/UI Designer
- Average Annual Salary: $76,430
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree
User experience and user interface designers focus on the way that people use and interact with both physical and digital products and services, including apps and websites. UX/UI designers help create easy-to-use products and meet users' needs.
Prior roles that can prepare you to become a UX or UI designer include graphic design, product development, and psychology jobs. Although many UX/UI designers earn a bachelor's degree, a UX/UI bootcamp or a certificate, like the Google UX design professional certificate, can help prepare you to pursue entry-level roles.
Technical Skills
- Adobe suite
- CAD
- HTML5 and CSS
- Graphic design
- Wireframing
- User research
- Web design
- Data analysis
Transferable Skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Team leadership
- Project management
- Research
- Creativity
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
7. SEO Specialist
- Average Annual Salary: $52,660
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree
Search engine optimization (SEO) specialists or digital marketing specialists plan digital marketing campaigns and create digital marketing materials. They combine knowledge of marketing strategies with social media expertise to help their organization meet goals and build brand awareness. SEO specialists help drive more traffic to their company's website.
Common tasks include looking at Google Analytics, writing and creating social media content, and conducting market research. Digital marketing specialists often work with web developers and other marketing professionals.
Prior marketing, advertising, and public relations experience translates well to this role.
Technical Skills
- Search engine optimization
- Digital marketing
- Social media marketing
- Email marketing
- Analytics
Transferable Skills
- Strategic planning
- Customer relationship management
- Budget management
8. Data Analyst
- Average Annual Salary: $65,110
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree
Data analysts use data to answer questions, gain insights, and solve problems for their organization. They collect, analyze, measure, and present information. They use tools like Microsoft Excel, Google Analytics, and R or Python.
Data analysts typically need a bachelor's degree, but data science bootcamps can help prepare students for entry-level roles. Some employers prefer data analysts with a master's degree. A background in math and economics can serve as a good launchpad for data analyst roles.
Technical Skills
- Data analysis
- Database management
- SQL
- Math
- Computer programming languages
- Business knowledge
Transferable Skills
- Communication
- Management
- Attention to detail
- Analytical
How to Build a Career in Tech
You don't necessarily need an IT or computer science degree to land a tech job. Many employers value the knowledge and skills of people with non-related degrees, industry certifications, and bootcamp experience. Below, we offer tips for career switchers who want to go into tech.
Tips for Getting a Tech Job Without Experience
To narrow down the job search, think about what you have done before, what you've enjoyed doing, and what you want to do now. Do you want to learn to code? The tech field offers jobs that require technical coding skills and those that do not.
For example, jobs like SEO specialist and computer support specialist typically do not require coding knowledge. Other jobs, like computer programmers and web developers, require significant coding expertise.
You might be surprised how many skills from your previous jobs transfer to a tech career. Tech jobs require more than just coding and other computer-based skills.
Communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and management skills, or soft skills, can apply to almost any career in the tech industry. People develop these skills through jobs, at coding bootcamps, and while earning college degrees.
Tech employers often value people with different perspectives and degrees in other disciplines, like the humanities, liberal arts, or business, because of their soft skills. On your resume, highlight how your unique background can benefit a tech job.
The tech industry places a high value on industry certifications, which let people demonstrate their grasp of specific skills and knowledge. If you lack a relevant professional background or degree, earning an entry-level tech certification can go a long way in convincing a potential employer that you can get the job done.
If you want to become a tech project manager, consider the CompTIA A+ certification. Computer support specialists can benefit from earning the Cisco Certified Technician credential. The Microsoft 365 Fundamentals is widely applicable to various entry-level IT roles.
Although employers often value the skills of people with experience and degrees in other fields, it helps to know some basic tech knowledge. You can upskill by enrolling in a coding bootcamp, completing online tech skills training, or even earning a computer science certificate or degree to get up to speed.
A coding portfolio shows employers that you have the skills to perform some coding tasks, like web development or computer programming. You can create a coding portfolio showing off projects you complete through bootcamps, independent study, or free online classes.
One of the best things you can do is let your network know you are actively seeking tech opportunities. Even if you work in a non-tech field, your connections might know about jobs that match your interests.
Also, spend some time making new connections. Look for networking opportunities by joining tech-related professional organizations, student groups, and conferences.
Do some research to find out resume best practices in the tech industry. Highlight how your prior experience, education, and skills can translate to your desired tech job. Update your resume as you complete new tech certifications, training, bootcamps, and degrees.
Tech Resources for Career Changers
Questions About the Best Tech Jobs for Career Switchers
How do I switch careers in tech?
It depends on what type of role you want to pursue. Some tech jobs, like web developers and computer programmers, require you to learn coding skills before switching careers. For a less technical role, like a project manager and SEO specialist, you can leverage existing skills in another field.
What is the easiest tech career to get into?
It depends on your previous professional experience, skills, and education. Some entry-level tech careers that may be easier to get into include computer support specialists, web developers, and SEO specialists.
What is the highest paying entry-level tech job?
Pay varies by employer, education, and position. Tech project managers and computer programmers are high-paying entry-level tech jobs. Tech project managers make $97,310 on average, according to Payscale, while the BLS reports that computer programmers earn a median annual salary of $93,000.
How do I transition into a tech job with no experience?
You can transition into a tech job by earning a tech certification or completing a certificate or bootcamp. Other options include completing a degree and finding an internship. It also helps to highlight your transferable skills from other fields. Get job leads and recommendations by reaching out to your network.
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