Not all tech roles pay equally, and the gap between the highest and lowest-paying positions has widened significantly since the AI boom began. Whether you are transitioning from a non-tech career or pivoting within tech, understanding which roles offer the best compensation—and how accessible they are—is critical.
Here is a clear-eyed look at the highest-paying tech roles in 2026, ranked by median total compensation for mid-career professionals in major tech hubs.
The Top-Paying Tech Roles
1. Machine Learning / AI Engineer
- Median TC (US): $200,000–$320,000
- Median TC (Europe): EUR 80,000–140,000
- Demand level: Extreme
AI and ML engineers are the most sought-after professionals in tech right now. The explosion of generative AI, large language models, and enterprise AI adoption has created a talent shortage that shows no signs of easing. Companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, and Meta are engaged in intense compensation wars for this talent.
See what AI engineers earn in San Francisco, New York, and London.
Switching path: Requires strong foundations in Python, linear algebra, statistics, and deep learning frameworks. A realistic transition from a related role (data scientist, backend engineer) takes 6–12 months of focused study plus a portfolio of projects. Coming from a non-technical background: 18–24 months.
2. Engineering Manager
- Median TC (US): $220,000–$350,000
- Median TC (Europe): EUR 90,000–150,000
- Demand level: High
Engineering managers command premium compensation because they combine technical knowledge with people leadership—a rare intersection. At senior levels, the jump from individual contributor to manager can add $30,000–$80,000 in total compensation.
Check engineering manager salaries in Seattle and Singapore.
Switching path: Typically requires 5+ years as a software engineer before transitioning. Formal management training helps but is not required. Many engineers move into tech lead roles first, then into full management.
3. Senior / Staff Software Engineer
- Median TC (US): $180,000–$300,000
- Median TC (Europe): EUR 70,000–120,000
- Demand level: High
The senior IC (individual contributor) track remains one of the most reliable paths to high compensation without managing people. Staff and principal engineer roles at major companies pay as much as or more than many management positions.
Compare senior software engineer salaries across cities.
Switching path: For career changers entering software engineering, reaching senior level typically takes 4–6 years of professional experience after completing a bootcamp or degree. The path is well-documented and the demand is sustained.
4. Data Scientist / ML Scientist
- Median TC (US): $160,000–$260,000
- Median TC (Europe): EUR 65,000–110,000
- Demand level: High
Data science remains a strong career with compensation that rewards quantitative skills. The distinction between data scientists and ML engineers has blurred—those who can both analyze data and deploy production models earn the most.
See data scientist salaries in New York and Toronto.
Switching path: A strong foundation in statistics, SQL, and Python is essential. Career switchers from quantitative fields (finance, economics, physics) have a significant advantage. Bootcamps and master's programs can accelerate the transition to 9–15 months.
5. Cloud / Infrastructure Engineer
- Median TC (US): $155,000–$240,000
- Median TC (Europe): EUR 65,000–105,000
- Demand level: High
Every company running cloud infrastructure needs people to build and maintain it. Cloud engineers specializing in AWS, GCP, or Azure—especially those with Kubernetes and infrastructure-as-code expertise—are consistently in demand.
Check cloud engineer salaries in Seattle and Dublin.
Switching path: IT professionals and sysadmins have the smoothest transition. Cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, GCP Professional) help establish credibility. Realistic timeline: 6–12 months from an adjacent IT role.
6. DevOps / Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
- Median TC (US): $155,000–$240,000
- Median TC (Europe): EUR 65,000–100,000
- Demand level: High
DevOps and SRE roles bridge development and operations, requiring a blend of coding skills and infrastructure knowledge. Companies that have embraced reliability engineering pay premium rates for experienced practitioners.
Compare SRE salaries across cities.
Switching path: Backend developers and system administrators transition most easily. Learning CI/CD pipelines, monitoring tools, and infrastructure automation is key. Timeline: 6–12 months.
7. Product Manager
- Median TC (US): $150,000–$250,000
- Median TC (Europe): EUR 60,000–100,000
- Demand level: Moderate-High
Product managers do not write code but sit at the intersection of engineering, design, and business. Senior PMs at major tech companies earn compensation on par with senior engineers.
See product manager salaries in San Francisco and London.
Switching path: PMs come from diverse backgrounds—consulting, engineering, design, marketing. The key qualifications are analytical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to prioritize ruthlessly. Timeline varies widely: 3–12 months with an MBA or relevant experience.
8. Security Engineer / Cybersecurity Analyst
- Median TC (US): $140,000–$220,000
- Median TC (Europe): EUR 60,000–95,000
- Demand level: High and growing
The cybersecurity talent shortage is well-documented, with millions of unfilled positions globally. This is one of the few tech fields where demand so dramatically outstrips supply that entry is relatively accessible for motivated career changers.
Check security engineer salaries in New York and cybersecurity analyst salaries in London.
Switching path: Certifications (CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEH) carry significant weight. IT help desk or network administration experience provides a solid foundation. Timeline: 6–18 months.
Key Takeaways for Career Switchers
- AI/ML roles pay the most but have the highest barrier to entry. If you have a quantitative background, the investment in upskilling pays off handsomely.
- Management pays well but requires years of IC experience first. It is not a shortcut.
- Cloud, DevOps, and security offer the best balance of high compensation and accessible entry points for career changers.
- Geography matters enormously. The same role can pay 2–3x more in San Francisco than in Berlin. Use our salary insights directory to compare roles across cities.
- Total compensation is what counts. Base salary is only part of the picture at companies offering equity.
The best time to switch into a higher-paying tech role was five years ago. The second-best time is now.
Explore salary data for every role and city on our salary insights directory.