August 27, 2018 • Van Williams
5 of the Top-Paying Richmond IT Roles in 2018
With its sprawling metropolis and lower-cost of living, Richmond is a no-brainer for tech professionals. The demand for quality IT professionals in the Richmond area is consistently growing. Virginia is ranked third in the country for its dense tech population and as employment for IT professionals increases 13% by 2026, more opportunities are being presented than ever. The following 5 roles rank as some of the current top-paying positions in the Richmond tech scene.
1. Systems Engineer
Systems engineering is multi-faceted, considering both the business and technical needs of all customers. Beginning by defining customer needs and functionality, systems engineers’ ultimate goal is to create a holistic design that meets user expectations. Systems engineers typically work in a team, delivering critical infrastructure while ensuring the highest levels of performance and security.
The salary range for systems engineers in the Richmond area is $74,770 – $114,753. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a computer science, software engineering, or related field as well as on-the-job experience. Basic skills requirements include strong knowledge of administration and performance tuning of application stacks, as well as the ability to install, configure, and troubleshoot UNIX or Linux based environments.
2. Business Intelligence Analyst
Business intelligence analysts gather data, perform analysis, and present decision makers with a picture of where the company stands within the industry. They utilize a variety of different data sources, such as mining a company’s data through software, looking at competitor data, and examining industry trends.
Business intelligence analysts must have a bachelor’s degree in business, information science, or a similar field. Higher-level roles may additionally require a master’s degree in business administration. Along with technical skills, B.I. analysts must have the analytical skills to determine data trends, as well as the communication skills to share their discoveries with the company. In Richmond, B.I. analysts make upwards of $102,083 on average.
3. Information Security Analyst
With so much data floating around, it’s critical to have measures in place to keep that data safe. Information security analysts work to keep cyber attacks at bay, protecting data and information from hackers and other criminals targeting organizations. Their roles include planning and implementing security measures to defend computer systems, networks, and data against attacks. Information security analysts are expected to stay up-to-date on the latest industry intelligence, such as hackers’ methodologies, in order to anticipate security breaches.
The average information security analyst in Richmond makes from $65,511 – $104,256 depending on their experience level. Most employers look for a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, programming, engineering, or a related field of study. Candidates with specialized knowledge of cybersecurity are preferred.
4. Java Developer
As one of the most widely used programming languages of the past decade, it’s evident that Java is here to stay. It remains one of the most consistently requested skills in candidates to date, with a reported 9 million+ developers. Throughout the development lifecycle of applications, Java developers are tasked with designing, implementing, and maintain Java application phases, along with taking part in software and architectural development. Other parts of their role include conducting software analysis, programming, testing, and debugging. Experienced Java developers in the Richmond region can expect to make around $120,347 per year.
5. Full Stack Software Developer
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that companies are interested in hiring full stack software developers, as they are able to unite front-end and back-end development with the ability to work on both the user side and server side of operations. That being said, the role requires in-depth knowledge of every level of the web creation process, meaning quite a few responsibilities and skill requirements. It also necessitates at least a bachelor’s degree and, often, proven work experience.
Full stack developer’s main duties include developing functional and fast web applications, maintaining websites, and troubleshooting and fixing bugs. Some additional marketable skills within the industry are understanding SEO standards, quality assurance skills, and knowledge of the Adobe Suite. Depending on experience in the field, full stack software developers can make an annual salary of $108,215.
Securing a Top-Paying Richmond IT Role in 2018
As employment for computer and IT professionals grows at an unprecedented rate across the nation, it’s time to hone in on the top positions and skills necessary to succeed in the industry. This knowledge, along with the 2018 Richmond IT Salary Guide, is the first step in the path to career vitality and longevity in the booming Virginia tech market.
If you’re searching for an opportunity to enhance your career, you’ve come to the right place.
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