Technology professionals with in-demand skills will find plenty of opportunities in today’s job market. Many employers are competing to hire for the most in-demand IT jobs, but they’re facing challenges in landing top talent. According to the 2025 Salary Guide From Robert Half, 56% of tech managers are loosening experience requirements to speed up the hiring process.What else is new for 2025? The Salary Guide shows 55% of tech leaders are hiring for different skills due to advancements in AI and automation.The Salary Guide also highlights the ongoing struggle to recruit skilled tech professionals. To tackle this, 45% of technology leaders are increasing starting salaries to attract top candidates. And 44% are willing to boost pay for those with AI and machine learning skills. While roles related to AI are among the best-paying jobs in technology, they aren’t the only ones commanding high salaries.What are some of the most in-demand IT jobs employers are willing to offer competitive compensation for in the year ahead? Here’s a look at 12 key roles listed alphabetically, including emerging AI positions, along with a brief overview of typical responsibilities and job requirements for each.
AI ethicist is a newcomer to the ranks of most in-demand tech jobs. But these professionals are becoming increasingly important as organizations face the ethical challenges of AI systems. AI ethicists help guide the responsible development and use of AI, ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability. They combine knowledge of philosophy, law and technology to tackle complex ethical questions and make sure the AI systems they’re evaluating align with societal values and legal requirements. They are vital in managing risks like bias, privacy issues and unintended consequences. Employers often look for candidates with a multidisciplinary background, usually including advanced degrees in ethics, philosophy or computer science, along with a deep understanding of AI and its impact on society.See our open AI-related jobs.
As AI transforms industries, the role of AI product manager has become crucial in bridging tech innovation and market success. These professionals lead the development of AI-powered tools, ensuring they meet business goals and user needs. AI product managers combine technical knowledge with business strategy, turning complex AI capabilities into real value. They need a solid grasp of machine learning, data science and AI ethics, plus traditional product management skills like market analysis and user experience design. Most come from a computer science background with experience in product development. Demand for skilled AI product managers is rising as AI continues to integrate into more products.See our open AI-related jobs.
Some of the most interesting IT careers combine business and technology. Take business analysts in the tech sector, who boost efficiency and cut IT costs by identifying business needs, evaluating technical specs and keeping communication smooth between business units and IT teams. They often design or tweak tech solutions to tackle specific challenges and may also oversee development and integration. Most employers seek candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, management information systems or business administration, and relevant experience. Strong analytical skills, familiarity with data visualization tools, and a good grasp of AI and machine learning are becoming more important in this role.See our open business analyst jobs.
This is one of those technology jobs that puts you on the front lines of digital defense. Cybersecurity engineers are responsible for designing and implementing strong security measures to guard against cyber threats. They handle vulnerability assessments, manage security tools and lead incident response efforts when breaches occur. With cyber-attacks getting more sophisticated, this is one of the most in-demand IT jobs today. Employers usually look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, along with certifications like CISSP or CompTIA Security+. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to stay on top of evolving threats are key in this role.See our open cybersecurity engineer jobs.
Data engineers are the architects behind an organization’s data infrastructure, designing and maintaining the systems that collect, process and store huge amounts of information. They turn raw data into actionable insights, creating workflows that align with business goals. As companies rely more on data-driven decisions, the demand for skilled data engineers keeps growing. These professionals usually have considerable expertise in statistics software engineering, with expertise in programming languages like Python or Java and experience with NoSQL technologies. In today’s AI-driven world, knowledge of machine learning algorithms and big data tools is becoming more valuable. Employers often look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience managing large-scale data systems.See our open data engineer jobs.
Database administrators are the guardians of an organization’s data, responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining database systems that fit a company’s unique needs. They make sure databases run efficiently, securely and at peak performance. With data volumes growing rapidly, their role has become more critical than ever. These professionals typically have a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field and several years of experience in database environments. Proficiency in relational database languages like MySQL Database Administrator or Oracle DBA is essential, and knowledge of emerging database technologies and AI-driven data management tools is becoming more valuable. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to provide technical support are critical to success in this role.See our open database administrator jobs.
This is one of the most multi-faceted of all IT jobs. ERP integration managers lead the implementation of an organization’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and projects designed to improve these systems. They are in high demand, as companies need their expertise to help them not only troubleshoot day-to-day issues but also lead cross-functional initiatives and oversee projects related to enterprise resource planning. These professionals are often called on to manage a team of integration developers, organize and lead cross-functional initiatives, and coordinate with technology vendors. Employers recruiting talent for the ERP integration manager job typically seek candidates with three or more years of ERP implementation experience, exemplary project management skills and a thorough understanding of ERP solutions. Professionals with SQL skills and software development experience are also often preferred.See our open ERP integration manager jobs.
Machine learning engineers are driving AI innovation, developing advanced algorithms that enable computers to learn from data and make decisions. With the rise of AI, demand for skilled machine learning engineers has surged across industries, making it one of the most in-demand IT jobs today. These professionals combine knowledge of data science, software engineering and AI to build models that predict outcomes, recognize patterns and automate complex tasks. A strong foundation in math, statistics and programming is essential, with skills in languages like Python, R or Java being particularly valuable. Employers typically seek candidates with advanced degrees in computer science or AI degrees and hands-on experience creating and deploying machine learning models.See our open AI-related jobs.
As the backbone of an organization’s digital infrastructure, network engineers design, implement and maintain complex network systems. Given our increasingly connected world, their role now includes both wired and wireless technologies. They troubleshoot network issues, implement security measures and collaborate with other IT teams to optimize performance. With the rise of remote work and cloud computing, these professionals ensure seamless connectivity and data transfer. Employers typically seek candidates with bachelor’s degrees in computer science or engineering and several years of network support experience. Certifications like Cisco CCNA, CCNP or CCIE are highly valued, and knowledge of emerging technologies like 5G and software-defined networking (SDN) is becoming more important.See our open network engineer jobs.
IT project managers are the ones steering technology projects, making sure everything aligns with business goals. They’re involved at every stage, from planning to implementation, and responsible for keeping resources, timelines and budgets on track. In today’s fast-paced tech world, they have to juggle complex projects and manage the expectations of different teams and departments. Most employers look for candidates with a degree in IT or a business-related field, plus background in applications development and a few years of experience managing large projects. Strong communication skills along with adaptability and knowledge of both traditional and agile project management methods are essential. This is one of the best-paying jobs in technology for individuals with outstanding skills and the right experience.See our open IT project manager jobs.
This is one of those technology jobs that could be filed under “unsung heroes.” QA analysts ensure software applications meet high quality and functionality standards before they reach users. They design and run test cases, find bugs and give crucial feedback to development teams. In today’s fast-paced development cycles, their role is key to maintaining software integrity and keeping users happy. Most have a degree in computer science or a related field and experience in manual and automated testing. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to communicate well with both technical and non-technical teams are a must.See our open QA analyst jobs.
A permanent fixture on the list of the most in-demand IT jobs, software engineers design and create engineering specifications for applications and software. These professionals are expected to possess solid knowledge of information systems and to produce well-organized, optimized and documented source code quickly. Employers usually require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering or a related discipline for software engineering jobs. Many hiring managers will seek professionals with experience working with programming languages like C#, C++ or Java, and with Microsoft .NET and SQL Server. Strong communication skills are also highly valued for this position. The specialized skills needed for this role make it one of the best-paying jobs in technology.See our open software engineer jobs.
The 12 roles above are examples of the most in-demand IT jobs employers are eager to staff now and in the coming year. Check out the 2025 Salary Guide from Robert Half for the latest salary projections for these in-demand roles — and many more. Or use our Salary Calculator to adjust salary ranges to a specific city.
