Whether you are months away from graduating college or a seasoned IT professional looking to make a career change, the prognosis for the IT job market in 2023 should pique your interest. Although IT careers offer plenty of benefits, including generous compensation and abundant opportunities for advancement, not all IT jobs are created equal. In fact, some IT careers represent the fastest-growing careers not only for 2023, but also for many years beyond.

What does it take to qualify to be one of the fastest-growing IT careers for 2023? The short answer is the number of job openings expected over the next 12 months. However, another factor to consider is the number of new positions that IT career experts organizations will add to their payrolls in 2023.

Let’s review the six fastest-growing IT careers for 2023.

1) Data Scientist

Data scientists leverage their immense technical and analytical skills to solve complex data-driven problems. They combine both theoretical knowledge and industry experience to challenge established assumptions made by IT platforms. Some of the technical skills required include a detailed understanding of machine learning algorithms, as well as the mastering of skills that help them devise new data models. The ability to develop codes for the most popular programming languages, such as R and Python, also are skills a data scientist should possess.

Since 2013, the number of data scientist positions increased by nearly 350 percent, which makes the career one of the most lucrative and fastest-growing jobs in the IT industry.

2) DevOps Engineer

In 2018 LinkedIn named the professional role of DevOps engineer as one of the most recruited IT positions. The recently released DevOps Skills Report stated more than 50 percent of respondents have recently hired a DevOps engineer or plan to hire at least one during 2023. DevOps engineers manage the coding process, as well as help create scripts that improve the development process. They also manage an organization’s software development team that handles deployment and networking.

DevOps engineers must have an in-depth knowledge of programming languages, as well as a superior ability to create codes and scripts. They also must be able to use tools such as Git and Jenkins.

3) Cloud Architect

Indeed released a recent report that demonstrated cloud computing jobs increased by 42 percent per million jobs between March 2018 and March 2021. With a CompTIA survey showing nearly 50 percent of  IT professionals believing the industry has a serious skills gap, the demand for professionals with considerable experience with cloud infrastructures and applications should grow stronger in 2023. In addition to developing cloud infrastructures and applications, cloud architects also handle all facets of cloud services from the planning to the deployment stages.

Cloud architects should possess a thorough understanding of the IT fundamentals that define data storage. They should have compiled several years of experience working with Route 53 (DNS), CloudFront (CDN), and Virtual Private Cloud (VPC).

4) Full-Stack Developer

According to a study released by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), IT career experts expect there to be more than 8.5 million open full-stack developer positions by early 2024. This makes the position of full-stack developer one of the fastest, if not the fastest growing IT career over the next several years. Full-stack developers build APIs by implementing MEAN stack technologies. They ensure every application meets the proper standards, as well as is responsive to changes in coding.

Required job skills include understanding computer programming languages like Node.js and MongoDB, as well as possessing full knowledge when it comes to designing and developing an API. Maintaining strong command over rapidly changing database technologies is another requisite job skill for a full-stack developer.

5) Cyber and Network Security Analyst

Organizational dependence on both wired and wireless computer networks places a significant demand on filling cybersecurity analyst positions. From a rural school district to a multinational corporation, every organization needs a cyber and network security analyst to ensure the integrity of proprietary data and sensitive communications. A cyber and network security analyst protects intranet networks, as well as prevents digital intruders from stealing information. Duties include building firewalls that stop cyberattacks and analyzing potential online threats.

The expected job growth for a cyber security and network analyst between 2023 and 2031 is a robust 35 percent.

6) Artificial Intelligence

Developing computer programs to complete tasks typically completed by human cognitive skills is not just the technology of the future, but it is also the technology of the present. In 2021, more than 35 percent of IT job postings requested that candidates possess extensive AI programming skills, IT career experts expect nearly 100 million jobs worldwide to be created for artificial intelligence (AI) positions by the end of 2025. Having experience with algorithms, data science, and machine learning represent three of the most important skills required to work in the AI field.

AI professionals also should develop in-depth knowledge of math concepts such as algebra, calculus, and statistics.

Your IT Career Resource Center

The six fastest-growing IT careers for 2023 share two things in common. First, these careers provide way above average compensation, as well as deliver some of the highest job satisfaction scores of any other tech career. Second, the six fastest-growing IT careers thrived during the pandemic.

Looking for some guidance to help advance your career? As part of the Career Resources, accessible on the IT Executives Council Career Center, you can connect with expert career coaches and resume writers who can answer your questions and help prepare you for your job search for one of these fast growing IT careers. The Career Resource Center also provides:

• ACCESS to relevant career content to assist with career development’
• MATERIALS to help you prepare for job interviews
• JOB searching tips
• ADVICE on how to efficiently change careers

Take advantage of these valuable career resources today! Visit our career center.