Software developers top fastest-growing high-paying jobs for next decade

By Phong Ngo   May 19, 2026 | 08:44 pm PT Google Get VnExpress first in Google Search info See more of the news you trust. Make VnExpress a preferred source to prioritise our updates in your Google search results
Software developers are projected to add nearly 268,000 jobs in the U.S. over the next decade, leading a new ranking of the country’s fastest-growing high-paying occupations.

The occupation recorded a median annual wage of $135,980 in 2025 and are expected to add 267,700 jobs between 2024 and 2034, according to a recent ranking published by Business Insider.

The ranking combined May 2025 wage data with employment projections released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It focused on occupations with median annual pay above $75,000 that are projected to grow over the next decade.

Software engineering jobs are expected to remain in strong demand despite rapid advances in artificial intelligence. Companies are increasing hiring for experienced developers as AI tools allow more people to write code, creating greater demand for engineers who can design, manage and improve increasingly complex software systems, according to CNN.

A person works in front of computers. Photo from Pexels

A person works in front of computers. Photo from Pexels

Instead of replacing developers entirely, AI is reshaping their work. Engineers are spending less time on routine coding and more time overseeing AI-powered coding tools, designing software structures and refining ideas.

"The job will look different. That doesn’t mean it’s going away," Amanda Richardson, CEO of coding assessment platform CoderPad, told CNN. "The best engineers are spending all day, every day with AI and using it to make their designs better."

Several other technology-related jobs also ranked among the fastest-growing high-paying occupations.

Computer and information systems managers ranked third overall, with median annual pay of $175,140 and projected growth of 101,600 jobs by 2034. Data scientists ranked eighth, with projected job growth of 82,500 and median annual pay of $120,230.

Information security analysts ranked 10th, with median annual pay of $129,180, and are projected to add 52,100 jobs over the decade. Computer systems analysts, who help companies improve digital infrastructure and operations, ranked 17th and are projected to add 45,500 jobs.

Below are the top 25 high-paying jobs projected to see strong growth over the next decade.

Rank

Job

Median annual pay (2025)

Projected job growth (2024–2034)

1

Software developers

$135,980

267,700

2

Financial managers

$166,570

128,800

3

Computer and information systems managers

$175,140

101,600

4

Medical and health services managers

$123,860

142,900

5

General and operations managers

$105,770

164,000

6

Nurse practitioners

$132,300

128,400

7

Registered nurses

$97,550

166,100

8

Data scientists

$120,230

82,500

9

Management analysts

$101,860

94,500

10

Information security analysts

$129,180

52,100

11

Accountants and auditors

$83,680

72,800

12

Project management specialists

$102,320

58,700

13

Lawyers

$159,670

35,900

14

Construction managers

$114,990

48,100

15

Postsecondary health specialties teachers

$107,310

50,100

16

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

$78,760

63,000

17

Computer systems analysts

$105,850

45,500

18

Physician assistants

$135,880

33,200

19

Marketing managers

$166,790

26,700

20

Human resources specialists

$75,940

58,400

21

Sales managers

$148,270

29,000

22

Industrial engineers

$102,440

38,500

23

First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

$79,920

49,000

24

Logisticians

$82,320

40,300

25

Personal financial advisors

$105,070

31,200

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