5 Top Tech Careers in D.C.
If you’re pursuing a tech job in Washington, D.C., you’re in the right place at the ideal time. Some of the highest-paying positions in the D.C. metro area are in the tech sector and, with 75 tech employees per 1,000 jobs and a median salary range between $100,000 and $107,000, there are plenty of lucrative opportunities to go around. The District is having a true industry boom with no end in sight.
We’ve talked about why Washington, D.C. is such a great place to grow a cybersecurity career, but that’s not the only professional path in the capital. We’ve curated a list of some of the top technology career paths in the area, so you can find the one that fits your interests. Plus, we’ve highlighted some of the major tech companies in Washington, D.C., so you’ll know more about who’s hiring.
Information Technology (IT) Specialist
There’s no shortage of information tech jobs in D.C. these days. IT specialists help companies with software, hardware, and networking projects, and the career paths and niches are endless within the field. You can specialize in support or pursue roles in security, project management, or advanced networking.
Similar titles and paths: computer support specialist, network analyst, network administrator, IT analyst
IT specialist salary in D.C.: $71K
Training to get you there:
- CompTIA™ Certification Training: A+, Network+, Security+
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Cyber Security Analyst
Cybersecurity analysts enjoy some of the most desirable Washington, D.C. tech jobs around. These professionals design, implement, test, measure, and monitor a number of security systems and actions across multiple platforms. These roles can vary widely, depending on an organization’s size, processes, and systems. While some cybersecurity analysts design the systems, others focus more on penetration testing — also known as “ethical hacking” — in defensive measures against actual hackers.
Silmilar titles and paths: cybersecurity engineer, IT security manager, IT security analyst, penetration tester, information security (infosec) specialist, information security (infosec) analyst
Cybersecurity analyst salary in D.C.: $95K
- CCNA: Security
- CompTIA Advanced Security Pracitioner (CASP)
Data Scientist
Data science professionals build and utilize automated analysis methods to examine enormous amounts of information, then leverage those findings to help organizations guide processes and make key decisions. Though data scientists are valuable in all sorts of settings, D.C.’s government and technology institutions create a particularly strong need for these experts.
Similar titles and paths: data analyst, business intelligence analyst, data mining engineer, business analyst
Data scientist salary in D.C.: $118K
Training to get you there:
Software Engineer
Software engineers often have their pick of exciting tech jobs in the D.C. area. These roles are some of the best technology careers around. They involve designing, constructing, and testing software, applications, and systems. The software engineer career path can be extremely different across various settings, because engineers code in multiple programming languages. Plus, some software engineers decide to take a high-level strategy role, while others spend more time working on the code itself.
Similar titles and paths: computer programmer, software developer, software architect, software developer
Software engineer salary in D.C.: $101K
Training to get you there:
Cloud Engineer/Architect
If you enjoy IT work, such as setting up networks, you might enjoy being a cloud engineer. A relatively new profession, cloud engineering is among the top tech jobs in D.C., since it pays well and employs cutting-edge technology. Cloud engineers design, build, and control cloud computing systems. Their roles vary widely, as these professionals can work in security, architecture, networking, systems, coding, or all of the above.
Similar titles and paths: cloud architect, cloud security engineer, cloud systems engineer, cloud network engineer, cloud platform developer
What you’ll earn in the District: $130K
Training to get you there:
Web Developer
While web developers are often confused with software engineers, their roles are very different. Web developers develop and maintain the code that websites use to operate. Some work primarily within content management systems, while others use scripting languages to create custom builds. Web developers often have their pick of tech jobs near D.C., as there are many different companies in the area looking to hire. Web developer courses are a great way to get started in in this tech career.
Similiar titles and paths: front-end developer, web engineer, full-stack web developer, back-end web developer
Web developer salary in D.C.: $92K
Training to get you there:
User Experience or User Interface Professional (UX/UI)
The user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) fields are relatively new, and they’re somewhat similar, with some key differences. Generally, UX professionals are concerned with a product’s overall feel, while UI professionals are concerned more with how a product is laid out. One can be a UX/UI designer or a developer, meaning the former might work primarily with design software, while the latter does more coding. A background in design, development, human factors, or even occupational or physical therapy is ideal for getting started in this technology career.
Similar titles and paths: UI designer, UI developer, UX designer, UX developer, UI/UX developer, UI/UX designer, UX/UI architect
What you’ll earn in the District: $75K
Training to get you there:
Companies to Keep on Your Radar
Looking for top tech careers involves knowing what types of companies are hiring. Here are some of the best tech companies in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area to help you get started.
Leidos
This organization is one of the 10 largest employers in the D.C. metro area. Leidos is a technology and engineering firm providing consulting expertise in the defense, civil, intelligence, and healthcare spaces. They offer flexible schedules and telecommuting, and hire cybersecurity engineers, network engineers, penetration testers, software engineers, and data scientists on a regular basis.
SAP
This enterprise application software company was voted by employees as one of the best tech companies to work for in 2018. The company is known for a collaborative, empathetic culture. SAP often hires for roles such as UX developer, IT consultant, software developer, and cloud platform developer.
Cvent
This tech company creates event-management software, and its headquarters is located in nearby McLean, VA. With employer-matched 401(k), competitive salaries, and a mentorship program, budding leaders looking for cloud engineering and UI developer roles should consider Cvent.
Booz | Allen | Hamilton
This organization is an established management and IT consulting firm that also specializes in government defense and intelligence, headquartered in McLean, VA. Booz Allen offers stability and perks, including programs to support women in STEM. Data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, consultants, software engineers, and cloud engineers can all find career growth at one of the top 10 employers in the D.C. metro area.
Verizon Communications
This well-known communications organization has a major presence in D.C. as one of the city’s top 10 employers. With 401(k) employer matching, bonuses, tuition assistance, and charity matching, employees are well taken care of at Verizon. The company frequently hires UX/UI professionals, software engineers, cybersecurity engineers, and IT specialists on its robust team.
With high earning potential and some of the top tech employers, D.C. is the place to be if you’re looking for technology careers. If you’re wondering where to plant some career roots, the U.S. capital is definitely a great option to consider!
Looking for a tech career in the Washington D.C. area?
We partnered with George Mason University to train for one of today’s most in-demand sectors — cybersecurity. To learn more about in-demand careers in the D.C. metro area, and the top skills and certifications needed to start a career, check out our George Mason Cybersecurity page.
Learn More: George Mason Cybersecurity Training and Certifications
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