Ranking the Top 10 High-Paying Tech Jobs in Austin
Last Updated: December 3rd 2024
Too Long; Didn't Read:
Austin's tech scene boasts high-paying jobs, significantly outpacing the national average with tech roles making up 16.3% of employment. Senior Developers earn an average of $156,913, while Lead Engineers' packages range from $130,350 to $200,750. With major players like Apple and IBM investing heavily, opportunities in AI, software development, and data science are expanding. Austin offers a thriving environment for tech professionals amid intense market competition, with salaries like $119,983 on average, reflecting a dynamic blend of tech giants and startups.
Austin's tech scene is absolutely crushing it right now, climbing to #5 in North America according to CBRE's 2024 Tech Talent Report.
The numbers are mind-blowing - tech jobs make up 16.3% of all jobs here, way above the 9% national average, and venture firms have poured $2.2 billion into Austin companies just through Q3 2024.
The average tech salary is now hitting $119,983, with software engineers making up over 62% of the tech workforce. The massive growth in AI specialists - there are now 7,396 tech workers focused on AI in Austin.
The city's also pulling in serious talent, with over 22,390 new tech jobs created between 2019 and 2023.
Major companies like Apple, IBM, and Tesla are setting up shop here, making the job market even more exciting. For anyone looking to break into tech, Austin's got this perfect mix of established tech giants and innovative startups, plus the median investment in startups is $4.5 million - the second highest in 10 years.
The opportunities here are seriously next level, especially if you're into AI, software development, or data science.
Table of Contents
- Methodology: How We Ranked Austin's Tech Jobs
- Senior Developer: Leading the Charge
- Lead Engineer: Steering Innovation
- Mobile Developer: The Rising Star
- Data Scientist: The Analytical Mind
- Oracle Analytics Developer at Lower Colorado River Authority
- Systems Administrator at Century Consulting Services
- People Analytics Senior Consultant at Deloitte
- IT Vendor Manager at recruitAbility
- Oracle and SAP: Key Players in Austin's Job Market
- Challenges and Opportunities in Austin's Tech Job Market
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Methodology: How We Ranked Austin's Tech Jobs
(Up)How we ranked the best-paying tech jobs in Austin. Our research combined multiple data sources to give you the real deal on tech careers. We started by looking at CBRE's latest tech talent research, which uses 13 key metrics to measure each market's potential.
For the nitty-gritty on job rankings, we followed a method similar to Forbes' tech job analysis, looking at both industry growth and job concentration.
What makes this extra interesting is how we factored in AI impact - according to Pew Research's latest findings, certain tech roles are more exposed to AI than others, which definitely affects future job security.
We analyzed three main things:
- Median salaries: We collected data from verified sources like Glassdoor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Job postings: We assessed the number of postings in Austin over the last 12 months.
- Technical skills: We focused on the specific skills that are most in demand right now.
This isn't just about who pays the most - it's about finding roles that will still be hot in the next few years.
We examined positions across different tech sectors, from software development to data science, and even explored emerging fields like machine learning and cybersecurity.
To keep it real, we also talked to actual tech workers in Austin, such as Barbara Gonzalez and William Hernandez, to verify our findings. The end result? A ranking that honestly shows which tech jobs in Austin offer the best mix of good pay and solid future prospects.
Senior Developer: Leading the Charge
(Up)Senior Developer roles in Austin are crushing it right now, offering an incredible mix of technical challenges and leadership opportunities. The latest compensation data shows Senior Developers in Austin are earning an average of $156,913 annually, with additional cash bonuses pushing some salaries over $200K. That's seriously impressive, especially considering Austin's reasonable living costs compared to other tech cities.
These roles aren't just about coding—they're about leading the charge in innovation and team development.
Current job listings show that companies are looking for developers with 7+ years of experience who can handle everything from C#.NET and JavaScript to complex database management.
The cool thing is that many positions now offer flexible work arrangements, and you get to work on projects that actually matter. Senior Developers are expected to mentor junior team members, conduct code reviews, and make key decisions about technology direction.
Tech giants in Austin are particularly interested in developers who can bridge the gap between technical excellence and business strategy.
The responsibilities include everything from optimizing application performance to leading architecture decisions. What makes this role super interesting is the chance to work with cutting-edge tech while building solutions that impact millions of users.
Plus, with Austin's tech scene growing faster than ever, Senior Developers are in an amazing position to shape the future of technology in Texas.
Lead Engineer: Steering Innovation
(Up)The role of Lead Engineer in Austin has evolved into a game-changing position that's reshaping the tech landscape in 2025. According to recent job market data, compensation packages now range from $130,350 to $200,750 annually, making it one of the most attractive career paths in tech.
Lead Engineers are responsible for driving technical innovation, managing project lifecycles, and building scalable solutions. The position requires expertise in multiple programming languages, including C#, C++, ReactNative, and JavaScript, plus a solid foundation in DevOps and full-stack development.
What makes this role particularly exciting is the variety of opportunities - emerging startups with fresh funding are competing alongside established tech giants for top talent.
Beyond technical skills, Lead Engineers need to master cross-organizational abilities like effective communication and customer-centric thinking. The role has expanded to include compliance framework implementation, covering SOC-2, ISO 27001, and FedRAMP standards, reflecting the growing emphasis on security in tech development.
With flexible work arrangements becoming standard and comprehensive benefits packages including paid parental leave and generous vacation policies, it's clear why this position continues to attract ambitious tech professionals to Austin.
The combination of competitive compensation, technical challenge, and leadership opportunity makes the Lead Engineer role a strategic career choice in Austin's booming tech scene.
Mobile Developer: The Rising Star
(Up)Austin's mobile development scene is totally crushing it right now! As a thriving tech powerhouse with over 9,789 high-tech employers, the city's growth in creative developers has hit 31.6%.
Mobile developers here are making bank, with ZipRecruiter showing salaries ranging from $82,800 to $148,681, depending on experience and skills. The mobile development landscape is transforming with AI-powered personalization, 5G integration, and super apps becoming the new normal.
Austin's mobile dev community is super active - we've got amazing events like the App Growth Summit 2025 coming up, where developers can network and learn about the latest industry trends.
Companies are desperately looking for developers who can handle everything from native apps to cross-platform development, and they're willing to pay top dollar for talent.
With the increasing focus on AR/VR, IoT, and AI integration, mobile developers here have endless opportunities to level up their careers and work on seriously innovative projects.
Whether you're into iOS, Android, or cross-platform development, Austin's tech scene has got your back with plenty of resources and a supportive community to help you grow.
Data Scientist: The Analytical Mind
(Up)Data Scientists are crushing it in Austin's tech scene right now. With a mind-blowing 30% job growth expected and major players like Dell and Oracle actively hiring, the opportunities are seriously stacking up.
Starting salaries hit around $75K, but experienced pros can pull in up to $165K annually. These analytical wizards aren't just crunching numbers - they're transforming raw data into game-changing insights that companies can't get enough of.
Data scientists work across different industries, from tech giants to healthcare organizations and financial firms.
They're the ones behind the scenes making machine learning models predict trends and turning complex data into clear stories that businesses can actually use.
The job is pretty intense - you need to be solid in Python, SQL, and statistics, plus have the skills to explain complicated stuff in simple terms.
Austin's tech sector is contributing over $21 billion in economic activity, and companies are desperately seeking data talent.
If you're into problem-solving and have a knack for spotting patterns, this field is seriously worth checking out. The best part? Austin's innovative culture and growing startup scene mean you can work on cutting-edge projects while enjoying the city's amazing lifestyle.
With tech companies continuing to relocate here and local businesses expanding their data operations, the future's looking pretty sweet for anyone diving into data science.
Oracle Analytics Developer at Lower Colorado River Authority
(Up)As a fresh grad looking at tech opportunities in Austin, the Oracle Analytics Developer role at Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) caught my attention with its impressive salary range of $108,000 to $151,000.
The position combines coding skills with real-world impact, helping manage Texas's essential water and power services. What makes this role stand out is the chance to work with cutting-edge tech while making a difference in people's lives.
According to recent job listings, the role requires expertise in Oracle Analytics Cloud (OAC), Oracle Business Intelligence (OBIEE), and data integration tools.
The real game-changer? You get to build and manage complex data systems that directly impact millions of Texans.
The position demands someone with serious technical chops - we're talking about 9+ years of software development experience, though a computer science degree can partially substitute for some experience.
LCRA isn't just another tech company; it's been serving Texans since 1934, and they offer some sweet perks, including an 8% 401(k) match and a student loan contribution program.
The role involves creating data visualizations, managing ETL processes, and collaborating with various teams to turn complex data into actionable insights. For someone starting their career in tech, this position at LCRA represents an opportunity to learn from industry veterans while working on projects that actually matter to the community.
Systems Administrator at Century Consulting Services
(Up)Working as a Systems Administrator at Century Consulting Services in Austin offers an exciting opportunity in tech.
The role involves managing IT operations across multiple offices, including user access, security protocols, and system authentication. With a starting salary of $90,000 annually, it's definitely worth checking out.
The position supports both internal and remote systems, which means you'll get hands-on experience with diverse tech setups. According to current job market data, Systems Administrator positions in Texas range from $65K to $115K, with Austin being one of the top cities for these roles.
The responsibilities include installing and configuring hardware and software, running system maintenance, and handling backup procedures. One cool aspect of the job is that you'll be working with cutting-edge cloud technologies and automation tools while solving complex technical challenges.
The role requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure, but that's what makes it interesting. As more companies in Austin transition to hybrid work environments, the demand for skilled Systems Administrators continues to grow, making this career path super promising for anyone interested in tech infrastructure and security.
People Analytics Senior Consultant at Deloitte
(Up)As a People Analytics Senior Consultant at Deloitte in Austin, you get to be at the cutting edge where data meets people strategy.
The role offers an exciting salary range of $119,025 to $198,375 yearly, making it one of the most attractive positions in Austin's tech scene. The job requires a bachelor's degree and 4+ years of hands-on experience, but the payoff is worth it.
Working with clients across multiple areas like DEI, attrition, and talent acquisition, you'll help organizations make smarter decisions about their workforce.
The position involves:
- Conducting analytics maturity assessments: You'll evaluate the current state of analytics in organizations.
- Building data visualizations and reports: Translate complex data into understandable insights.
- Creating strategic roadmaps for clients: Plan long-term strategies based on data findings.
- Managing end-to-end data processes: Oversee data from collection to analysis to ensure reliability.
What makes this role especially cool is that you get to work with cutting-edge tools like Visier, Power BI, and Tableau.
The Austin market is particularly hot for this position right now, with multiple openings across different sectors.
The best part? You're not just crunching numbers - you're actually helping companies build better workplaces through data-driven insights. With flexible work arrangements and serious growth potential, it's definitely a career path worth considering for anyone interested in combining tech skills with people strategy.
IT Vendor Manager at recruitAbility
(Up)The IT Vendor Manager role at recruitAbility in Austin is seriously taking off right now. According to current job listings, these positions are offering between $120K to $152K annually, which is pretty amazing for someone with the right skills.
The role involves managing vendor relationships, writing RFPs, and making sure everything runs smoothly with tech partnerships. The job has evolved from just basic admin work to a more strategic position where you're actually shaping how companies work with their tech partners.
To get into this field, you'll need solid experience with Microsoft Windows Server, SQL, and project management skills.
These positions typically ask for about 7 years of experience, but what's interesting is that some companies in Austin are now looking at candidates with 5 years of experience if they have the right skill set.
The work involves a mix of technical know-how and people skills - you're basically the bridge between your company and all its tech vendors. You'll be tracking contracts, solving problems when they come up, and making sure everyone's hitting their performance targets.
The best part about being an IT Vendor Manager in Austin? The tech scene here is absolutely exploding.
With major companies setting up shop and startups popping up everywhere, there's always room to grow. Plus, most positions offer flexible work arrangements and solid benefits packages.
If you're into both tech and working with people, this role could be perfect - it's like being the conductor of a tech orchestra, making sure all the pieces work together perfectly.
Oracle and SAP: Key Players in Austin's Job Market
(Up)Oracle and SAP are making serious moves in Austin's tech scene right now. According to recent market analysis, Oracle is actually leading the charge in senior tech positions, while SAP stands as the only European company breaking into the top hiring companies in 2024.
The job market is super active - ZipRecruiter shows SAP-related positions in Austin averaging $64.41 per hour, with roles ranging from technical consultants to business analysts.
What's really interesting is how these companies are adapting to new trends. Oracle's been strengthening its presence with that massive campus investment, while SAP's focusing on cutting-edge stuff like cloud ERP and AI integration.
The salary game is pretty sweet too - we're talking anywhere from $120,000 to $150,000 for specialized roles, with some positions hitting even higher marks. Both companies keep dropping new opportunities in areas like cloud infrastructure, system architecture, and data analytics.
For entry-level tech professionals like Charles Johnson, it's exciting to see how these companies are shaping Austin's future in tech. They're not just creating jobs; they're building entire career ecosystems where fresh grads can grow alongside industry veterans.
The best part? These companies are totally revolutionizing how traditional enterprise tech works, making it more accessible and innovative for the next generation of tech professionals.
Challenges and Opportunities in Austin's Tech Job Market
(Up)Austin's tech scene is going through some serious changes that anyone looking for a job needs to know about. Recent layoffs have hit major companies like Indeed, Tesla, and Google, with thousands of positions cut since early 2024.
The unemployment rate sits at 3.6%, and while that might sound low, competition for jobs is intense. The average salary here is around $53,729, but that's getting stretched thin with housing costs eating up nearly 38% of income.
But it's not all bad news! Austin's startup scene is thriving, with local companies raising $1.1 billion in late 2023.
Big players like Dell, Apple, and Samsung are still going strong, creating opportunities across different tech sectors. The coolest part? Austin's tech landscape isn't just about software anymore - we're seeing growth in fintech, biotech, and even life sciences.
Remote work is still a thing, with about 29% of tech workers doing their thing from home, which honestly makes dealing with Austin traffic way less stressful.
Looking ahead, local economists are staying positive about Austin's future.
Companies are focusing hard on artificial intelligence and cloud computing, which means more jobs in these areas. The University of Texas is pumping resources into AI programs, potentially setting up another tech boom.
The key to making it in this market? Being flexible with your skills and staying ready to jump on new opportunities as they pop up. The tech world moves fast, and Austin's moving right along with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Up)What are the top high-paying tech jobs in Austin?
The top high-paying tech jobs in Austin include Senior Developer, Lead Engineer, Mobile Developer, Data Scientist, and IT Vendor Manager. These roles offer competitive salaries, with some positions ranging from $82,800 to over $200,000 annually.
How is Austin's tech job market performing compared to the national average?
Austin's tech job market is thriving with tech jobs making up 16.3% of all jobs, compared to the 9% national average. The city also has a high average tech salary of $119,983.
What skills are in demand for tech jobs in Austin?
In-demand skills for tech jobs in Austin include expertise in programming languages like C#, JavaScript, and Python, experience with DevOps and full-stack development, as well as capabilities in AI, data analysis, and cloud infrastructure.
What impact is artificial intelligence having on Austin's tech roles?
Artificial intelligence is significantly impacting Austin's tech roles with a growing number of jobs focused on AI. Companies seek tech professionals who can integrate AI into their operations, affecting job security and future prospects.
How has the presence of major companies like Apple and Tesla influenced Austin's tech industry?
The presence of major companies like Apple and Tesla has made Austin's tech job market more vibrant. These companies contribute to job creation and attract top tech talent, offering a mix of opportunities in established firms and innovative startups.
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Chevas Balloun
Director of Marketing & Brand
Chevas has spent over 15 years inventing brands, designing interfaces, and driving engagement for companies like Microsoft. He is a practiced writer, a productivity app inventor, board game designer, and has a builder-mentality drives entrepreneurship.