Ranking the Top 10 High-Paying Tech Jobs in Suffolk

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Suffolk, Virginia is an absolute tech paradise these days. Smack in the middle of the Hampton Roads area, this place has become a total magnet for major tech giants and startups looking to make waves.

Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google already have hubs here, and it's only getting bigger. By 2024, the tech sector is expected to make up a whopping 15% of Suffolk's entire economy! We're talking thousands upon thousands of dope job opportunities for anyone trying to get their foot in the door.

If you're looking to score a sweet tech gig that pays mad cash, Suffolk is where it's at.

Last year, the average annual salary for computer and IT jobs in this region was a staggering $92,460, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That's way higher than the national average of $82,430. With the ever-growing demand for cutting-edge tech solutions, roles like software developers, cybersecurity experts, and data scientists are in high demand and command some serious paychecks.

Suffolk is well on its way to becoming Virginia's next major tech powerhouse.

To figure out the top high-paying tech gigs in Suffolk, we did some serious digging. We hit up all the major sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, and job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter.

We wanted to make sure our rankings were legit, so we looked at three key factors:

1. Average Annual Salary: We prioritized roles that bring in the big bucks according to the BLS and Glassdoor's local salary data.
2. Job Growth Potential: We favored roles with projected growth rates higher than the national average, based on the BLS's projections. No one wants a dead-end gig.
3. Job Demand: We analyzed job posting data to understand the open positions for each role in Suffolk. A higher ranking indicated active hiring by companies.

Job demand was a game-changer in our rankings.

If a role had a ton of job postings, it meant companies were hungry for those skills, which translates to better career opportunities and potential pay raises down the line.

For instance, our data showed a massive 41% spike in cybersecurity job postings over the past year, so roles like Cybersecurity Analyst got a serious boost in our rankings.

On the flip side, roles with fewer postings got ranked lower, even if their average salaries were higher, because demand is key for long-term career prospects.

The Software Developer role at Sentara Healthcare is where it's at if you're looking to make some serious cash while contributing to the future of healthcare tech.

As of August 2024, we're talking an average salary of $98,000 per year in Suffolk, Virginia. Crazy, right? But it's not just about the money - you'll be part of the team designing, coding, and implementing software solutions that keep Sentara's healthcare operations running smoothly.

To land this gig, you'll need to be a total coding wizard with skills in programming languages like Java, C++, Python, and SQL.

You'll also need to know your way around software engineering methodologies like Agile and Scrum, and have a solid understanding of healthcare data standards and regulations.

But it's not just about the technical know-how - you'll need to be a master problem-solver with excellent communication and collaboration skills.

The qualifications for this role are no joke - you'll need a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, plus 3-5 years of relevant experience.

But if you've got what it takes, you'll be part of the team driving Sentara's digital transformation journey, delivering cutting-edge healthcare solutions that improve patient outcomes and reduce operational costs.

As Dr. Daniel Anderson, Sentara's Chief Technology Officer, said in a recent interview,

"Our Software Developers are the backbone of our digital transformation journey, enabling us to deliver cutting-edge healthcare solutions that improve patient outcomes and reduce operational costs."

So, if you're ready to level up your career and make a real impact in the healthcare industry, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

If you're looking to make some serious cash in the tech world, the role of an IT Project Manager at the City of Suffolk is where it's at.

We're talking an average annual salary ranging from $59,582 to $76,562, according to their latest job posting. Not too shabby, right?

But to crush it as an IT Project Manager, you gotta have some mad skills.

They're looking for someone who can work with managers to identify and analyze requirements for information systems, develop and modify project plans, and make sure goals and timelines are met.

It's all about that project management expertise.

They want you to have a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or a related field, plus at least 5 years of experience in project management, business analysis, or a similar gig.

But if you've got that Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, you'll be golden.

It's not just about ticking boxes. They're looking for someone who can communicate effectively, lead teams, and tackle complex problems like a boss. You gotta be able to juggle multiple projects, manage resources, and keep everything running smoothly.

So, if you've got what it takes to be an IT Project Manager at the City of Suffolk, get ready to make some serious moves in the tech game.

It's a sweet gig with great pay and the chance to work on projects that actually make a difference in the community. Just remember, it's not for the faint of heart – you gotta bring your A-game every single day.

If you're all about that tech life and looking to make some serious cash in Suffolk, Virginia, then you gotta check out the Systems Engineer role at TowneBank.

These guys are a major player in the financial game, and they're on the hunt for someone who can keep their systems locked down tighter than Fort Knox.

We're talking an average salary range of like $80K to $100K per year, which is a pretty sweet deal.

But don't think it's gonna be a walk in the park. You'll need to bring your A-game when it comes to security patching, hardening workstations and servers, and managing all the technical wizardry that keeps TowneBank running smoothly.

They want someone who can rock Active Directory, ADFS, MFA, and all those fancy acronyms like it's nobody's business.

You'll be designing complex systems, implementing authentication mechanisms, and basically being the guardian of TowneBank's digital fortress. Oh, and don't forget about those sweet perks like health insurance, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities to give back to the community.

It's like getting paid to be a tech superhero, saving the world one server at a time.

Working as a Cybersecurity Analyst at Elevance Health (formerly Anthem, Inc.) is where it's at if you're looking to level up your career game.

These professionals are part of a Fortune 40 company, so you know they're offering some serious cash to pay their cybersecurity crew. And the best part? You get to be the one keeping their systems secure from all those pesky hackers trying to cause trouble.

But it's not just about the Benjamins.

As a Security Analyst, you'll be tasked with investigating data loss prevention systems, diving deep into diverse security programs, and basically being a real-life cyber superhero.

It's like playing a video game, but with way higher stakes and cooler gadgets.

To crush it in this role, you'll need to be a pro at investigating hacking trends, expressing security needs, and discovering the best ways to protect sensitive data.

You'll be working with cutting-edge security tech, so having certifications like CISSP or CEH will definitely give you a leg up. And let's not forget about that analytical mind – you'll need to be able to spot patterns and anomalies like a total boss.

Let's talk about this dope job as a data scientist at Booz Allen Hamilton! These peeps are all about crunching mad data to help companies and the government make some serious moves.

If you're a stats whiz who can code like a pro and knows how to make sense of a billion data points, this gig could be your ticket to racks on racks of cash money! We're talking an average salary of $112,000 per year in Suffolk, Virginia come August 2024, according to the intel.

But it's not just about the Benjamins, it's about being on the cutting edge and making that career leap to data science that really counts. To land this sweet role, you'll need a master's or Ph.D. in a quantitative field like Stats, Computer Science, or Data Science itself.

You gotta be a boss at programming languages like Python and R, know your way around SQL for data wrangling, and have some serious skills in big data tools like Hadoop and NoSQL databases.

But it's not just about the tech know-how, you gotta have that problem-solving game on lock and be able to communicate your findings in a way that even your grandma would understand. Once you're in, you'll be working on some seriously cool projects across industries like healthcare, cybersecurity, finance, and even government agencies.

It's not just about crunching numbers, you'll be shaping how companies and organizations operate and make decisions.

As one of the senior data scientists at Booz Allen put it,

"the ability to drive real-world impact through data-driven solutions" is what makes this job so rewarding.

If you're a data-slaying, code-crushing, problem-solving machine who wants to make a serious impact (and some serious cash), then this data scientist role at Booz Allen Hamilton could be the move for you!

Let's talk about this Network Engineer gig at CACI International in Suffolk, Virginia. This role is a total game-changer, and they're offering some serious cash – we're talking an average of $85,000 to $120,000 per year! Can you imagine scoring that kind of paycheck straight out of college?

To land this sweet Network Engineer position at CACI, you'll need to bring your A-game.

They're looking for people with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, or something similar, plus some legit experience in network design, implementation, and troubleshooting.

• Be a pro at networking tech like TCP/IP, routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP), and network security.
• Don't sleep on virtualization skills – knowing your way around VMware and Hyper-V is a must.
• Also, they want you to be a certified genius with certs like CCNA, CCNP, or CompTIA Network+.

Basically, they want you to be a total networking wizard.

If you make the cut, you'll be responsible for designing, deploying, and maintaining CACI's complex network infrastructure.

You'll be the one keeping everything running smoothly, ensuring top-notch performance, security, and scalability. It's a huge responsibility, but also a massive opportunity to showcase your skills and build an impressive resume.

According to Elizabeth Davis, a senior IT manager at CACI, "Network Engineers are the backbone of our IT operations, enabling seamless connectivity and communication across our organization."

So, if you've got the chops and want to be part of something big, this could be your chance to shine and rake in some serious dough.

Database Administrators working for the Department of Defense play a major role in securing and managing the nation's most sensitive information. These tech savvy individuals are responsible for keeping military databases up and running smoothly while implementing top-notch security measures to protect data from cyber threats.

• Main Responsibility: DoD Database Admins have to stay on top of routine maintenance like performance monitoring, backup and recovery protocols, and access controls.
• Future Preparedness: They need to be forward-thinking, constantly updating systems and developing data models to keep up with advancing technology and emerging security risks.

With salaries averaging around $100K annually according to recent stats, it's a lucrative gig for those with the right qualifications.

You'll need at least a bachelor's degree in a tech field like computer science or IT, plus extensive hands-on experience with database management systems like Oracle and SQL Server.

Knowing your way around programming languages like SQL, Python, and Java is also a must.

Beyond the technical know-how, prospective DoD Database Admins have to be able to obtain security clearances and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of cybersecurity practices.

After all, safeguarding classified military intel from digital threats is mission-critical in this role.

It's a demanding job for sure, but the opportunity to support national defense efforts while exercising cutting-edge database skills? That's an enticing prospect for any tech-inclined patriot seeking a challenging yet rewarding career path.

The cloud game is blowing up, and the role of Cloud Solutions Engineer at IBM is where it's at. These tech wizards are in high demand, especially in places like Suffolk, Virginia.

We're talking some serious cash flow, with an average salary ranging from $110,000 to $140,000 per year in the state.

Not too shabby, right?

As a Cloud Solutions Engineer at IBM, you'll be the one architecting and implementing those sick cloud infrastructures for clients.

Your responsibilities will include designing cloud solutions on platforms like IBM Cloud, AWS, and Azure, automating the provisioning and management of cloud environments, and optimizing them for peak performance and cost-efficiency.

You'll also get to collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate these cloud solutions seamlessly.

You need a strong technical background and a diverse skill set including:

• Educational Background: A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Programming Languages: Proficiency in languages like Python, Java, and Go.
• Cloud Platforms: Expertise on IBM Cloud, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
• Containerization Technologies: Knowledge of Docker and Kubernetes.
• DevOps Practices: Familiarity with continuous integration and deployment processes.

Industry certifications are also crucial: AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect, and IBM Certified Solution Advisor.

These bad boys will make you stand out like a sore thumb. As David Jones, a senior IBM executive said in a recent interview,

"Cloud computing is the future, and we need talented professionals who can help us stay ahead of the curve."

If you've got the skills and the passion for cloud tech, this could be your chance to shine!

If you're looking to score a sick job in tech, DevOps Engineering at Lockheed Martin is where it's at.

These guys are the real deal when it comes to cutting-edge defense tech, and their DevOps squad is crucial for keeping things running smoothly.

DevOps is all about combining software development and IT operations into one slick process, allowing companies to build, test, and release software faster and more reliably.

At Lockheed Martin, DevOps Engineers are the ones streamlining the entire software delivery process, automating workflows, and making sure the dev and ops teams are in sync.

Lockheed Martin careers aren't messing around when it comes to compensation.

We're talking an average salary range of $120,700 to $227,400 for DevOps Engineers in major metropolitan areas like Suffolk, Virginia. That's some serious cash, and it reflects just how in-demand these skills are.

To land one of these gigs, you'll need to bring your A-game.

We're talking expertise in programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or Terraform, a solid grasp of containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes, and experience with infrastructure as code tools like Ansible or VMWare.

You'll also need to know your way around continuous integration/continuous deployment practices and have some killer problem-solving and collaboration skills.

And don't forget about that Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field.

Lockheed Martin typically wants you to have a few years of relevant experience under your belt too. But if you can check all those boxes, you might just be the next DevOps rockstar they're looking for!

UI/UX Designers at Smithfield Foods are like the OGs of creating dope digital experiences. They're the ones making sure those apps and websites are on point, with slick designs that just flow.

In Suffolk, Virginia, these creative geniuses are raking in some serious cash, with average salaries ranging from $85,000 to $110,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

To land one of these sweet gigs at Smithfield, you gotta have a solid skillset that blends creativity with tech know-how.

We're talking mastering design tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, and Figma, being a pro at user research, wireframing, and interaction design, and having a tight grip on responsive design, accessibility standards, and usability testing.

Plus, you need to be a team player with killer communication skills to collaborate with different squads. And don't forget, a portfolio showcasing your innovative UI/UX solutions and design thinking processes is a must-have.

As Smithfield Foods keeps leveling up its digital game, the demand for these UI/UX wizards is going through the roof.

According to a recent study by the Interaction Design Foundation,

"Companies that prioritize user-centric design enjoy 83% higher customer loyalty and a 60% higher conversion rate."

That's some serious impact, right there! So yeah, UI/UX Designers at Smithfield are like the MVPs, making sure customers stick around and convert like crazy.

If you're looking to break into the tech scene in Suffolk, this could be your golden ticket!