Top 10 High-Paying Jobs in Computer Science

Summary

Jobs in computer science can be exciting and lucrative career options. Here are 10 top careers in computer science and the relevant pre-college online courses to study while in high school.

Key Points

• Employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 26% from 2023 to 2033.
• Computer science degree holders had a median annual salary of $104,420, more than double the median for all other jobs.
• Computer science graduates are in much demand across all industries. 
• High-paying jobs include software architect, data scientist, and front-end helper. 
• Relevant pre-college online courses are available from top universities like Georgetown University, the University of Rochester, and Rice University.

As a high school student, perhaps knowing you have the potential of an exciting career and job security is alluring. Do you enjoy working with computers? Does problem-solving digital issues intrigue you? Then, studying computer science might be the right fit.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 26% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Over the next decade, about 3,400 openings for computer and information research scientists are projected, on average, each year.

What’s more, those working in computer science experience these benefits. 

• Computer science degree holders had a median annual salary of $104,420, more than double the median for all other jobs. However, one can earn much more depending on position and years of experience.
• Computer science graduates are in high demand across all industries. 
• A degree in computer science helps you get employed in industry, private firms, educational institutions, the federal government, healthcare, the military, and many other fields. You can also start your own business or private practice.

Data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and computer programming are a few potential specializations within computer science. Next, let’s review 10 of the highest-paying computer science jobs. 

10 Top-Earning Degrees in Computer Science

1. Software Architect

Software architects are responsible for designing and developing software applications and systems. They also act as high-level decision-makers in the process, making design choices to technical standards, such as coding standards and platforms.

• National average salary: $141,955 per year

2. DevOps Engineer

Development operations (DevOps) engineers implement automated applications and transition organizations to cloud technology. They develop and execute application transparency, work with engineers to identify and resolve various application issues, and assess an organization's security needs to recommend solutions.

• National average salary: $121,749 per year

3. Data Scientist

Data scientists analyze, interpret, and synthesize large amounts of raw data into more easily understood results. They may oversee the analysis of data sets to solve real-world problems, such as implementing new company healthcare policies or manufacturing a product more cost-effectively.

• National average salary: $122,446 per year

4. Mobile Developer

Mobile developers are tech professionals who design, create, and maintain mobile applications. They may test, debug, and improve mobile applications, often collaborating with design and product teams to achieve this.

• National average salary: $126,652 per year

5. Network Security Engineer

A network security engineer is responsible for provisioning, configuring, deploying, and maintaining network and security-related software and hardware, including virtual private networks (VPNs), network-monitoring tools, switches, routers, and firewalls. Network security engineers serve as an organization's first line of defense against cyberattacks and potential security threats. They require the know-how to prepare and strategize before a security threat is detected and to mitigate security threats that become evident.

• National average salary: $118,604 per year

6. Front-End Developer

Front-end developers make sites and applications as user-friendly as possible. They work with designers to ensure that the design plan will allow the website to operate effectively when implemented with code. They may also help identify and resolve issues, ensuring the site is optimized to generate results and support the data quickly.

• National average salary: $114,417 per year

7. .NET Developer

.NET developers design, implement, and integrate web applications for business systems. They also create and maintain coding documentation, application maintenance logs, and project progress reports.

• National average salary: $114,447 per year

8. UX Designer

User-experience (UX) designers create the look and feel of a specific computer interface. They ensure that software products are functional and user-friendly. UX designers usually work in teams and apply their skills to websites or computer applications.

• National average salary: $123,466 per year

9. Business Continuity Analyst

Business continuity analysts ensure that organizations recover data and resume normal operations following disasters or power outages. They research and prepare recovery strategies based on potential losses and possible risks, and train employees to perform recovery plans.

• National average salary: $108,211 per year

10. Software Engineer

Software engineers are closely involved in the research, development, design, and operational testing steps of the software development process. Some software engineers focus on building software for operating systems, while others create specialized computer applications and programs.

• National average salary: $105,224 per year

Do these exciting, highest-paying computer science jobs interest you? Did you know you can test out your computer science mettle while in high school?

Computer Science Pre-College Online Courses

Computer science pre-college courses are hot and growing in popularity. Prelum, Powered by Kaplan, partners with some of the country’s top universities to create engaging, tech-forward pre-college online courses in a variety of subjects, including those relevant to computer science.

Ever wondered what it takes to customize your own video game? In the Rochester Pre-College Online Program course Intro to Video Game Design, you’ll do just that. Discover how digital games are built and the skills game designers and developers use. Learn the art of storytelling and the techniques used to embed puzzles, action-adventure, and drama. See interviews with top game designers and explore careers in the field. 

Does cybersecurity intrigue you? Then Georgetown University’s Pre-College Online Program is for you. Cybersecurity: Protecting Our Digital Future explores how cyberspace evolved and how the world of the dark web came to be. Learn from experts from the FBI and CISA. Review the many vulnerabilities on the web and how they’re being addressed. Learn how AI is impacting cybersecurity.

Rice University, a Prelum partner, is a member of the New Ivy League. Their Precollege Online Program offers a course in engineering that provides a comprehensive introduction to electrical and computer engineering. Learn about the current advances made in computer science, as well as the many career opportunities available.

If the idea of combining computer science with medicine interests you, then the University of Rochester’s Pre-College Online Program is for you. Biomedical Engineering: Solving the Body’s Challenges with Technology is an exciting mix of computer science and technological advances in medicine. Learn how to measure, collect, and display data and delve into areas of medical innovation. If you want to understand the relationships between computer science, engineering, and medicine, this course is for you. An added value is that this course can also be taken for college credit.

Jobs in computer science can be exciting and lucrative career options. Studying college programs for high school students with Prelum partners is a great way to get ahead. What are you waiting for? Start today!

This was last reviewed by Ashley Simmons on 06/30/2025.