Do you have to work in the technology industry to work in tech? Absolutely not!

Working in tech is an exciting adventure! 🥳 Often, tech job salaries are higher, remote work opportunities are numerous, and the barrier to entry is lower (than you might expect).

You don’t have to forsake your passion industry to break into the technology industry (referred to as “Technology” in this post). Find out why you should continue pursuing your interests even after completing a coding bootcamp and explore the high-demand positions that non-tech employers are currently seeking to fill.

Table of Contents

• Why You Should Seek Tech Jobs Outside of the Tech Industry
• In-Demand Tech Jobs In Non-Technical Industries in 2023

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Why You Should Seek Tech Jobs Outside of the Tech Industry

Don’t get us wrong! Opportunities are abundant in the Tech Industry — despite ongoing layoffs, but we’ll get to that later! 😉 So why should you seek tech jobs outside of tech?

1. Big Layoffs continue to rock Big Tech.
2. Tech jobs are available in every industry.
3. You should love your tech job no matter the industry.

Let’s break down each point.

1. Big Layoffs Continue to Rock Big Tech.

If you’re tapped into the Technology space, you probably saw the news: Google laid off 12,000 workers in January 2023. This is another blow to the sector after a series of layoffs by other Big Tech companies in 2022.

Companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google are aspirational. And why shouldn’t they be?

Big Tech companies have advanced the Tech sector by enriching our lives with new tech and services. These aspirational companies, like Facebook and Google, also provide amazing work benefits. In addition to competitive salaries, Googleplex, the company’s headquarters and main campus, hosts a 24/7 gym, onsite health facility, dry cleaning facilities, cafeterias, and community kitchens. Google doesn’t just hire tech professionals, it offers a lifestyle.

So, yes, we understand why you and many others may aspire to be Googlers and Metamates.

That said, Big Tech can be volatile.

From our 2022 Big Tech layoffs coverage: Big Tech companies grew at unsustainable rates on the tidal wave of business demand during the COVID-19 pandemic that was later proven misguided. That success was short-lived as consumers returned to their normal habits post-pandemic and thousands of employees experienced job insecurity.

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2. Tech jobs are available in every industry.

Look, we know seeing the tech layoffs can be scary. After being courageous and taking a chance on yourself, it can be hard to witness the sector’s volatility. You probably have one or two thoughts at the forefront of your mind:

• How am I going to find work when I complete Break Into Tech?
• Is my tech job in jeopardy?

We will say it as often as it needs repeating: tech jobs ARE available outside the Tech industry. Full stop. And according to CompTIA, the top industries posting tech jobs in January 2023 were professional, scientific, and technical services; finance and insurance; manufacturing; information; and public administration. This data aligns and reinforces the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ top industries hiring designers and developers.

You can find numerous in-demand tech jobs in healthcare, fintech, education, and more.

Here’s how:

As technology impacts how users interact with services and products, companies in all industries must modernize to keep up with changing demand. For this reason, companies are creating their own internal tech teams complete with software engineers, web developers and designers, and network engineers.

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3. You should love your tech job no matter the industry.

A common misconception is that you have to work in the Technology industry to work in tech. As we’ve mentioned, this is not true. And, while there are several reasons some people have a fierce desire to enter Tech, YOU do not have to work in the sector if it’s not in your long-term career plan.

You do not have to aspire to work at Google or write the code that launches a new product line at Microsoft. If you’re a devoted educator, you can stay in the education sector to teach students computer skills or work IT in a university setting. Likewise, you can maintain your presence in the nonprofit sector as a web designer.

Your decision to work a tech job in a non-technical industry doesn’t decrease your ability or work, rather it vastly increases your job options.

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In-Demand Tech Jobs In Non-Technical Industries in 2023

If you’re considering starting a tech career, you’re in the right place. There are several technology career paths on the rise outside of the Technology industry.

Web Designer

A career in web design requires a range of skills, including the ability to create visually appealing designs and layouts for websites and webpages. As a web designer, your daily responsibilities may involve conducting user tests and analyzing their results, working collaboratively with design teams to create sample sites, and implementing feedback from stakeholders and users. Depending on the type of web design role you pursue, your specific responsibilities may vary.

• User experience (UX) designer
• User interface (UI) designer
• Interaction designer
• Graphic designer

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the demand for web developers and digital designers will increase by 23% between 2021 and 2031. In other words, the BLS estimates 21,800 web designer and developer jobs will be added to the job market over the decade. Even better news, Glassdoor estimates web designers take home an average salary of $59,240 as of February 2023.

The top industries hiring tech talent are:

1. Computer systems design and related services — 16%
2. Software publishers — 13%
3. Retail Trade — 5%
4. Finance and insurance — 5%
5. Advertising, public relations related services — 4%

Here’s a sampling of non-tech-related employers hiring web designers:

• Senior Graphic Designer, PGA of America (Entertainment and Sports)
• Web Design Specialist, Acme Tools (Commerce)
• UI/UX Designer, University of Denver (Education)

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Full Stack Developer

Full stack developers are the magic-makers of the web development world, able to turn dreams into reality with their software skills. They are masterful at crafting visually stunning front-end interfaces and seamlessly integrating back-end data processing and storage. Driven by their passion and technical know-how, they bring endless creativity and innovation to the table. These developers showcase the limitless possibilities of web development, making it an exciting and fulfilling career choice.

BLS estimates a 23% increase in job outlook from 2021 to 2031 — much faster than the national average for all occupations. If you’re wondering, that’s 21,800 prospective jobs added to the tech job market! This is excellent news, especially considering the full stack developer jobs have high-paying potential. The average full stack developer salary is $119,092, according to Glassdoor. Woohoo!

Similar to web designers, the top four of five industries employing web developers are outside of Tech, according to BLS:

1. Computer systems design and related services — 19%
2. Educational services; state, local, and private — 8%
3. Other information services — 6%
4. Advertising, public relations, and related services — 6%
5. Self-employed workers — 6%

To further illustrate the diversity of tech jobs outside of the tech industry, check out the following employers hiring full stack developers in February 2023.

• Full Stack Developer, Citi (Financial Services)
• Senior Full Stack Developer, Wells Fargo (Financial Services)
• Senior Full Stack Developer, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (Health Services)

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Data Scientist

Data scientists, or data analysts, are tech professionals who use analytical tools and methodologies to extract and analyze data. These professionals are highly skilled, experienced, and vital to business as they make business recommendations to stakeholders based on their analysis. For this reason, employers typically require advanced degrees as well as experience. This can be a bummer for some, but the hard work pays off handsomely.

BLS projects a 36% growth job outlook between 2021 and 2031 — this is MUCH faster than the average of all occupations. Put differently, about 40,500 new jobs (data science roles, of course 😉) are estimated to be added to the job market in the decade. And the pay? The average salary for data scientists is $103,591 as of February 2023, according to Glassdoor. See? The education pays off!

And, as you may have guessed by now, data scientists are needed in every industry. The largest employers of data scientists, according to BLS, are:

1. Computer systems design and related services — 15%
2. Management of companies and enterprises — 10%
3. Insurance carriers and related activities — 9%
4. Management, scientific, and technical consulting services — 7%
5. Scientific research and development services — 5%

Employers for data scientists are just as varied. Take a peek at who is hiring data scientists in February 2023.

• Data Scientist, Lockheed Martin (Aerospace)
• Data Scientist, AutoZone (Commerce)
• Data Scientist, Dollar General (Commerce)

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Cloud Engineer

Maybe you’ve heard about “The Cloud” in recent years. ☁️ The cloud is a network of servers that can be accessed over the internet. And like physical servers, the cloud must be maintained.

Cloud engineers (sadly not also known as weathermen) are network engineers that build and maintain cloud infrastructures. The cloud became increasingly important throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as professionals worked from home, needing access to company files and software applications. Remote work persists, as well as the demand for globalized information — thus the ongoing demand for cloud engineers.

The computer network architect profession, which includes cloud engineers, is expected to grow by 4% from 2021 to 2031. Cloud engineers make an average salary of $102,930, according to Glassdoor.

Of course, the computer systems design industry employs a large number of cloud engineers — 27%! However, several other industries are on the lookout for talented cloud engineers.

1. Telecommunications — 9%
2. Management of companies and enterprises — 8%
3. Insurance — 4%
4. Educational services; state, local, and private sector — 4%

Take a look at what non-tech companies are hiring cloud engineers.

• Cloud Engineer, American Express (Financial Services)
• Cloud Engineer, Robert Half (Professional Services)
• Senior Cloud Solutions Engineer, Humana (Health Services)

There’s a place for everyone inside and outside the Technology industry. In-demand skills have wide-ranging applications, and a diversity of career paths and functions. Employers across all industries need tech talent — aka YOU! Start learning the coding basics with our free coding camp Camp Skillcrush and start your tech career TODAY.

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Is Tech Right For you? Take Our 3-Minute Quiz!

You Will Learn: If a career in tech is right for you What tech careers fit your strengths What skills you need to reach your goals