10 Uncommon Tech Jobs You May Be Interested In

• Tech jobs aren't limited to just coding, web design, and IT support.
• Many — but not all — unique tech jobs require coding skills.
• The majority of these jobs pay well and fall above the national median salary.

Children are often asked what they want to be when they grow up, and they usually say things like "doctor," "teacher," or "ballerina." As they age, they start working toward more specific job roles, like dermatologist, professor, or choreographer.

But it's not until adulthood that you really start to understand the breadth of roles available for your skillset. In the tech industry, coding and IT jobs are well-known. But for those that want to branch out a bit more — good news. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of uncommon tech jobs that you won't often see your peers doing.

Many of these jobs pay high salaries, falling well above the national median salary, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported as $45,760 in May 2021. Since these jobs are less common than others in the tech industry, the salary estimates below may not be as reliable as the ones you'd find for more common jobs. Be sure to investigate salary ranges more thoroughly for any job you're interested in.

Read on for some of the most uncommon tech jobs that still pay well.

10 Uncommon Tech Jobs

Ethical Hacker

To most people, the word "hacker" means criminal, but it's not quite that simple. The term "hacking" originated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the 1960s to refer to outside-the-box ways to create more efficient computer systems. Now there is a growing demand for certified ethical hackers, a type of information security professional.

Ethical hackers use the tools and mindset of criminal hackers to test the security of an organization's data or network. This job requires strong technical skills, including knowledge of operations systems, proficiency in penetration testing, and strong knowledge of coding and cryptography. Ethical hackers often code in Python, BASH, and C++.

Average Salary: $79,620 (Payscale, June 2022)

Blockchain Analyst

You've probably heard the term "blockchain" used in reference to cryptocurrency. But at its most common definition, a blockchain is a system of recording information in a way that makes it impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system.

The role of blockchain analysts is still emerging. As a blockchain analyst, you would look at the performance of an existing blockchain. A degree in business or finance is highly desirable.

In addition to finance and business knowledge, many job postings require experience in cryptocurrency, research, analysis, and data collection.

Average Salary: $111,510 (ZipRecruiter, May 2022)

Tech Bootcamps for You

Video Game Tester

If you love video games, this might be your dream job. As games become more complex, testers are in demand, and this job may not even require a technical degree.

Many video game testers work in quality assurance. They need to be detail-oriented and able to spot glitches and communicate issues to the designers effectively.

While software knowledge isn't required, it certainly makes you a more desirable candidate for video game companies. A game design bootcamp or technical background in computer programming or software development is highly desirable. Additionally, you can get certifications from the International Software Testing Qualifications Board.

Median Salary: $43,260 (Glassdoor, June 2022)

Drone Operator

Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), don't require onboard operators, but they still require operators. These operators are also known as drone pilots.

Drone operators can work in various fields, from government agencies to military roles to private companies. Their primary responsibilities include capturing data via photos, planning flight paths, meeting with clients, and monitoring flight laws and regulations.

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates drones and requires drone pilot certification. You will need to pass an exam, obtain a pilot's license, and register a drone if you own one.

Average Salary: $50,800 (Payscale, June 2022)

Robotics Engineer

This position requires a higher level of education and experience than others on this list. A robotics engineer needs education in mechanical or electrical engineering as well as knowledge of software engineering and computer systems. This could be a great option for an engineer looking to enroll in a bootcamp.

Robotics engineers can work on some amazing projects, from medical devices to manufacturing tools. With more companies automating functions, the demand for robotics engineers continues to grow.

On a daily basis, robotics engineers perform calculations, test prototypes, analyze data, and apply machine learning.

Average Salary: $85,790 (Payscale, June 2022)

Gadget Reviewer

Do you have a passion for the written word and cool pieces of tech? You might want to consider a job as a gadget reviewer.

You might find these jobs listed as "product reviewer" or "staff writer." These jobs commonly look for at least two years of experience in professional writing and researching and a portfolio of published work. A background and passion for tech is most definitely a bonus.

If you don't have the writing experience but have a passion for tech gadgets, there's still a way to get in the game. A common way to build credibility and gain exposure is to start a YouTube channel with video reviews.

Average Salary: $51,660 (ZipRecruiter, June 2022)

Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality Engineer

If you're considering a coding bootcamp to aid in a career change, you might be interested in virtual (VR) or augmented (AR) reality engineering. Most people in this field have a background in software engineering.

AR/VR is a growing industry that has spurred an increase in related patents by large tech companies over the last decade. Relevant skills for this position may include knowledge of C++ or Python, bug fixing, UI/UX design, and project management experience.

While some companies might accept candidates with work experience in AR/VR design, others might require graduate-level education in this growing field.

Average Salary: $89,590 (ZipRecruiter, June 2022)

Site Reliability Engineer

Site reliability engineers (SRE) fill a role in tech that you may not have heard about but is functionally crucial to a company's success. The SRE role originated at Google in 2003 and soon became a best practice in the industry.

An SRE is responsible for successful communication between the software development team and the operations team at a company. Once a client installs software, the SRE troubleshoots software problems, escalates issues, and documents problems and solutions.

If you enjoy problem-solving and helping teams communicate, you might enjoy the SRE role.

Average Salary: $118,390 (Payscale, June 2022)

Web Content Developer

You might not think of web content development as a tech job, but it most definitely is. As the name implies, web content developers write the text for a company or client's website.

The role is a bit more complex. A background in marketing or communications is often desirable as this role requires strategic content development and the ability to analyze data on content effectiveness.

In addition to the marketing and creative work, a qualified web content developer will have basic or advanced HTML skills. This might be a great fit if you're looking to move into a tech role from a teaching career or working in marketing full time.

Median Salary: $48,270 (Salary.com, June 2022)

Technology Policy Analyst

You may have seen this title below someone's name on a news network, but what is a policy analyst really? Simply put, a policy analyst researches a topic in-depth, analyzes the data and information, and then provides recommendations to their employer.

A quick search on Indeed.com yields over 62,000 results for "tech policy analyst" as of June 2022. What the specific job looks like varies considerably due to the needs of the employer.

Most of these jobs require at least an undergraduate degree in a related field and prefer specialized education in tech or several years of experience working in tech.

Average Salary: $60,960 (Payscale, June 2022)

Frequently Asked Questions About Uncommon Tech Jobs