Tech is a constantly growing field that everyone wants to be apart of. It is one of the highest ranking industries in both job and salary satisfaction.
The common misconception is that to get a job in the tech field you have to know how to code, which is not the case at all. Knowing how to code is valuable, and incredibly useful don’t get me wrong, but it’s not for everyone. Are you interested in getting into the tech industry to test out the waters? Maybe you’re looking for an entry-level tech job and your coding skills aren’t great yet. There’s a place for you, you just have to find your fit.
The highly technical and complex products being developed in tech companies everyday require the combined efforts of a number of other specialists, from research and design to marketing and accounting most of which don’t require any coding skills at all.
It’s not always easy to jump into a role in the Tech industry. Chances are it will seem even harder if you don’t know how to code. Even if you don’t want a job where you will be coding, I recommend at least becoming somewhat familiar with programming fundamentals. Why? Well, by learning the basics you will improve your communication among the team and have a better understanding of things. Whether you’re a project manager, an analyst, or a video game designer, the only way to know that your ideas will work with code is by understanding the basics. This doesn’t mean I’m trying to encourage you to become more of a developer. I’m just encouraging you to learn some basics even for a tech job that doesn’t require coding.
Nonetheless here are just 10 lucrative careers in technology, along with their national average salaries, according to PayScale, as of 2019 that you may be interested that don’t require coding to land a new role.
1. UX/UI (Product designer)
National Average Salary $81,092
The job of a UI designer is similar to UX, but UI designers focus more on the overall design of the interface. They ensure that the look and feel of the software’s or app’s interface must be uncluttered and user-friendly. They need to represent each stage of product design and development through wireframes, storyboards, user flows, and sitemaps. UI designers should know how to work in teams so that they can explain each design to other members. As a UX designer your key responsibilities basically include understanding users through surveys, interviews or other methods; knowing the most efficient ways to design or structure the elements and content of a website or app. UX and UI have been used interchangeably but aren’t the same. Most companies hire Product Designers with the expectation that they will perform both UX and UI functions daily.
2. UX Researcher
National Average Salary $83,566
A UX Researcher’s goal is to provide answers to the most challenging questions in the product’s design. The UX Researcher reveals what the consumers need from the business’s products by conducting primary research, exploring consumer behavior and motivation, and working with the Product Design, Product Management, and Product Development (engineers) departments in developing new product features. The UX Researcher also has to play a role in inspiring change at all stages of the product’s development through the delivery of exciting written, oral, and visual presentations about their findings. However, the most fundamental role of the UX Researcher is to assist the entire User Experience (UX) team in understanding what would ensure that the consumer’s experience with the product feels more intuitive, fun, accessible and great.
3. Software quality tester
National Average Salary $63,743
SQTs are responsible for testing the quality of software just before the launch. They ensure that each and every feature is working properly. SQTs perform various functional, stress and scalability tests considering a number of end-user scenarios. Most of their efforts are done with an intention to ‘break’ the software so that the final product will be free from every bug. A software quality assurance (QA) engineer monitors every phase of the development process to ensure that the design and software adhere to company standards. Software delays are costly for a company, a software quality assurance engineer helps meet deadlines by breaking up the development process into attainable testing goals and relaying any issues back to the development and product teams or leaders.
4. Sales Engineer
National Average Salary $72,579
Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses. They use their technical skills to explain the benefits of their products or services to potential customers and to show how their products or services are better than their competitors’ products. Some sales engineers work for the companies that design and build technical products. Others work for independent sales firms. Many of the duties of sales engineers are similar to those of other salespersons. They must interest the client in buying their products or services, negotiate a price, and complete the sale. To do this, sales engineers give presentations during which they explain all the technical aspects of the product and how it will solve a specific customer problem.
5. Technical writers
National Average Salary $59,448
Technical writers prepare instruction manuals, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They develop, gather, and break down technical information for customers, designers, and manufacturers. After a product is released, technical writers also may work with product liability specialists and customer service managers to improve the end-user experience through product design changes. Therefore, technical writers must be able to understand complex information and communicate the information to people with diverse professional backgrounds.
6. Program Managers
National Average Salary $94,338
Program Managers work on several projects simultaneously to ensure that all deliverables are done on time, within budget, and according to the right specifications. They coordinate with the individual project’s Product Manager or Lead and the client via meetings and emails. In this role you oversee the communications and schedules of the different teams until they are finished, and evaluate them to determine whether follow-up projects are necessary and what changes can be made for the future. Some positions require certification, such as project management professional certification, and a bachelor’s degree or higher in information technology, computer science, or a related field may also be required. As this is a leadership position, many years of relevant experience are often necessary, and past leadership skills and duties should be demonstrated.
7. Marketing Manager
National Average Salary $64,634
Marketing teams are more down-stream. They have direct goals to increase product adoption and sales. They could have subsets of roles and goals including online or offline marketing, direct customer or client business marketing, creative production or media outreach. Marketing managers are responsible for developing, implementing and executing strategic marketing plans for an entire organization in order to attract potential customers and retain existing ones. Marketing managers must be great business leaders as well as great marketing leaders because they are responsible for working with executives to determine budgets and targets, and they are often in charge of developing pricing strategies for products and services. While the marketing department looks to marketing managers for guidance and direction, executives count on marketing managers for profitability and results. Operating at the center of the marketing department, these professionals must have extraordinary communication skills.
8. System Admins and IT
National Average Salary $61,749
IT managers help employees with computer problems. These problems can include fixing wifi issues, setting up laptops for new employees and troubleshooting software malfunctions. Help desk technicians are needed by virtually every company that produces or uses sophisticated computer equipment. When either customers or colleagues run into technical problems The technician identifies the issue, makes troubleshooting suggestions, attempts different means of fixing the issue until it is resolved. If the problem persists, the help desk technician can usually refer the problem to a higher-level technician and may suggest a workaround until the problem can be permanently resolved.
9. Technical recruiter
National Average Salary $48,666
Recruiters help find new talent for the company. Coordinators first scout for talent online and schedule logistics for initial interviews, then recruiters interview those candidates and work with hiring managers to find the right match. Technical recruiters often stand as gatekeepers between major organizations and technical employees such as programmers and developers . While they don’t perform hands-on tasks with technology or coding, a fundamental understanding of the larger technical landscape is extremely important. Excellent communication skills are key for a technical recruiter.
10. Business Analyst
National Average Salary $68,364
A business analyst focuses on improving operations that involve information technology within a company. The business analyst offers consultation to management in an effort to help the company become more effective. The business analyst will analyze the hardware, software, and IT services that are being employed in a company in order to determine areas that need improvement. It is also important to have strong research skills in order to determine the latest trends and solutions. The analyst will then make suggestions as to what should be changed regarding company policies, structure, and operations when problems are detected. When solutions are implemented, the analyst will continue to monitor these solutions to analyze their efficiency and to make continuous improvements.
These are some of the alternate career options that you can choose if you don’t know or like coding. Great tech careers aren’t limited just to coders and data scientists. This industry really is wide open to people with all sorts of talents and experience.
If you are unsure which job seems like the best for you? Research a role that may have caught your attention, look at what their day-to-day tasks may be and possibly find someone who currently has that role to talk to. In the end there are plenty of jobs that don’t require coding but learning the basics will make things easier for everyone on your team. It’s never too late to learn some coding. It’s better to take a chance and see if you find out something you like then to hold back and miss out on your dream career.