These days, the job market is sending a clear message that tech skills will remain in high demand for years to come. As time passes, roles that were once considered non-technical are now heavily influenced by technology. For example, bankers and marketers have to interact with complex technical tools every day. Employers are starting to sense this development as well. Interviewers are increasingly looking for candidates with technical fluency.

In our everyday lives, we are surrounded by technical products. This includes complex software that we might use to do our jobs and fun games we play at home.

The biggest companies are stepping up to hire more programmers, security engineers, data analysts, and other technical professionals. These jobs are centered around coding skills. Here’s a breakdown of each profession and a shortlist of their responsibilities on the job:

Most of these designations are often used interchangeably, but they’re all slightly distinct. For example, someone who uses programming languages to develop a technical product is a computer programmer. This is a broad definition, so many professionals can be categorized as programmers. On the other hand, developers are tasked with coding, coming up with cohesive documentation, and detecting errors in the code. Engineers carry slightly different connotations. They usually have deep computer science knowledge and practical experience in software engineering. Analysts are tasked with monitoring performance and making various types of data more understandable by deciphering it. They gain insights from raw data collected by the business.

Coders are also often hired for their web design and software engineering skills. Front-end and back-end developers are employed in large numbers to develop applications, websites, and other tools. Businesses also need project managers to delegate responsibilities and develop product specs. QA professionals eliminate bugs to ensure a smooth experience for end-users. Even though startup founder is not a standard profession, many founders come from technical backgrounds.

To start a career in these fields, it is not obligatory to have technical education. Most entry-level jobs are available in the areas of software development, engineering, and quality control. After gaining experience, candidates can be promoted to lead engineers or grow into management roles.

It is a common misconception that after achieving coding prowess, one must get another job to increase rank and salary. That’s not always the case—many companies lookout for promising candidates within their ranks and promote them. An excellent way to show off your skills is to take the initiative and use your coding skills to fix particular issues at your company. Most companies will notice and reward your efforts by increasing your salary or position. You can also gain additional skills to become more versatile as a programmer. Growing as a programmer will help you beat the competition and increase your chances of success in the job market.

Having coding skills can give you a competitive edge and increase your potential salary. Market values technical skills because of their vast potential. Coders can build websites, applications, and many other solutions. Professionals in this field also enjoy more freedom.

Technology is still evolving, and no one knows what’s ahead for certain. Developments in VR and AR fields are changing the industry landscape. For example, AI and VR can now detect cancer earlier and more accurately than doctors. The possibilities are truly endless as long as humans are willing to develop these technologies and create solutions that improve the quality of life for everyone.