Publish 14 April 2023

In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world, having advanced tech skills can make a significant difference in your career and earnings. According to a recent study conducted by Gallup and Amazon Web Services (AWS), U.S. workers with advanced tech skills earn about 49% more than their counterparts who don’t use tech skills in their jobs, which translates to an average individual gain of $36,552 per year.

The report notes that as the development and adoption of new technologies continue at a breakneck pace, the need for digitally-savvy workers is greater than ever. In fact, newer technologies like cryptocurrency, the metaverse, and artificial intelligence are becoming skills requirements for jobs in several industries, including finance, manufacturing, and healthcare, with nearly two-thirds of employers saying it’s highly likely that these inventions will become a core part of their business in the near future.

As a result, those who consider digital upskilling stand to reap major benefits from this trend. At least four in 10 U.S. workers say learning new digital skills helped them boost their pay (43%), work more efficiently (42%), or get promoted (40%).

So, what are the top 10 tech skills that employers say are “extremely likely” to become standard parts of doing business? According to AWS and Gallup, they include:

5G
Generative AI tools
Digital twins
Distributed ledger technology
Quantum computing
AR/VR
Edge computing
Extended reality
Robotics
Natural language processing
At the top of the list is 5G, or the fifth generation of wireless technology, which cellphone companies began using in 2019. This technology can make data transmission more efficient across industries, allowing for large files to be transmitted more quickly between doctors and hospitals in healthcare, for example.

Generative AI tools, in particular, have become more popular in the workplace since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022. According to Jay Shankar, Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition at Amazon Web Services, “It’s a super important skillset employers are looking for, across all industries. AI is practically everywhere now … and to me, if there’s one technical skill you want to learn, that’s the area to focus on.”

Many of the jobs hiring for these technical skills, such as machine learning engineer and full stack developer, offer competitive salaries of $100,000 per year or higher. The rise of generative AI tools has also elicited increased demand for prompt engineers, who test prompts and build user guides to improve chatbots’ responses. Some of these jobs, which don’t require an engineering or coding background, can pay as much as $335,000.

If you’re looking to enhance your generative AI skills, there are several certification and training courses available online, from the University of Michigan, Coursera, and other e-learning platforms. For other technical skills, including machine learning and data analytics, AWS offers free online courses.

While some experts have warned that certain technologies, like AI and robotics, could replace millions of jobs in the next 10 years, Shankar says such innovations should be used to help workers be better at their jobs, not take them over completely. “It’s enabling us to accomplish things faster and evolve many roles,” she adds. “But I don’t think AI, for example, will ever fully replace humans.”

In conclusion, as technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest technical skills and advancements in your field. By doing so, you can set yourself apart in the job market, increase your earnings potential, and remain competitive in today’s digital age.