1. Artificial intelligence specialist
74% annual growth
According to the report, hiring for this role has grown 74% annually in the past four years.
Skills: Machine Learning, Deep Learning, TensorFlow, Python, Natural Language Processing
Industries: Computer software, Internet, Information Technology & Services, Higher Education, Consumer Electronics
Example of an artificial intelligence specialist role on Ladders: Principal Researcher in Distributed Artificial Intelligence at Toyota
2. Robotics engineer
40% annual growth
While careers in robotics engineering can vary between software and hardware roles, the report showed that this industry is booming no matter the preference between virtual and physical.
Skills: Robotic Process Automation, UiPath, Blue Prism, Automation Anywhere, Robotics
Industries: Information Technology & Services, Industrial Automation, Computer Software, Financial Services, Automotive
Example of a robotics engineer role on Ladders: Robotics Engineer in the National Robotics Engineering Center at Carnegie Mellon University.
3. Data scientist
37% annual growth
In 2012, Harvard Business Review called data scientist “the sexiest job of the 21st century”, and the role has not slowed down any since then. In fact, the role of data scientist has topped the Emerging Jobs list for three years in a row. This role is growing across all industries, and new data scientist positions are blooming from the evolution of previously existing jobs like Statisticians and the increased emphasis on data in academic research.
“A data scientist is often a part of a data science department that provides services to other departments in the organization and solves complex problems using data,” Yochay Ettun, CEO of cnvrg.io, told Ladders. “In some cases, data scientists are doing both science and engineering, depending on the support resources your company has, whether it be an MLOps solution, ML engineers or data engineers on your team.”
Skills: Machine Learning, Data Science, Python, R, Apache Spark
Industries: Information Technology & Services, Computer Software, Internet, Financial Services, Higher Education
Example of a data scientist role on Ladders: Data Scientist at Rakuten
4. Full stack engineer
35% annual growth
The role of full stack engineer is not a new one, but the rapid change in technology has made full stack developers valuable assets to companies. Since 2015, hiring for this position has increased 35% every year from a wide range of developer and engineering backgrounds.
Skills: React.js, Node.js, JavaScript, AngularJS, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Industries: Computer Software, Information Technology & Services, Internet, Financial Services, Higher Education
Example of a full stack engineer role on Ladders: Full Stack Software Engineer at Weight Watchers International
5. Site reliability engineer
34% annual growth
A site reliability engineer is the person in charge of making sure the app you’re using is always up and running. Focusing on ensuring that development and operational processes are running smoothly, this role isn’t going away a we continue to rely on technology in our everyday lives.
Skills: Amazon Web Services, Ansible, Kubernetes, Docker Products, Terraform
Industries: Internet, Computer Software, Information Technology & Services, Financial Services, Consumer Electronics
Example of a site reliability engineer role on Ladders: Site Reliability Engineer in Product Engineering Systems at Apple
6. Customer success specialist
34% annual growth
The growth of Customer success roles is fueled by the growth of technology services that require hands-on support. Currently, 72% of professionals in the customer success manager role are in the Software & IT industry. As a result, the skillset for this role is a hybrid of hard and soft skills.
Skills: Software as a Service (SaaS), Salesforce, Customer Relationship Management, Account Management, Customer Retention
Industries: Computer Software, Internet, Information Technology & Services, Marketing & Advertising, Financial Services
Example of a customer success specialist role on Ladders: Director of Customer Success at Brandwatch
7. Sales Development Representative
34% annual growth
The continued growth of the Sales Development Representative role comes from explosive growth of technology services that rely on these roles to find new customers. According to the report, the skills needed for the job have remained largely unchanged since 2015.
Skills: Salesforce, Cold-Calling, Software as a Service (SaaS), Lead Generation, Sales
Industries: Computer Software, Internet, Information Technology & Services, Marketing & Advertising, Computer & Network Security
Example of a sales development representative role on Ladders: B2B Sales Representative at Verizon Communications
8. Data engineer
33% annual growth
Data is every company’s most valuable resource, meaning they need some expert engineers that are able to build infrastructure to keep it organized. Since 2015, the hiring growth rate of professionals in this role has increased by nearly 35% across industries, from retail to automotive. Data engineers are increasingly expected to have Amazon Web Services as a skill on their resume, an expectation that did not exist in 2015.
Skills: Apache Spark, Hadoop, Python, Extract/Transform/Load (ETL), Amazon Web Services
Industries: Information Technology & Services, Internet, Computer Software, Financial Services, Hospital & Health Care
Example of a data engineer role: Data Engineer at Sirius XM Radio
9. Behavioral health technician
32% annual growth
The behavioral health technician role has increased in demand likely due to increased health insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Many of these professionals specialize in working with patients who have autism or behavioral disorders and work in school environments. Training for a behavioral health technician role doesn’t require a degree, which provides a unique opportunity for professionals with varied backgrounds to consider this emerging role.
Skills: Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Behavioral Health, Mental Health
Industries: Mental Health Care, Hospital & Health Care, Individual & Family Services, Education Management, Health, Wellness & Fitness
Example of a behavioral health technician role: Mental Health Outpatient Clinic Therapist at Fairview Health Services
10. Cybersecurity specialist
30% annual growth
With the boom of technology comes the boom of cybersecurity. According to a report, data breaches increased more than 50% in 2019, making the role of Cybersecurity specialist extremely important.
Skills: Cybersecurity, Information Security, Network Security, Vulnerability Assessment
Industries: Information Technology & Services, Defense & Space, Computer Network & Security, Management Consulting, Financial Services
Example of a cybersecurity specialist role: Cyber Security Network Security Specialist at Boeing
11. Back end developer
30% annual growth
As companies continue to build digital property, the role of backend developer is expected to continue growing in coming years. Remote opportunities are strong with the back end developer role, as this job can be done from anywhere.
Skills: Node.js, JavaScript, Amazon Web Services, Git, MongoDB
Industries: Computer Software, Internet, Information Technology & Services, Marketing & Advertising, Financial Services
Example of a back end developer role: Backend Developer at Bytemark
12. Chief revenue officer
28% annual growth
According to the report, the role of Chief revenue officer is a somewhat new concept and was born out of the need to better understand the role that both sales and marketing play in increasing revenue at a company.
A chief revenue officer is able to lead combined strategies as the two fields become more intertwined. The report finds that this role is not a fad, but in fact is here to stay.
Skills: Strategic Partnerships, Start-ups, Software as a Service (SaaS), Go-to-Market Strategy, Executive Management
Industries: Computer Software, Information Technology & Services, Marketing & Advertising, Internet, Financial Services
Example of a chief revenue officer role on Ladders: Vice President of Revenue Operations at Fisher Investments
13. Cloud engineer
27% annual growth
The cloud is becoming an ever-present force in our lives, and is something that many companies couldn’t live without. The cloud gets bigger every year, which means that companies will continue hiring cloud engineers across both industries and across the country.
Skills: Amazon Web Services, Cloud Computing, Docker Products, Ansible, Jenkins
Industries: Information Technology & Services, Computer Software, Financial Services, Internet, Telecommunications
Example of a cloud engineer role on Ladders: Senior Cloud Engineer at Hallmark Cards, Inc
14. JavaScript developer
25% annual growth
Even outside the JavaScript developer position, JavaScript is among the top five in-demand skills in the software industry right now.
Skills: React.js, Node.js, AngularJS, JavaScript, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Industries: Computer Software, Information Technology & Services, Internet, Financial Services, Marketing & Advertising
Example of a JavaScript developer role on Ladders : Javascript Developer at Interactive Brokers
15. Product owner
24% annual growth
The role of product owner is perfect for anyone who has the desire to support the product development process but isn’t an engineer. Product owners must be able to multitask, as they wear a lot of hats and are responsible for the success of the product in the market. This role can consist of anything from market research to customer relationship management.
Skills: Agile Methodologies, Scrum, Product Management, Software Development, JIRA
Industries: Information Technology & Services, Financial Services, Computer Software, Insurance, Hospital & Health Care