Even with the most recent round of layoffs, the tech industry is predicted to continue growing at a rapid rate well into the next decade. With an abundance of job opportunities, now is a perfect time to break into the tech sector.
However, many associate jobs in tech with intensive programming and working with complicated coding languages. For those of us that aren’t so technically inclined, this can be a discouraging barrier to entry. Fortunately, there has been a rise in the popularity of tech roles that don’t require you to code. These jobs have many transferable skills from other industries and offer competitive salaries.
We look at some of the highest-paid no-code roles in technology that offer individuals a way to land their career in tech without extensive technical requirements.
For more on improvement in technology, check out these other AITJ articles: Best Tech Courses for Non-Techies and Best Business Skills and Courses for Tech Geeks
Software Product Manager
A software product manager (SPM) performs many of the same functions as a regular product manager. However, the difference is the focus on the product as the software product manager role applies exclusively to the tech industry. The SPM creates the path that their team will follow to bring a software idea to reality. They make key decisions about business strategy and manage every facet related to developing their software product and they do that by using top product management tools such as Zeda, Trello, and Asana to effectively plan, track progress, and collaborate with the development team throughout the software development lifecycle.
SPMs conduct research to understand what customer needs are so that they can develop a software product that meets market demands. They determine what features the software should have and set a long-term vision for the future of the software that adheres to company standards and goals. The managers will work closely with a development team and other related teams throughout the creation phase of the product, ensuring the developers are constantly on track and have a clear understanding of targets and business strategy. After the product launch, SPMs will still maintain oversight of the software until it enters the decline phase of the product life cycle and is eventually retired.
On average, SPMs get paid a salary of $112,000 in the United States. Most companies require a bachelor’s degree and 5-10 years of related management experience for this role, however, a master’s degree may be required depending on the company. Additionally, skills such as creative ideation, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving are preferred in roles such as this.
Software Sales Rep
Software sales representatives provide a type of consultancy service for a company’s current and prospective clients. They evaluate the needs of their client and make specific purchase recommendations for software products their company offers to close deals. This is a very client-oriented role and much of a software sales rep’s time is spent maintaining customer relations or qualifying new leads.
Customer service and a thorough knowledge of the software being sold are key traits that help individuals excel in this role. Many times, sales reps will have to provide a demonstration of the software they are selling, so knowing the ins and outs of every product is crucial. Additionally, software sales reps must be adept at communication, as they often have to explain technical information about their company’s product offerings and answer various questions a client has.
Since software sales may be commission-based, this job has a large earning potential. The average salary for software sales reps in the United States ranges from $81,000-$118,000. To be considered for this role, you must have experience with sales and marketing and fantastic interpersonal skills. Typically, a Bachelor’s degree is required but some companies may allow a high school diploma instead.
Project Manager
While a project manager may seem similar to a product manager, project management differs greatly from product management. Project managers facilitate the various projects that need to occur for a product to come to life. They oversee timelines, ensure budgets and schedules are adhered to, and manage the entire scope of a project. Their role is not limited to just tangible products. Services and other intangible deliverables also fall in the realm of project management.
Project managers will work with product managers to deliver products, however, the product may just be one small feature of an entire project. They are in charge of planning, organizing, and executing goals while providing support and guidance to anyone related to the project. They communicate project value to stakeholders, so they must be skilled in reporting and communication.
A bachelor’s degree in a related field is traditionally required, as well as solid background experience in planning and management. Project managers can expect to make an average salary of $115,000 up to $170,000 in the United States.
UX/UI Designer
The terms UX/UI stand for “user experience” and “user interface”, respectively. User experience design and user interface design are not completely the same. UX encompasses the whole cycle of a customer’s interaction with a product while UI refers specifically to graphic design and usability of web experiences.
The main goal of both of these roles is to make interactions with products and services enjoyable and simple for the end user. A good user interface leads to a positive user experience. To curate these simple experiences, UX/UI designers enhance what a development team has created. There are a number of different tasks that designers will perform, but creating user-friendly interfaces for complex products and services is the key feature of these roles.
Many UX/UI designer roles do not require formal education, rather, many employers prefer demonstrated experience in the field. Coursera offers a Principals of UX/UI Design course taught by Meta staff that will help designers stand out in the workforce. The average salary for these roles in the United States is $75,000. Total compensation can equal upwards of $140,000.
Technical Writer
A technical writer is responsible for the written content a tech company puts out about its products and services. This content can include anything from instruction manuals and reference guides to white papers and operating guides. Any type of complex information that needs to be rewritten for clarity and conciseness falls under the scope of technical writing.
To be successful in this role, technical writers must be skilled at subject matter research and technical document planning. Professionals often refer to the material that technical writers compile, making it necessary for writers to also be experts in the content they’re writing about. Technical writers often complete extensive theoretical research in their specific professional niche and develop easily understandable content for the end user.
While being a technical writer does not require any coding, it does require some degree of expertise with the technology you’re writing about. For example, technical writers employed by Apple should be attuned to how Apple’s operating system works and may write content based on how to use iCloud. Writers for Youtube may curate a guide on how to monetize a video. Each technical writing project is different and varies based on who you’re writing for. Qualifications for becoming a technical writer are simple: have a Bachelor’s degree in English (or a related field) and 2-5 years of writing experience. Industry-specific knowledge is also recommended if you wish to work in the field. Technical writers get paid an average salary of $78,000 in the United States, making it an attractive job opportunity for those who wish to enter tech without knowing how to code.
