For tech professionals looking for new opportunities, finding the salary data and information needed to ensure you're making the right move for your career is becoming increasingly frustrating. Tech salaries are constantly changing, specialized roles in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies are in high demand, and it's more important now than ever to understand the market, know your worth, and strategically approach your job search.
Motion Recruitment recently published its latest Tech Salary Guide to help job seekers find the next step in their tech careers. Here are some of the ways tech workers can leverage salary guides to land the job — and the compensation package — that fits your skills and aspirations.
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1. Know Your Market Value
One key aspect of any salary guide is its detailed breakdown of salaries by role, experience level, and geographic location. Whether you're a software engineer, data scientist, or cybersecurity expert, understanding what others in your role earn can help you negotiate confidently.
Motion's Guide provides salary breakdowns by role and experience level, helping you differentiate between entry, mid-level, senior, lead, and principal roles. Understanding these differences can be helpful in the job search, making sure to apply for jobs that align with your experience. While specific titles can vary from company to company, here is a good guideline when looking for jobs:
- Mid-level professionals generally have 3-5 years of experience. They are independent contributors who may need some supervision but can handle most tasks independently.
- Senior-level employees have over 5 years of experience and typically manage more complex projects or lead small teams. They require less oversight and provide mentoring to junior staff.
- Lead roles often involve managing a team or a project. These professionals are not only technical experts but also oversee the work of others, ensuring that projects meet technical requirements and deadlines.
- Principal roles represent the highest level of technical expertise without moving into full management. Principals serve as the thought leaders or architects within the organization. They guide the company's technical direction and work on strategic initiatives that have a major impact on the organization.
Understanding these distinctions allows you to better recognize the roles you're applying to and look for compensation that matches the role's responsibilities.
2. Leverage Regional Salary Variances to Your Advantage
Location matters regarding tech salaries, with salaries rising or falling over 30% depending on the city. Our regional salary guides highlight the variations between major North American hubs like San Francisco, New York and Chicago, among others.
Seeing how the different cities compensate tech workers allows job seekers to adjust their salary expectations when applying for jobs in a particular part of the country.
3. Target High-Demand Skills
Demand for many tech skills continues to outpace supply, meaning that candidates with the right expertise are in a strong negotiating position. Skills related to AI, cybersecurity, machine learning, and cloud infrastructure are among the most sought-after in North America.
By learning about the skills companies are looking to hire for, those with the right experience can find a new role quickly and command a premium salary. When job hunting, highlight any in-demand skills you have on your resume and during interviews, as they can significantly enhance your earning potential.
4. Upskill to Boost Your Earning Potential
Tech is a constantly evolving industry, and keeping your skills sharp is key to staying competitive. This guide highlights the growing demand for professionals skilled in AI, machine learning, and cloud technologies. By investing in your education and upskilling, you can position yourself for roles that come with higher salaries and more responsibility.
Top Available Tech Jobs in North America
5. Understand the Broader Industry Trends
Many salary guides give insights into the broader trends shaping the tech job market. Staying informed about these trends can help you anticipate future demand and proactively position yourself for the next wave of job opportunities.
One of the biggest topics in this year's guide is how AI and automation is impacting the tech job market. By focusing your career development on these high-growth areas, you can ensure that your skills remain relevant and valuable, increasing your job security and earning potential.
Conclusion
Motion's Tech Salary Guide is a roadmap to navigating the fast-paced and competitive tech job market. Whether negotiating a salary, considering a relocation, or looking to upskill, this guide gives you the data and insights to make informed career decisions.
IT job seekers should use salary guides to research roles, set salary expectations, and position themselves strategically in a tech industry that continues to evolve. By leveraging resources across the web, you can advocate for a job and compensation package that reflects your true market value.
(Oct. 2025 Note: This article has been updated with current statistics.)
