Job Roles And Career Opportunities In IoT
The Internet of Things is a rapidly burgeoning area that is changing the way we work and live. And of course, it opens new and unbelievable employment opportunities. Just imagine that there will be 25.44 billion IoT devices by 2030! Does it look optimistic? Absolutely! As a result, the IoT will expand its scale and a plethora of vacancies will go on the scene, guaranteeing a wide range of jobs for people.
The IoT career field is commonly associated with developing IoT products, like hardware design, program testing, data analysis, etc. If you want to know everything about IoT job opportunities, you are in the best place! I will explain the crucial aspects of a career in the IoT sphere, the most popular directions, and salary trends.
What is IoT?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is more than just a network. A special ecosystem unites appliances, vehicles, different devices, and other physical objects integrated with special software. It allows data transmission and exchange between computer systems and the physical world. So, what do we have? The IoT devices assemble and exchange data via the Internet and interact with each other, supply valuable insights, and perform different tasks, showcasing the power of collective problem-solving.
Briefly, IoT extends the internet’s potential beyond standard computing devices, like smartphones and PCs, allowing typical objects to transform into interconnected and smart devices. So, I can say that these objects are frequently called “smart devices” since they can communicate with each other and with users, building a solid network.
It jumps out that the primary goal of IoT is to enhance convenience, efficiency, and productivity in different domains by using the power of connectivity and data exchange. IoT is sought-after in sundry areas, including manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and transportation.
Reasons to Start a Career in IoT
If you want to spawn in the IoT sphere but have doubts, I recommend exploring the reasons to build a career in this area. I have highlighted essential factors that may explain why we see the buzz around the IoT area.
Growing of the IoT Market
As the Internet of Things sphere has substantially changed, it opens new job opportunities in IoT. What do I mean? The global IoT market size crossed around $300.3 billion in 2021 and will reach over $650.5 billion in 2026.
I observe an increase in the level of implementation of IoT technologies in various fields of production, such as healthcare, agriculture, and automotive, and this trend has a positive effect on IoT development. It is no secret that the traditional manufacturing market is undergoing a significant digital transformation. For this reason, the IoT will continue to develop and access new technologies and possibilities.
Besides, I need to say that this area is concentrated on giving users value, not only adding technical opportunities for the internet connection. This way, the IoT market may achieve attractive possibilities for flourishing and involving new specialists.
Increasing IoT Adoption
One of the reasons to start building a career in IoT is that the pace of IoT adoption is breakneck. Modern companies can benefit from new opportunities by using IoT to transform and improve business systems and processes. On top of that, despite the projected surge in IoT popularity, the market for skilled professionals is not yet saturated. By dint of this, I can confidently say that this is a promising landscape for career growth.
Great Salary Packages
No mystery, that people aim for high-paying jobs. And yes, IoT vacancies may offer attractive salary packages. Salary estimates depend on the specific IoT job, roles, positions, and experience. However, statistics say that the average annual salary for an IoT engineer may vary from $97,000 to $104,000. I think it’s prestigious, isn’t it?
Flexibility of IoT Jobs
I cannot ignore that a career in IoT provides countless opportunities in different roles and allows flexibility in schedule and duties. The field of IoT is quite flexible and comprehensive, so here, you can find many paths to career success in different directions. For example, you can be an IoT security engineer or embedded engineer, or endeavor to create new projects as an IoT platform developer.
You have the potential to grasp your ambitions, expand your knowledge across various domains, and evolve as a professional. The choice depends wholly on you. You will be able to discover all your desires and master several IoT areas.
And you know what? I also cannot avoid the benefits of schedule flexibility because IoT specialists can frequently work remotely, independently planning their work and rest time. Isn’t this a dream?
Skills Required for IoT Career
As I mentioned, you have a diverse choice of IoT jobs to opt for, according to your desires and goals. Nonetheless, do not overlook developing or boosting some crucial skills that may help you to be a front-runner in the IoT area. I have crafted a list of these characteristics:
- Cloud computing;
- Security and networking;
- Edge computing;
- UI/UX design;
- Programming;
- IoT communication protocols;
- Data analytics.
It’s essential to remember the value of soft skills in your IoT journey coupled with this technical knowledge. Communication skills, an innovative mindset, punctuality, and the ability to adapt to various changes and demands are all equally crucial in ensuring your success and effectiveness in the IoT field.
Career Opportunities In IoT
Newcomers to the IoT area may be perplexed by a bunch of job proposals, like IoT embedded engineer, data analyst, designer, etc. So, I would like to describe the top-notch directions and their primary features.
IoT Embedded Engineer
If you ask me which IoT job is top-rated, I can confidently say that embedded engineering is the backbone of IoT. It is undeniably the most popular vacancy in this field. These specialists are responsible for creating and implementing software for embedded systems and gadgets in IoT networks.
IoT engineers focus on developing microprocessors, sensors, applications and other elements required for flawless IoT network functioning. The main task of IoT-embedded engineers is leveraging software creation techniques to resolve various issues. As I know and how I understand the work of IoT engineer, this specialist may be responsible for design, research actions, and testing of IoT devices. They also analyze the system’s stability and efficiency of operation.
IoT Data Analysts
As far as I know, the main task of an IoT data analyst is receiving relevant data from information assembled via IoT devices. If you are keen on this field, you should be fluent in statistics. Plus, an IoT data specialist must be able to identify correlations and patterns. Of course, this job requires a profound understanding of presenting information in clear graphical or tabular form. Bear in mind that IoT data analysts need to be aware of Python libraries and have skills in statistics-based languages.
IoT Platform Developer
Another way, you may go is to become an IoT platform developer. These specialists create, manage, and monitor IoT devices and systems. They also work with research, data analysis, and technological creation. Hence, be careful to pick this path, as these professionals must know the Java and C++ languages and have strong communication skills for effective teamwork.
I want to note that all IoT platform developers that I know have a groundbreaking mindset for brainstorming and seeking new ideas and IoT solutions. Can you imagine that IoT platform developers work without love for their work? Absolutely, no. They should like their jobs. And I think that as the IoT area rapidly grows, these specialists must follow the latest trends on a regular basis as well.
IoT Security Engineer
One of the promising career directions is an IoT security engineer. As the name implies, such specialists deal with systems and software security, preventing unwanted intrusion and other vulnerabilities. Simply put, these specialists develop a series of recommendations and actions that will improve the security of IoT data. Engineers also conduct regular security checks and logs to identify new potential risks.
IoT UI Designer
If you are seeking IoT jobs for freshers, I suggest you look into the IoT user interface designer position. What will you do? Your main task will be to create IoT systems that are accessible to users. This profession is ideal for creative people who know how to utilize design tools, think creatively, and strive to create something unusual.
IoT Architect
Another top-notch profession that I would like to highlight is IoT architecture. Such specialists design the architecture of IoT systems. They take the received ideas as a basis and turn them into a functional application design. In other words, IoT architects monitor the whole building process of IoT smart gadgets. It will be true if I say that these specialists are like a chain between technical tasks and their presenting to the end users.
Salary Trends in IoT
Is IoT a good career? I understand that you may be worried about mastering a new job. So, I have checked the salary data in the IoT area and can share it with you. First of all, you need to know that the salary depends on a few aspects, like experience, job role, location, and specific professional skills.
However, let’s look at the average salary of IoT specialists. Let’s start with the embedded engineers. Newcomers can earn around $104,000 per year, while seasoned employers can earn over $165,000 or more annually.
IoT security engineers are leading the job market, so their salaries range from $135,000 to $235,000. Of course, it depends on your experience and knowledge of cybersecurity and encryption. IoT data analysts process a large amount of data and engage in analytical work, so they also have a decent salary. As a rule, the pay ranges from $73,000 to $136,000 per year. And finally, IoT designers may get from $103,000 to $180,000 annually.
Final Words
As I said before, IoT is a rapidly developing field from a global perspective. Countless options for activities will allow you to realize your opportunities and potential. Pick what you like, whether security, development, design, or working with data. The choice is extensive, enabling you to develop and earn a good salary. I cannot say that you will be flush with money, but I deem that you can catch an excellent chance to move on to new perspectives.
