What if I told you that some of the highest-paying tech careers of the next decade involve digital skills you’ve probably never heard of? “Who cares,” you say. Wrong answer.
If the market is saturated with traditional developers and data analysts, a new category of professionals specialized in niche technologies can earn attractive salaries, some of them astronomical. Quantum computing, creative technology, facilities tech integration: are just a few examples of explosively growing sectors where demand far exceeds the supply of qualified talent. Shall we take a ride together?
1. Quantum computing: when physics meets business
Quantum computing is not science fiction, it’s reality. Unlike classical bits that can only be 0 or 1, quantum qubits exist in a superposition state, processing infinite combinations of data simultaneously. Volkswagen used quantum algorithms in Beijing to optimize urban traffic by analyzing millions of variables in real time, something that traditional computers cannot handle effectively.
Le Career opportunities in quantum computing are growing rapidly. Many positions do not even require a doctorate (also because there are not many of them. In Italy, excellence is in Pisa, Naples and Catania. In Europe, the inevitable ETH in Zurich). Among digital skills, companies are also looking for curiosity, retraining ability and skills developed in other fields. Salaries start at around 70.000 euros for entry-level roles and go up to 250.000 euros for senior researchers.
2. Geographic Information Systems: Maps That Change the World
GIS combines map visualizations with data analysis to understand patterns related to geography. During COVID-19, the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore used GIS to build the global dashboard that tracked infections, recoveries and deaths in real time.
This technology is essential for urban planning, disease monitoring, and smart logistics. And it is a lifesaver for those who use it.
3. Creative technology: the bridge between art and code
Un creative technologist sits at the intersection of programming and creativity, building immersive experiences in AR/VR, art installations and interactive media.
Il Museum of the Future Dubai features exhibits that simulate space stations with real-time spatial audio and visuals, all built with creative technology.
4. Prompt engineering: the art of talking to machines
I prompt engineer (no, they are not “finished” as a professional figure) they do not build AI, they drive it. This emerging role focuses on creating optimal inputs to get perfect results from models like ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini.
Fintech startups are hiring and leveraging the digital skills of prompt engineers to improve AI-powered customer service, reducing response times by 60%.
5. Service Oriented Architecture: Building for the Future
In modern development, applications are no longer monoliths. SOA divides software into microservices that handle a single function and communicate via APIs. Netflix Use independent services for streaming, billing and recommendations: if one fails, the others continue to work.
These digital skills are essential for DevOps engineer, backend architect e cloud native developers.
6. Facilities tech integration: buildings that think
Imagine smart buildings where systems manage air quality, lighting, heating and maintenance using real-time data and automation.
Il Google Bay View Campus uses AI and sensors to reduce energy consumption by 40% by adapting to time, occupancy and weather conditions. “Who you gonna call?” the Ghostbusters would say. Well, good old building managers are going to need building energy managers.
7. Low-code and no-code development: programming without code
Low-code tools allow you to build applications using drag-and-drop interfaces with minimal coding. Domino's built a real-time inventory tracker with low-code tools, a project that would have taken months with traditional development.
These additional digital skills can keep product managers, designers and… entrepreneurs afloat just fine.
8. Digital twin technology: simulations that change everything
Un digital twin It is a dynamic, data-driven simulation of a real-world system, from a building to a production line, even a human organ. Siemens used a digital twin to redesign a production line, reducing downtime by 30% without touching a single physical component.
As I told you in this article, digital always offers new opportunities for those who know how to seize them. According to the European forecasts on digital skills, by 2030 80% of adults should have at least basic digital skills, with 20 million ICT specialists employed.
9. Edge computing: on-site processing
Instead of sending everything to the cloud, edge computing processes data locally where it is generated. Tesla They process data from cameras and sensors directly on the car for real-time braking, steering and acceleration.
Waiting for the cloud would be too slow and dangerous: developers, hurry up!
10. Ethical hacking: hacking for good
Ethical hacking It is a legal job where systems are tested to find vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do. Apple Pays up to $1M for critical bugs. A researcher found a lock screen bypass in iOS, earning a five-figure reward.
The future of digital skills is not just about knowing how to use technology, but about understand its complexity and knowing how to use it as a lever to support the business. These ten areas represent concrete opportunities for those who want to build a career in territories that are still little explored but rich in potential.
There is no need to change careers overnight. Choose one or two digital skills that you are most curious about, take an introductory course, explore how they are used in your current industry. Curiosity and the desire to learn are often more important than initial technical preparation.
