Nevada has rapidly emerged as a top destination for technology companies and professionals over the past decade. Major investments by Tesla, Google, Apple, Amazon and others have turned the state into a leading tech hub. This growth has created abundant high-paying job opportunities in various technology specialties.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top eight best-paying tech jobs currently available in Nevada. For each role, we will provide an overview of the position, salary range, career progression opportunities, job outlook, and typical education requirements. Read on to learn which exciting and lucrative tech careers you can pursue in the Silver State.
The Booming Tech Industry in Nevada
The technology industry has expanded enormously in Nevada over the past 10 years. Several key factors have driven this rapid growth:
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Influx of major tech companies – Tesla, Google, Apple, Amazon, and many other tech giants have established large-scale facilities and operations in Nevada, investing billions in the state.
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Business-friendly policies – Nevada‘s low taxes and regulatory environment have attracted emerging startups alongside established companies.
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Technology workforce – Nevada‘s tech talent pool has expanded by 46% over the past 5 years to over 115,000 workers today. [Source]
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Rapid job creation – The number of tech jobs in Nevada grew by 13% in 2021 alone. Tech accounts for 97,600 jobs in the state. [Source]
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Economic impact – The tech industry contributed $17.3 billion to Nevada‘s GDP in 2021. The average tech worker salary is nearly $100,000. [Source]
This thriving tech ecosystem has given rise to numerous well-paying positions across domains. Here we explore the top eight highest paying tech jobs available in Nevada right now.
1. Software Engineer
$89,000 to $142,000 per year
Software engineers design, develop, troubleshoot and maintain software applications and systems. They collaborate with businesses to understand software requirements and then create optimized solutions.
Software engineers in Nevada earn an average salary between $89,000 to $142,000 per year. Those working at large tech companies tend to earn near the top of this range.
Here‘s a breakdown of software engineer salaries in Nevada:
| Experience Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-level | $89,000 |
| Mid-level | $115,000 |
| Senior | $142,000 |
With around 5 years of experience, software engineers can progress to senior or lead engineering roles, potentially earning upwards of $165,000 annually.
The job outlook for software engineers is very strong in Nevada, projected to grow 25% over the next decade. [Source] This reflects the state‘s expanding tech sector.
Entry Requirements
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Bachelor‘s degree in computer science or related field
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Proficiency in languages like Java, Python, JavaScript
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Strong problem solving and analytical skills
2. Clinical Engineer
$85,000 to $146,000 per year
Clinical engineers manage healthcare technology like medical devices, software systems and hospital equipment. They ensure these technologies safely and effectively support patient diagnosis, care, and treatment.
In Nevada, clinical engineers earn an average salary between $85,000 to $146,000 per year. Those working in large hospitals and research facilities tend to be at the higher end.
Here is a comparison of average clinical engineering salaries by work setting in Nevada:
| Work Setting | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Hospitals | $110,000 |
| Outpatient Facilities | $95,000 |
| Medical Manufacturers | $115,000 |
| Research Institutes | $130,000 |
Experienced clinical engineers can rise to senior leadership roles like Director of Clinical Engineering, with potential salaries upward of $170,000.
Strong demand for clinical engineers is projected due to healthcare technologies becoming more complex and prevalent. [Source]
Entry Requirements
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Bachelor‘s degree in biomedical engineering
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Knowledge of healthcare systems and technologies
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Strong analytical and communication skills
3. Data Engineer
$97,000 to $156,000 per year
Data engineers develop and maintain data pipelines that collect, store, and analyze large datasets. They build infrastructure to ingest data from diverse sources and implement algorithms that process data at scale.
In Nevada, data engineers earn an average salary between $97,000 to $156,000 per year. Those specializing in high-demand skills like Spark, Hadoop and AWS can earn towards the top end.
Here is a comparison of average data engineer salaries in Nevada by years of experience:
| Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years | $97,000 |
| 3-5 years | $128,000 |
| 5+ years | $156,000 |
Seasoned data engineers can progress to senior technical or management roles like data architect and director of data engineering, with potential salaries exceeding $175,000.
Demand for data engineers in Nevada is expected to grow by 29% over the next decade, much faster than average. [Source]
Entry Requirements
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Bachelor‘s degree in computer science or related quantitative field
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Knowledge of SQL, databases, data pipelines, AWS
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
4. Nuclear Engineer
$79,000 to $126,000 per year
Nuclear engineers work in the nuclear energy industry designing reactors, radiation instrumentation and other systems. They analyze nuclear plant operations to ensure safe, efficient energy generation.
In Nevada, nuclear engineers earn an average salary between $79,000 to $126,000 per year. Those employed directly in the nuclear power industry tend to earn near the top end of this range.
Here is a comparison of average nuclear engineering salaries by industry in Nevada:
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Energy | $120,000 |
| Government | $95,000 |
| Defense | $105,000 |
| Education | $85,000 |
With around 6 years of experience, nuclear engineers can progress to senior technical and project leadership positions, potentially earning upwards of $145,000 annually.
Job demand for nuclear engineers aligns closely with nuclear energy production and federal regulatory policies. Employment in Nevada is projected to grow by 9% over the next decade. [Source]
Entry Requirements
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Bachelor‘s degree in nuclear engineering
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Strong grasp of nuclear physics and reactor design
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Willingness to adhere to safety protocols
5. AI Engineer
$102,000 to $168,000 per year
AI engineers develop and implement machine learning systems and models that automate tasks and extract insights from complex data. They work on innovations in natural language processing, computer vision, predictive analytics, and more.
In Nevada, AI engineers earn an average salary between $102,000 to $168,000 per year. Those with specialized skills in leading AI frameworks like TensorFlow tend to earn near the top end.
Here is a comparison of average AI engineer salaries in Nevada by years of experience:
| Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years | $102,000 |
| 3-5 years | $138,000 |
| 5+ years | $168,000 |
Seasoned AI engineers can progress to senior technical and research positions, with potential earnings exceeding $195,000 annually.
Demand for AI engineering skills in Nevada is projected to grow by 43% over the next decade, much faster than average. [Source]
Entry Requirements
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Bachelor‘s degree in computer science, cognitive science or related quantitative field
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Hands-on experience with leading AI frameworks and Python
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Strong math and analytical capabilities
6. Aerospace Engineer
$71,000 to $123,000 per year
Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and develop related technologies. They creatively solve complex engineering challenges in the aviation and space exploration fields.
In Nevada, aerospace engineers earn an average salary between $71,000 to $123,000 per year. Those employed in rapidly evolving private space companies tend to be at the top end.
Here is a comparison of average aerospace engineer salaries by industry in Nevada:
| Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Commercial aviation | $95,000 |
| Defense aviation | $105,000 |
| Private space exploration | $115,000 |
| Government space agencies | $125,000 |
With 5+ years of experience, aerospace engineers can attain senior technical and project leadership roles, with potential salaries exceeding $140,000 annually.
Job opportunities closely trace private and public sector aerospace initiatives and budgets. Overall employment in Nevada is projected to grow by 7% over the next decade. [Source]
Entry Requirements
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Bachelor‘s degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering discipline
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Strong grasp of aerodynamics, propulsion, astrophysics and math
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Analytical skills and creativity in solving complex problems
7. Lead Developer
$109,000 to $173,000 per year
Lead developers oversee teams of software engineers to deliver high-quality applications and platforms. They manage projects end-to-end across design, development, testing, and deployment.
In Nevada, lead developers earn an average salary between $109,000 to $173,000 per year. Those leading large, complex projects with bigger teams tend to be at the top of this range.
Here is a comparison of average lead developer salaries in Nevada by team size:
| Team Size | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| 5 or less | $121,000 |
| 10 to 15 | $142,000 |
| 20 or more | $173,000 |
With strong leadership skills, lead developers can progress to executive roles like CTO or VP of Engineering, with potential salaries exceeding $250,000.
Demand for lead developers is projected to grow significantly in Nevada, with a 17% increase expected over the next decade. [Source]
Entry Requirements
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Bachelor‘s degree in computer science or related field
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5+ years combined software development and team leadership experience
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Excellent communication and project management skills
8. Software Architect
$113,000 to $178,000 per year
Software architects lead the design and technical planning of large-scale software systems and applications. They ensure optimal software structure, security, scalability, and more.
In Nevada, software architects earn an average salary between $113,000 to $178,000 per year. Those overseeing highly complex systems can earn near the top of this range.
Here is a comparison of average software architect salaries in Nevada by years of experience:
| Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| 5 to 10 years | $120,000 |
| 10 to 15 years | $156,000 |
| 15+ years | $178,000 |
Highly skilled software architects can attain executive-level roles like Chief Architect or CTO, with potential total compensation exceeding $250,000 annually.
Demand for software architects is strong in Nevada. Positions are projected to grow by 21% over the next decade, much faster than average. [Source]
Entry Requirements
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Bachelor‘s degree in computer science or related field
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10+ years combined software development and team leadership experience
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Deep technical expertise across full stack
Education Pathways to High-Paying Tech Jobs
While some tech roles only need a bachelor‘s degree, the highest paying jobs generally require or prefer candidates with a master‘s degree for key positions like:
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Data Science – Master‘s programs provide advanced analytics and machine learning skills
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Computer Science – Specialized programs produce experts in fields like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing
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Engineering – Advanced research and design skills developed in Master‘s programs
Many graduates of Nevada colleges and universities have successfully broken into lucrative tech careers at major companies:
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University of Nevada, Reno – #1 public university in Nevada for computer science
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University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Top ranked for data analytics and IT programs
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Nevada State College – Strong computer science, software engineering and information systems programs
Specialized certifications in areas like data engineering, cloud platforms and programming languages can also give job seekers a competitive edge.
Promising Future for Tech Jobs in Nevada
Fueled by continuous tech industry investment, Nevada is poised to see strong growth in high-paying tech jobs over the next decade across the roles we have covered:
- Software Developers +25% [Source]
- Biomedical Engineers +18% [Source]
- Computer Systems Analysts +27% [Source]
- Aerospace Engineers +7% [Source]
- Nuclear Engineers +9% [Source]
For job seekers looking to break into lucrative technology careers, the future looks very bright in Nevada. The state‘s expanding tech hub reputation, low taxes, and business incentives will continue attracting companies starved for talent in fields ranging from software development to aerospace engineering and more. With the right education, skills and adaptability, long-term success is achievable.