How to Research and Determine Your Market Value in Tech

Determining your market value in the tech industry is crucial for advancement.

This is especially true for those transitioning from non-tech roles who are navigating their career path in the tech sector.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re pursuing software engineering, information technology, cybersecurity, or computer science, as these job titles are just a fraction of the ones you’ll see tech companies hiring for out in the wild.

Here’s the truth: Knowing your worth enables you to negotiate better salaries, set clear career expectations, and make informed decisions at every stage of your tech career.

This guide provides actionable tips and insights on how to research and determine your value in the tech market, from entry-level to established professional. It also covers where to find accurate salary and labor data, how to interpret industry trends, and how to negotiate effectively.

How to Determine Your Tech Market Value

Start with the Basics: Conduct Tech Job Market Research

Before determining your market value, you need to understand the overall tech job market.

There are roles that have a specifically high demand, while others have average or just-above average demand. There are other industry-specific trends and regional differences in cost of living you’ll also want to account for.

Websites like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provide comprehensive data on tech job growth, average salary, median annual wage, and skills in demand for tech workers.

Leverage Salary Tools

Using salary research tools is essential for benchmarking your worth. Websites like Glassdoor, Payscale, and LinkedIn Salary provide insight into what others with your skillset are earning. Many of these platforms allow you to filter data based on your years of experience, location, and certifications.

Moreover, they show reviews about the organization and interviews for those organizations — both are invaluable if you’re looking for a new job.

- Tech Salary Research: Search by specific tech roles like software developers, data scientists, and more.

- Salary Tools: Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, Payscale, and Indeed Salary Report.

- Example: The average salary for a software developer may vary depending on location and industry, but tools like Payscale will show regional salary differences.

Focus on Certifications and Skills

The right certifications can significantly increase your market value, especially in specialized fields like cloud computing and cybersecurity.

Popular certifications including a bootcamp certification from App Academy, an AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or CompTIA Security+ validate your skills and set you apart from the competition. In fact, these certifications can increase your salary potential by 10–20%.

For example, adding an AWS certification could elevate a software developer’s average salary by $10,000 annually, while App Academy graduates net, on average, $12,000 more in their first-year annual salary after completing App Academy’s bootcamp.

Deciphering Job Descriptions to Assess Market Value

Descriptions in a job posting itself can offer a wealth of information that can help you gauge your market value. By carefully analyzing the required skills, qualifications, and experience levels mentioned in the postings, you can better align your current skill set with market demands and understand how much companies are willing to pay for those roles.

How to dive deeper:

• Look for keywords or key phrases like "in-demand skills," "preferred experience," and "competitive salary."
• Browse job boards and pay attention to patterns. For example, if multiple job descriptions mention a need for data science expertise or proficiency in AI, that skill likely commands a premium in the market.
• Use artificial intelligence, like ChatGPT, to deeper analyze descriptions for job openings more deeply or to give you an estimated range of what you can expect for the role being described.

Determine Your Market Value at Each Stage of Your Tech Career

Your market value evolves as you progress in your tech career. Here’s a breakdown of how to evaluate it at various stages.

Entry-Level (0–2 years of experience):

At this stage, your primary focus is on building a solid foundation. Entry-level roles will often emphasize basic technical skills, relevant certifications, and education. Research shows that while entry-level salaries can vary, obtaining key certifications early on can improve starting salaries by up to 20%.

- Focus on: Certifications like App Academy’s bootcamp, CompTIA A+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, or Google IT Support. A bachelor’s degree is a nice-to-have, but not necessary.

- Salary Range: Entry-level roles like junior software developers often earn between $60,000 and $80,000, depending on location and industry. Living or relocating somewhere such as California, Washington (Seattle), or New York may put you at the higher end of that salary range, but remote work is often on the table and can be a nice option for folks who are willing to forgo some monetary compensation to have the option of working from home.

Mid-Career (3–7 years of experience):

By this stage, you’ve likely gained specialized knowledge, completed several projects, and may hold leadership roles, especially at startups or other organizations where you can move up more quickly. Your years of experience become a significant bargaining tool, as does your expertise in specific technologies like machine learning, blockchain, or other areas of digital transformation.

- Focus on: Obtaining advanced certifications, expanding your portfolio, and showcasing leadership abilities.

- Salary Range: Mid-level roles typically range from $90,000 to $130,000, depending on skillset and industry demand.

Senior-Level (8+ years of experience):

As an established professional, your value is tied to both your technical expertise and strategic contributions. Senior roles often require management experience, high-level technical skills, and the ability to guide projects from conception to execution. It’s also more likely you’ve held or can look for roles at larger organizations, including Microsoft or Amazon.

- Focus on: Advanced technical skills, industry-specific leadership, and continuous learning through certifications or degrees.

- Salary Range: Senior-level professionals in specialized fields like cybersecurity or AI can command salaries above $150,000, especially in tech hubs.

Understand Industry-Specific Trends

Different sectors of the tech industry will have varying salary ranges and demands. For example, roles in AI or machine learning tend to have higher salaries due to the specialized knowledge required. Similarly, years of experience can have a dramatic impact, particularly in senior-level positions where expertise in emerging technologies like blockchain or IoT is valued.

Use Labor Market Data

Apart from salary tools, government databases like O*NET and industry-specific reports provide valuable insights. These resources can help you understand how the tech labor market is evolving, what skills are becoming obsolete, and where the biggest opportunities lie.

Know When to Negotiate

Once you’ve researched your market value, it's crucial to use this information to your advantage during salary negotiations. Start by identifying a salary range rather than a fixed number, and be ready to justify your request with data.

Negotiation Tip: Back up your salary request with industry benchmarks, highlighting your certifications, years of experience, and the demand for your role.

For example: If the average salary for a mid-level software developer in your region is $95,000, negotiate within that range but be prepared to discuss how your skills justify a higher figure.

Re-Evaluate Regularly

Your market value in tech isn't static. As you gain more years of experience, additional certifications, or specialized skills, your worth will increase. Regularly revisit salary data, especially if you are considering a job change or internal promotion. Recruiters are constantly looking to this information, too, so it’s important that you’re just as up-to-date with this information as thery are.

Learn how to advocate for your tech market value at App Academy

Determining your market value in tech is essential for maximizing your career potential, but knowing how to code is just part of the equation—advocating for your worth is equally important.

At App Academy, we don’t just teach you coding fundamentals; we also prepare you to thrive in the tech industry. Through career coaching, salary negotiation tips, and interview prep, we help you build the skills and confidence to succeed in every aspect of your tech journey.

Ready to take the next step? Learn more about how App Academy can help you launch a high-paying career in tech today!