10 highest paying jobs with a computer science degree
In this guide, we dive into the highest paying computer science degrees by subject, so you can see which course might be right for you.

With advancements in AI and the ever-growing need for efficient, high-quality tech worldwide, computer science graduates are in high demand.
Studying computer science can open the door to a range of fascinating and lucrative career fields. Graduates develop technical and practical skills, including coding, data analysis, research and development.
The highest paying computer science jobs often require a degree to get into the field, with graduates going into careers that range from web and software development to machine learning, robotics and data science.
This guide covers what undertaking a computer science degree involves as well as the highest paying jobs available with a computer science degree. We’ll also dive into the highest paying computer science degrees by subject, so you can see which course might be right for you.
What is a computer science degree?
Simply put, computer science is the study of computers and computational systems. A computer science degree will give you a deep understanding of both the theory and practice of computing and how it is used in the world.
Computer science covers both computer hardware and software, their uses and design, and the intersection between computing and humans.
Courses will often include practical training in coding, web development and software design. They may also consider the ethics of computing and the effect of computing on society.
You’ll get a broad and detailed knowledge of computing as a science and career pathway. Many courses also offer the chance to specialise in fields such as data science, software engineering, artificial intelligence or cyber security.
What are the top 10 highest paying jobs with a computer science degree?
Computer science graduates have many in-demand skills. Students in a computer science course will gain a deep understanding of computing as well as an excellent level of competence in data analysis, mathematics, research and problem-solving.
These skills can lead to a wide range of careers in IT and tech. Salaries for computer science graduates vary but can offer some of the highest grad salaries in the UK.
Computer science degrees offer an average starting salary of £30,975, making it the 5th highest paying degree you can take. Depending on your field of specialisation, computer science graduates can go on to make an above average salary, making it a financially lucrative career for many.
Here are ten of the highest paying jobs you can get with a computer science degree.
Data Engineer
Organisations often collect massive amounts of data and need someone to manage the raw data so it can be used effectively by a company. That’s where a Data Engineer comes in.
Data engineers design, build and maintain data systems that meet their company’s needs.
The job could include:
- Creating data pipelines that process and transfer large datasets efficiently
- Combining data from various sources into a central data system
- Ensuring data is high-quality and secure across different platforms
- Improving database performance and troubleshooting any data issues.
Average Salary: £38,000 – £61,000
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity analysts work to protect a business from cyber threats. Their role is to protect their company’s networks, software and hardware from theft, loss or unauthorised access.
A cybersecurity analyst’s job description could include:
- Monitoring for suspicious activity and responding quickly to security threats
- Developing and managing a company’s security policies
- Conducting assessments to find out where a company could be vulnerable to cyber threats
- Delivering cybersecurity awareness and data protection training for staff.
Average Salary: £30,000 – £48,000
Software Engineer
Software engineers design, develop and maintain software. They work across various platforms, including web, mobile and desktop, to create user-friendly software that solves real-world problems.
A day-to-day software engineer role includes:
- Collaborating with other teams, including engineers and project managers, to create or maintain software projects
- Writing, testing and debugging code
- Revising and optimising software code for speed and scalability
- Monitoring, running tests and issuing updates to ensure software runs as intended.
Average Salary: £37,000 – £64,000
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer
An artificial intelligence engineer creates and develops systems that use AI to solve complex problems. They could work in a range of fields in AI such as machine learning, robotics, natural language programming (NLP) or computer vision.
An AI Engineer role includes:
- Developing end-to-end AI solutions that address real-world challenges, from concept to deployment.
- Integrating AI models into applications, ensuring they perform efficiently and meet user needs.
- Working with tools and technologies, such as NLP, image recognition, robotics, and deep learning frameworks.
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to align AI solutions with business objectives.
Average Salary: £40,000 – £67,000
Machine Learning Engineer
A machine learning engineer creates and optimises algorithms that allow computers to learn from data. These AI systems can recognise patterns, solve problems and improve performance over time.
A Machine learning engineer’s role includes:
- Training models on large datasets and fine-tuning them to improve accuracy and performance.
- Collecting and preparing data to ensure it is clean, organized, and suitable for machine learning models.
- Deploying machine learning models into real-world applications and ensuring they function effectively.
- Monitoring and updating models to maintain performance and adapt to new data over time.
Average Salary: £41,000 – £74,000
Cloud Engineer
“The cloud” refers to the network of servers accessed via the internet that store, manage and process data. These servers allow people to access applications and services remotely, such as streaming services or remote file hosting.
A cloud engineer creates, maintains and troubleshoots cloud infrastructure so they run smoothly and efficiently.
A cloud engineer’s role could include:
- Designing and implementing cloud systems that meet the needs of a business.
- Monitoring and improving cloud performance to make sure it’s reliable and scalable
- Managing cloud security and putting data protection measures into place
- Troubleshooting issues so the cloud service has minimal problems and downtime.
Average Salary: £38,000 – £62,000
IT Project Manager
IT Project Managers oversee the implementation of IT systems in their organisation. They work in teams to ensure digital services or products are delivered on schedule and on budget.
Their day-to-day role includes:
- Managing IT project timelines and milestones
- Coordinating teams across different departments to ensure smooth collaboration
- Managing budgets and ensuring the project does not exceed it
- Monitoring the process of a project and reacting quickly to any issues.
Average Salary: £40,000 – £62,000
Blockchain Developer
A blockchain developer is a software developer who specialises in blockchain technology. Blockchain refers to a decentralised digital ledger that records transactions.
Blockchain developers develop decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts based on blockchain technology.
A blockchain developers role includes:
- Designing and improving blockchain protocols and architecture
- Creating smart contracts to automate processes and agreements
- Building decentralised applications (dApps) that run on blockchain platforms like Ethereum
- Ensuring secure and efficient performance of blockchain-based systems.
Average Salary: £43,000 – £82,000
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps engineer bridges the gap between software development and IT operations teams. They work across teams to improve collaboration and efficiency in the software development lifecycle.
A DevOps engineer’s role includes:
- Creating processes and systems for continuous integration, development and launching of software
- Tracking system performance and troubleshooting any issues
- Automating tasks to improve efficiency and reduce human errors
- Ensuring the security of an organisation’s software applications and infrastructure.
Average Salary: £39,000 – £62,000
Highest paying computer science degrees
Many students begin with a BA degree in computer science before going on to postgraduate studies in a specialist area. It’s also sometimes possible to begin your studies in computer science at postgraduate level from a different undergraduate discipline such as mathematics, engineering or science.
The highest paying computer science degrees include a range of specialisms, such as artificial intelligence, web development or cyber security. Specialisation allows you to deepen your knowledge of a certain area and in many cases can lead to some of the best paying jobs for computer science graduates overall.
FutureLearn offers a range of IT and computer science degrees from recognised universities that allow you to upskill and gain a degree around your other work and life commitments.
Some of the computer science degrees you can take include:
MSc Computing
An MSc Computing degree covers essential programming languages, software design methodologies, and database management.
By the end of the degree you’ll be well-versed in programming languages such as Python, Assembly, C, SQL, and C#. You’ll also have an understanding of graphical user interface (GUI) programming, computer systems, database management, and data modelling.
Graduate career paths include:
- Software Developer
- Data Scientist
- Systems Analyst
- IT Project Manager or Consultant
- Network or Database Administrator
- Cloud Solutions Architect
MSc Web Development
A MSc Web Development degree focuses on the skills needed to create web applications. You’ll gain high-level skills in responsive design and client-server architecture, tackling real-world challenges and building dynamic websites that captivate users.
The degree includes hands-on training in programming languages such as Python and JavaScript, as well as exploring the legal and ethical standards in web development.
Graduate career paths include:
- Web Developer
- Front-End Developer
- Back-End Developer
- UI/UX Designer
- DevOps Engineer
- Digital Project Manager
MSc Cyber Security
Taking an MSc in Cyber Security prepares you to tackle today’s cyber security challenges. This degree trains you to recognise cyber security threats and respond to them.
You’ll cover network and system security, ethical hacking, secure design, cryptography and risk assessment.
There are also options to specialise further with an MSc in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics or Cyber Security Management.
Graduate career paths include:
- Cyber Security Engineer
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Cyber Security Architect
- Digital Forensics Examiner
- IT Auditor
- Cryptography engineer
MSc Artificial Intelligence
A MSc Artificial Intelligence degree trains you for careers in the booming AI industry. Courses cover topics such as machine learning, robotics, data mining, systems, and project management.
An artificial intelligence degree covers both theory and practice, delving into the science behind the subject as well as practical projects to give real-time training of the work in practice.
Those interested in AI from a business perspective might prefer to specialise with a MBA in Artificial Intelligence.
Graduate career paths include:
- AI Engineer
- AI Researcher
- AI Data Scientist
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Robotics Engineer
- Software Engineer
MSC Data Analytics
An MSc in Data Analytics gives students advanced data science skills to prepare them for careers in data analytics.
The degree covers topics such as statistics, data mining, big data management, and complex data visualisation. Graduates will gain a detailed understanding of data science and how it operates in business and the wider world.
It’s also possible to specialise in certain areas of data science and analysis, for example with an MSc in MSc Data Science for Health and Social Care.
Graduate career paths include:
- Data Scientist
- Data Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Research Scientist
Why get a computer science degree?
A computer science degree offers a pathway into a range of diverse roles in the tech industry. As tech and computing continues to evolve, the industry needs high-skilled computer science graduates to contribute to this fast-paced and dynamic industry.
A degree in computer science gives graduates high-level skills in coding, data, project management and software and web development. Graduates might also specialise in fields such as data science, AI, web development or cyber security to advance their skills further.
The highest paying computer science jobs often look for applicants with a good mix of academic and practical skills. Gaining a degree in computer science allows you to learn the theory behind computing as well as practical experience in its real-world applications.
Final Thoughts
Although many computer science roles look for applicants with degrees, it’s not always easy to fit traditional studying around other work or life commitments.
FutureLearn allows you to undertake flexible, part-time degrees with leading institutions. Our range of online degrees give you an industry recognised qualification that can take your career to the next level – without the constraints of inflexible, in-person learning.
Interested in boosting your career prospects with a computer science degree? Take a look at our range of courses in IT and computer science.