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Directions that pay

• Backend and distributed systems

  The machinery behind the screen. Harder to learn, harder to replace, better paid.

• Machine learning

  The best-paid branch right now, and usually the one that expects a master's degree.

• Security

  Developers who genuinely understand attacks are rare and in permanent demand.

• Boring industries

  Insurance, logistics, healthcare and utilities pay less than famous technology firms but hire steadily and lay off less.