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5 Blockchain Careers to Consider

Written by: University of Tulsa   •  Sep 26, 2024

A blockchain developer working on a computer at a desk.

5 Blockchain Careers to Consider

As more organizations and individuals share information virtually to do business and manage daily tasks, protecting that data has taken on increased importance. Add in bad actors on the web who aim — and often succeed — to attack, gain access to, and steal private information and money, and it’s easy to see why career opportunities in cybersecurity have skyrocketed in the last decade.

When blockchain technology was introduced in 2008, it opened up a pathway for greater security on the web, and blockchain careers took shape. Prospective cybersecurity professionals should know the potential career opportunities in this growing industry.

What Is Blockchain Technology?

At its core, blockchain is a decentralized, shared ledger of information transactions. Computer networks that interact with blockchain —much how computer networks interact with the internet — communicate with all other networks on that blockchain.

In this way, blockchain technology eliminates the security vulnerabilities of most information-sharing. Rather than there being a single source of truth for stored data and information that a malicious hacker can infiltrate, alter, and steal, there are as many sources of truth as there are networks on the blockchain. If a bad actor tries to manipulate the data in one location, it will be immediately detected as being inconsistent with the other sources of truth. The intrusion will be obvious, and, therefore, easy to eradicate.

Compare this with cybersecurity measures of the last few decades. A bad actor may have a tough time infiltrating encrypted data that’s stored in a single location, but once they’re in, they’re in — not unlike breaking into a bank vault.

Blockchain Careers: Job Outlook and Industries

Blockchain offers security on the web that’s essential to organizations and individuals safely processing, storing, and sharing information. As such, blockchain careers are expanding, along with other cybersecurity careers , much faster than the average occupation, according to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for occupations in computer and information technology (IT).

Blockchain technology applications and associated industries include the following:

  • New forms of currency exchange — blockchain careers in cryptocurrencies
  • Data security and privacy — blockchain careers in Web3 and technology
  • Traditional payment processing — blockchain careers in banking, finance, and financial technology ( fintech )
  • Medical record storage — blockchain careers in health care
  • Interconnected database storage — blockchain careers in technology

How to Become a Blockchain Professional

With so much opportunity, a master’s degree in cybersecurity can set aspiring blockchain professionals up for success in a booming industry. To become a blockchain professional, interested individuals should do the following:

  • Earn a degree in cybersecurity or a related field with coursework on:
    • Sociotechnical system security, such as malware, keylogging, and data loss
    • Defensive cybersecurity technologies and methods
    • Fundamentals of network security design
    • Applications of cryptography
  • Earn relevant certifications, such as:
    • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
    • CompTIA Security+
  • Gain entry- to mid-level experience with a:
    • Cybersecurity team
    • Information security team
    • Blockchain-focused company

When considering degree programs in IT vs. cybersecurity both are strong entry points into the larger field, but cybersecurity study generally covers more cutting-edge defensive methodologies and technologies, and IT tends to be a mix of technology and business-focused concepts.

5 Blockchain Careers: Duties, Skills, and Salary

These blockchain careers apply technical and interpersonal skills in different ways to add value to this burgeoning industry.

Blockchain Developer or Engineer

Blockchain developers are software engineers who build and maintain the structure of blockchain systems. They create applications that strengthen the distributed blockchain system they work on. They also troubleshoot and implement improvements.

Key skills include the following:

  • Proficiency in programming languages, such as Python, Java, and C++
  • Working knowledge of cryptography, which is the art of writing and solving codes
  • Understanding of decentralized systems and foundational cybersecurity concepts
  • Proficiency in web development

Payscale reports that the median annual pay for software developers in blockchain was about $159,100 as of June 2024.

Blockchain Architect

Blockchain architects set the high-level strategic direction for the design of the blockchain system. They tend to work in close collaboration with a company’s most senior IT leaders, focusing on the technical needs of the blockchain and communicating the vision to leadership.

Key skills include the following:

  • Mastery of system design
  • Collaboration and communication to work cross-functionally with business teams
  • Close familiarity with blockchain platforms, such as ethereum

Payscale estimates the median annual pay for more junior and senior architects in blockchain. The median annual pay was approximately $90,000 for solutions architects and $163,460 for more senior professionals, such as principal architects, as of June 2024.

Smart Contract Developer

Smart contracts are a specific technology embedded in blockchain that enables the shared nature of the ledger across networks. Smart contract developers are engineers who build and maintain the automation of this application so that networks can carry out the blockchain’s functionality without constant manual support.

Key skills include the following:

  • Proficiency in programming languages, such as Python, Java, and C++
  • Working understanding of the concept and applications of consensus mechanisms
  • Familiarity with cryptography

The median annual salary for a smart contract developer is between $120,000 and $180,000, according to Just Keep Carving Paths (JKCP).

Blockchain Quality Engineer

Blockchain quality engineers are akin to quality control or quality assurance professionals in other industries. They work to ensure that the blockchain product that the developers and engineers are developing is error-free and renders properly across systems.

Key skills include the following:

  • Attention to detail, critical thinking, and process-oriented mindset to follow protocols and procedures and discover mistakes
  • Proficiency in programming languages, such as Python, Java, and C++
  • Depth of knowledge in data structures and cryptography

The median annual pay for software quality assurance analysts and testers across industries was $101,800 in 2023, according to the BLS.

Cryptocurrency Risk Analyst

Cryptocurrency risk analysts often work in blockchain because crypto exchanges mostly happen via blockchain technology, though some exceptions exist. Cryptocurrency risk analysts collect and analyze information to determine the risks involved with investing in digital assets, such as cryptocurrency.

Key skills include the following:

  • Depth of skills in financial analysis and knowledge of investment principles
  • Working knowledge of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency
  • Strong quantitative analysis and reasoning
  • Interpersonal and communication skills to distill complex information and share it widely

The median annual pay for financial risk analysts, including cryptocurrency risk analysts, was $99,890 in 2023, according to the BLS. The median pay rate for these analysts in blockchain may differ.

Launch a Blockchain Career with the M.S. in Cyber Security at The University of Tulsa

The possibilities for blockchain careers are only growing. A degree such as The University of Tulsa’s online Master of Science (M.S.) in Cyber Security can help kick-start your career in blockchain, cybersecurity, and information security. Foundational coursework in system security, cyber attacks, defensive technologies and techniques, network design, and cryptography prepares students for a range of careers.

Step into the forefront of Web3 and blockchain with an online M.S. in Cyber Security from TU.

Recommended Readings

Cryptocurrency Security Explained

How to Transition to an Entry-Level Cybersecurity Job

Digital Governance: Cybersecurity Policy in Context

Sources:

CareerOneStop, Blockchain Engineers Career Video

GeeksforGeeks, “Top Career Options in Blockchain in 2024”

Just Keep Carving Paths, Smart Contract Developer Salary Statistics 2024

LinkedIn, “Career Opportunities in Blockchain and the Skills You Need”

ONet OnLine, Blockchain Engineers

Payscale, Salary for Skill: Blockchain Technology

Techopedia, “Top 16 Highest Paying Crypto & Blockchain Jobs in 2024

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer and Information Technology Occupations

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Financial Analysts

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers

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