Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
1 / 32#32. Surveying and mapping technicians
- Median annual wage: $37,260
- Median hourly wage: $17.91
- Total employment: 140 people (0.52 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Highest-paying computer and engineering jobs in Winston-Salem
What do we mean when we talk about computer and engineering jobs? Well, that depends. These positions encompass various roles dedicated to new technology development and maintenance. Take software developers, who create and oversee computer programs, versus mechanical engineers, who design and build physical products, tools, and systems. However different these careers may be, though, they do have a few things in common: bachelor's degree requirements, a focus on analytical thinking, and the allure of a steady paycheck, particularly for recent college graduates.
First, the bad news—ongoing technological advancements have massively impacted these industries. As the use of artificial intelligence has exploded in the technology sector, finding an entry-level job has become increasingly difficult. LinkedIn Chief Economic Opportunity Officer Aneesh Raman noted in a May 2025 op-ed for The New York Times that artificial intelligence is decimating the "bottom rung of the career ladder" in technology, while a May 2025 report from SignalFire found that the hiring of new grads at the nation's 15 largest tech companies has dropped by more than 50% since 2019.
Yet, while the situation may seem dire, it's not all doom and gloom for computer and engineering jobs. Although these positions may be more selective than they once were, many pay far more than the country's 2024 median wages of $49,500. Those in computer and information technology occupations can expect to make a median salary of $105,990 as of 2024, while engineers earn median wages of more than $97,000.
Employment in these fields is also expected to grow at a healthy rate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an average of 356,700 new computer job openings yearly through 2033, and 195,000 new engineering job openings in the same period. Furthermore, growing interest in sustainable infrastructure and construction techniques could lead to exciting opportunities for engineers.
Though it's difficult to predict the exact future of computer and engineering jobs, those interested in these fields can at least consider one important aspect: salary. Stacker used BLS data to find the highest-paying computer and engineering jobs Winston-Salem. Jobs are ranked by their median annual pay as of May 2024, so any jobs without annual compensation figures available were excluded from this analysis.
You may also like: Highest-rated campgrounds in the Winston-Salem area by visitors
Gearstd // Shutterstock
2 / 32#31. Mechanical drafters
- Median annual wage: $53,780
- Median hourly wage: $25.86
- Total employment: 40 people (0.15 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Shift Drive // Shutterstock
3 / 32#30. Computer user support specialists
- Median annual wage: $53,930
- Median hourly wage: $25.93
- Total employment: 820 people (3.01 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Freedy // Shutterstock
4 / 32#29. Surveyors
- Median annual wage: $58,820
- Median hourly wage: $28.28
- Total employment: 50 people (0.18 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
kittirat roekburi // Shutterstock
5 / 32#28. Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- Median annual wage: $60,160
- Median hourly wage: $28.92
- Total employment: 80 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated restaurants for tacos in the Winston-Salem area by diners
Hitdelight // Shutterstock
6 / 32#27. Architectural and civil drafters
- Median annual wage: $61,350
- Median hourly wage: $29.50
- Total employment: 80 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
BELL KA PANG // Shutterstock
7 / 32#26. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
- Median annual wage: $62,300
- Median hourly wage: $29.95
- Total employment: 150 people (0.54 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Rawpixel.com //Shutterstock
8 / 32#25. Web and digital interface designers
- Median annual wage: $64,760
- Median hourly wage: $31.13
- Total employment: 100 people (0.35 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Tonhom1009 // Shutterstock
9 / 32#24. Bioengineers and biomedical engineers
- Median annual wage: $72,280
- Median hourly wage: $34.75
- Total employment: 50 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
anyaivanova // Shutterstock
10 / 32#23. Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
- Median annual wage: $74,640
- Median hourly wage: $35.88
- Total employment: 50 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Most expensive homes for sale in Winston-Salem
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
11 / 32#22. Electrical engineers
- Median annual wage: $79,920
- Median hourly wage: $38.43
- Total employment: 190 people (0.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
12 / 32#21. Computer network support specialists
- Median annual wage: $79,990
- Median hourly wage: $38.46
- Total employment: 100 people (0.37 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
PIYAWAT WONGOPASS // Shutterstock
13 / 32#20. Computer programmers
- Median annual wage: $82,680
- Median hourly wage: $39.75
- Total employment: 200 people (0.72 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
14 / 32#19. Civil engineers
- Median annual wage: $83,710
- Median hourly wage: $40.25
- Total employment: 340 people (1.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock
15 / 32#18. Network and computer systems administrators
- Median annual wage: $84,800
- Median hourly wage: $40.77
- Total employment: 440 people (1.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Movies and TV shows casting in Winston-Salem
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
16 / 32#17. Mechanical engineers
- Median annual wage: $87,970
- Median hourly wage: $42.29
- Total employment: 400 people (1.47 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
17 / 32#16. Architects, except landscape and naval
- Median annual wage: $88,820
- Median hourly wage: $42.70
- Total employment: 80 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Roman Samborskyi // Shutterstock
18 / 32#15. Software quality assurance analysts and testers
- Median annual wage: $90,490
- Median hourly wage: $43.51
- Total employment: 140 people (0.51 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
19 / 32#14. Industrial engineers
- Median annual wage: $93,030
- Median hourly wage: $44.73
- Total employment: 720 people (2.63 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
PR Image Factory // Shutterstock
20 / 32#13. Operations research analysts
- Median annual wage: $94,710
- Median hourly wage: $45.54
- Total employment: 50 people (0.19 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated Chinese restaurants in Winston-Salem
Pheelings media // Shutterstock
21 / 32#12. Statisticians
- Median annual wage: $95,390
- Median hourly wage: $45.86
- Total employment: 80 people (0.31 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock
22 / 32#11. Data scientists
- Median annual wage: $97,810
- Median hourly wage: $47.02
- Total employment: 260 people (0.95 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
23 / 32#10. Engineers, all other
- Median annual wage: $98,180
- Median hourly wage: $47.20
- Total employment: 80 people (0.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
N.Z.Photography // Shutterstock
24 / 32#9. Computer occupations, all other
- Median annual wage: $99,260
- Median hourly wage: $47.72
- Total employment: 350 people (1.28 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
25 / 32#8. Computer systems analysts
- Median annual wage: $101,830
- Median hourly wage: $48.96
- Total employment: 1,080 people (3.93 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated sushi restaurants in the Winston-Salem area by diners
DC Studio // Shutterstock
26 / 32#7. Database administrators
- Median annual wage: $105,730
- Median hourly wage: $50.83
- Total employment: 70 people (0.25 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
27 / 32#6. Computer network architects
- Median annual wage: $116,950
- Median hourly wage: $56.23
- Total employment: 180 people (0.65 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
28 / 32#5. Web developers
- Median annual wage: $120,710
- Median hourly wage: $58.03
- Total employment: 50 people (0.17 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
MinskDesign // Shutterstock
29 / 32#4. Database architects
- Median annual wage: $122,940
- Median hourly wage: $59.11
- Total employment: 110 people (0.4 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
BalanceFormCreative // Shutterstock
30 / 32#3. Information security analysts
- Median annual wage: $123,700
- Median hourly wage: $59.47
- Total employment: 360 people (1.33 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
You may also like: Highest-rated breakfast restaurants in the Winston-Salem area by diners
wee dezign // Shutterstock
31 / 32#2. Software developers
- Median annual wage: $125,140
- Median hourly wage: $60.17
- Total employment: 1,270 people (4.64 of every 1,000 jobs in the area)
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
32 / 32#1. Computer hardware engineers
- Median annual wage: $159,310
- Median hourly wage: $76.59
- Total employment: Not available
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 364 metros.
