In 2026, IT salaries will still be among the highest on the job market—but “what pays best” will no longer mean “any technology, as long as it’s IT.” After the pandemic boom and the cooldown of 2022–2024, wages have stabilized, and pay premiums have begun to concentrate around a few clearly defined areas.
Below is an overview of data from 2024–2025 and a forecast of which technologies and specializations have the highest earning potential in 2026—with a focus on the Polish market, but with references to global trends.
1. How do we know what is “highest paid”?
This article is based, among others, on:
data from No Fluff Jobs on IT salaries in Poland in H1 2024
Hays Technology / IT Contracting salary reports 2024–2025 (Poland)
the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024 – “Top paying technologies” section (global median salaries by programming language)
the Dice 2024 report on the highest-paid IT skills in the US (e.g. Kubernetes, SAP HANA, Docker, Elasticsearch)
analyses of demand for IT roles in Poland in 2024–2025 (AI/ML, cybersecurity, cloud, data, quant, etc.)
current articles on salary premiums for AI and cloud skills in the US and Europe
Based on this, we outline the “here and now” and then forecast what is most likely in 2026.
2. What pays best today (2024/2025)?
2.1. Poland: top specializations and salary ranges
An analysis by No Fluff Jobs from the first half of 2024 shows that the highest median salary ranges (B2B, net + VAT) in Poland are found primarily in the following areas:
Top 5 highest-paid specializations (Poland, H1 2024):
Architecture – approx. PLN 25,200–32,500 net + VAT (B2B) – approx. PLN 20,000–25,000 gross (permanent contract / UoP)
Data & BI – approx. PLN 21,000–26,900 net + VAT (B2B) – approx. PLN 15,000–22,000 gross (UoP)
DevOps – approx. PLN 21,000–28,100 net + VAT (B2B) – approx. PLN 16,000–22,000 gross (UoP)
Security – approx. PLN 20,600–26,900 net + VAT (B2B) – approx. PLN 18,000–24,000 gross (UoP)
Mobile – approx. PLN 18,500–25,600 net + VAT (B2B) – approx. PLN 17,000–22,200 gross (UoP)
At the same time, the most in-demand roles remain Backend, Data & BI, Fullstack, DevOps, and Testing, showing that high pay is linked to real demand rather than pure niche specialization.
Hays, in its Technology Salary Guide 2025, emphasizes that despite the economic slowdown, IT salaries remain higher than in most other sectors, although some specializations have seen slight declines. At the same time, companies plan further investments in automation, cost optimization, and AI solutions, meaning specialists in these areas can expect plenty of projects and attractive rates.
2.2. Globally: the highest-paying languages and technologies
According to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024, the highest global median annual salaries (in USD) are earned by developers working with languages such as:
Erlang – approx. USD 100,636 median
Elixir, Clojure, Nim, Ruby, Perl, Scala – roughly USD 88–96k
followed by Go, Rust, Swift, Objective-C, and only later by mainstream languages such as Python, C#, TypeScript, and JavaScript.
At the same time, the Dice 2024 report shows that in the US, specific engineering skills command the highest pay—on average around USD 129–138k annually—including Kubernetes, Docker, PostgreSQL, Apache Kafka, various database technologies (NoSQL, RDBMS), PaaS, SAP HANA, and SOA.
On top of that, there is a clear premium for AI and ML skills: companies are willing to pay recruitment bonuses of up to USD 200k for AI/ML specialists, particularly in startups and Big Tech.
In Europe, we see a similar trend—for example, in the UK, median salaries for AI/ML engineers and cloud infrastructure engineers are among the highest across the entire IT industry.
3. Key trends for 2026
Based on the data above and recruitment forecasts, several stable trends emerge:
AI/ML and generative AI are not a fad, but a long-term shift in system architecture.
Cloud and platform engineering are becoming the “infrastructure for everything”—from microservices to AI systems.
Data engineering and analytics remain foundational; “data skills” are rewarded across many salary reports.
Cybersecurity continues to grow alongside regulation and the rising number of incidents.
In Poland, demand remains strong for SAP, enterprise solutions, and quant/fintech roles.
Overall IT wages are more likely to stabilize than to explode—top rates are reserved for skills that are hard to replace and scarce on the market.
4. The highest-paying technologies in 2026 – forecast
(Poland with a global perspective)
Below is a list of technology areas with the strongest potential to sit at the top of salary ranges in 2026.
4.1. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and generative AI
Why top-paying:
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global AI/ML pay premiums reaching tens or even hundreds of thousands of USD per year
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growing adoption of AI by developers (over 80% already use or plan to use AI tools at work)
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a shortage of experienced specialists who can combine AI with architecture, production systems, and security.
Key technologies (2026):
Languages and frameworks:
Python (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX, scikit-learn)
sometimes C++ / Rust for high-performance inference
Generative AI / LLMs:
API integrations (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, local open-source models)
orchestration libraries (LangChain, LlamaIndex, etc.)
vector databases (pgvector, Pinecone, Weaviate, Milvus)
MLOps / AI in production:
MLflow, Kubeflow, Vertex AI, SageMaker, Databricks, Airflow
model monitoring, feature stores, CI/CD for models
Expected rates (Poland, 2026):
experienced ML/AI engineers, MLOps engineers, LLM engineers – likely at levels comparable to today’s Architecture / Data & BI / Security roles (in Poland: approx. PLN 22–30k+ net B2B at mid+/senior level), with upside potential on international projects.
Risk:
a very high entry barrier (math, statistics, production-grade modeling); “prompt engineer” roles without solid engineering foundations are likely to lose value.
4.2. Systems architecture, cloud, and platform engineering (DevOps++)
Why top-paying:
in Poland, these are already the highest-paid categories (Architecture, DevOps)
globally, skills like Kubernetes, Docker, PaaS, RDBMS, Kafka, etc., are highly valued
companies need people who can “tie together” microservices, data, AI, and security into a coherent, scalable ecosystem.
Key technologies:
Cloud: AWS, Azure, GCP (architecture, networking, IAM, managed services)
Containerization and orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, Helm
Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, CloudFormation, Pulumi
Platform engineering: internal developer platforms, self-service, GitOps (ArgoCD, Flux)
Observability: Prometheus, Grafana, OpenTelemetry, ELK/EFK, Splunk
Forecast for 2026 (Poland):
Architects and senior platform/DevOps engineers will remain in the top end of salary ranges (PLN 25–30k+ B2B), and even higher on international projects.
The role of a “pure DevOps focused only on pipelines” may gradually be replaced by a broader platform engineer / cloud architect profile that can also communicate effectively with the business.
4.3. Data engineering and advanced data platforms
Why top-paying:
In Poland, Data & BI already ranks among the very top salary categories.
The Dice report shows that “data-related skills” are among the highest-paid competencies in the US (PostgreSQL, NoSQL, RDBMS, ETL, Kafka).
Key technologies:
Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift
Data processing:
Spark, Flink, Databricks
Apache Kafka, Pulsar, Kinesis, real-time streaming
ETL/ELT and orchestration: Airflow, dbt, Prefect
Data warehousing / lakehouse: Delta Lake, Iceberg, Hudi
2026 outlook:
A data engineer / analytics engineer with strong SQL + Python + Kafka skills and modern ELT tools will continue to compete salary-wise with AI and architecture roles—especially in companies where data translates directly into revenue (fintech, e-commerce, adtech).
4.4. Cybersecurity (especially cloud & application security)
Why top-paying:
A growing number of incidents and regulations; security is increasingly a board-level topic, not just an IT concern, which raises willingness to pay premiums.
In Poland, Security already sits near the top of pay scales (around PLN 20.6–26.9k net on B2B).
Strongest segments for 2026:
Cloud security (DevSecOps):
configuration and auditing of AWS/Azure/GCP
securing CI/CD, containers, secrets, APIs
Application security (AppSec):
code analysis, penetration testing, SAST/DAST, threat modeling
SOC / incident response with automation and AI awareness:
use of SIEM/SOAR, behavioral analytics, integration with ML tools
Outlook:
Senior and security architects will remain among the highest-paid roles, especially in regulated sectors (finance, telecom, healthcare, public administration).
4.5. SAP, ERP systems, and enterprise technologies
Why top-paying:
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A limited number of specialists relative to the size of installed systems (S/4HANA, legacy ECC, integrations).
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Very high cost of errors—financial systems, supply chains, production.
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Strong demand for S/4HANA migrations and modernization projects.
Key technologies:
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SAP S/4HANA, BW/4HANA, SAP Analytics, SAP Cloud
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ABAP, SAP Fiori/UI5, integrations (PI/PO, CPI)
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Cloud integrations (Azure/AWS) and ETL/BI tools
2026 forecast (Poland):
SAP consultants and developers—especially those with international experience—are likely to maintain very high rates, although the market is relatively narrow and less “sexy” than AI or cloud native.
4.6. Fintech and high-performance systems (C++, Rust, low latency)
Why top-paying:
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The financial sector pays a premium for low latency, reliability, and security.
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High technical difficulty (C++, Rust, optimization, networking, real-time systems).
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A small pool of engineers combining math, finance, and low-level systems expertise.
Typical technologies:
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C++ / Rust with a focus on performance
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HPC libraries, SIMD, GPU (CUDA, ROCm)
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Trading platforms, messaging (FIX, proprietary protocols), ultra-low-latency queues
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Sometimes integration with Python/R (modeling, analytics layer)
Outlook:
In Poland and Central Europe, this segment will remain niche but very well paid, especially when working with foreign financial institutions.
4.7. Mobile, IoT, and robotics – in selected niches
According to No Fluff Jobs data, Mobile is already among the top five salary specializations in Poland.
Mobile (iOS/Android):
Key technologies: Swift/SwiftUI, Kotlin/Jetpack Compose, backend integrations (GraphQL/REST, WebSockets), mobile app security
The highest-paying projects will be those close to revenue (fintech, e-commerce, gaming) and requiring advanced UX or deep native integrations.
IoT / robotics / embedded:
Technologies: C/C++, Rust, RTOS, wireless communication (BLE, Zigbee, LoRa), cloud integrations, often Python on the server side
The highest rates appear where security is critical (automotive, industrial, medtech).
Outlook:
Mobile and IoT will likely maintain high medians, but competition for the absolute top salaries (above PLN 25–30k net) will be stronger in AI, architecture, data, and security.
4.8. Niche, highly paid languages and technologies
Stack Overflow data shows that globally, the highest median salaries are earned by developers working with rare languages such as Erlang, Elixir, Clojure, Nim, Scala, Ruby, F#, Lisp—often above USD 90k annually.
In practice:
Pros: very high rates in narrow, specialist companies (telecom, distributed systems, messaging, selected fintechs).
Cons: few job offers, risk of being “locked in” to a specific employer or sector, limited mobility.
In Poland, these languages will likely remain niche, but knowledge of one of them alongside mainstream technologies (Python, Java, TypeScript, Go) can be a strong differentiator for architectural or systems roles.
5. Indicative “ranking” – which areas have the highest earning potential?
Rather than suggesting misleading precision about exact salaries in 2026, it makes more sense to group specializations into salary tiers (mid+/senior level).
Tier A – highest earning potential (Poland/EU, 2026)
AI/ML / generative AI (including MLOps, LLM engineering)
Systems architecture, cloud, platform engineering (Kubernetes, IaC, multi-cloud)
Data engineering / advanced analytics (Spark, Kafka, lakehouse, ELT)
Cybersecurity (cloud security, AppSec, incident response)
SAP / advanced ERP and enterprise systems (S/4HANA, integrations)
Fintech / low-latency C++/Rust (especially work for foreign institutions)
Tier B – high, but not absolute top medians
Mobile (iOS/Android) in revenue-adjacent sectors (fintech, e-commerce, gaming)
IoT / robotics / embedded in manufacturing and automotive
Full-stack with a strong focus on scalability, security, and AI integration
Tier C – still well paid, but more competitive
“Pure” backend (Java, .NET, Node.js) without cloud/AI/data elements
Classic frontend (React/Angular/Vue) without performance tuning, UX research, or deep backend/data integration
Being a developer in these areas still ensures solid earnings, but the technology premium will be smaller than in Tier A.
6. What to do in 2025 if you want to be in the top pay bracket in 2026?
Regardless of your starting point, a sensible strategy looks similar.
6.1. If you’re a backend / full-stack developer
Add solid cloud skills (AWS/Azure/GCP)—certifications help, but real projects matter more.
Learn Kubernetes + Terraform seriously, not just “hello world.”
Choose a path:
Architecture / platform engineering (performance, scalability, security) or
Data / AI (Python, SQL, Kafka, Spark, ML basics).
6.2. If you work in data or BI
Move from classic reporting to data engineering / analytics engineering.
Master tools like dbt, Airflow, Spark, Kafka, lakehouse.
Add basic ML—even a simple but well-built ML pipeline makes you significantly more valuable than a “pure” analyst.
6.3. If you’re in security
Move into cloud security (specific security services in AWS/Azure/GCP).
Combine classic pentesting / SOC with automation and scripting (Python, IaC, CI/CD).
Track regulations—people who combine tech and compliance are usually very well paid.
6.4. If you’re just starting out
You don’t need to “do AI” right away—start with strong fundamentals:
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one backend language (Python / Java / C#)
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SQL + web basics (HTTP, REST, JSON)
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solid understanding of Git, testing, and debugging
Only then add a Tier A specialization (e.g. data/ML or cloud/DevOps).
7. Summary
In 2026, the “highest-paying technologies” will not be a surprise:
AI/ML, cloud architecture and platform engineering, data engineering, cybersecurity, and SAP/enterprise will remain at the top.
Niche languages (Erlang, Elixir, Clojure, etc.) will still pay very well where they are used—but with limited opportunities.
Classic backend and frontend roles will remain necessary, but without additional skills (cloud, data, AI, security) it will be hard to reach the absolute top of the pay scale.
If the goal is the top 10–15% of the market in terms of compensation, the key is not just mastering a specific framework, but moving into roles close to architecture, data, AI, or security, where technical decisions directly translate into business outcomes.