Quantum computing is one of the world’s fastest growing fields and quantum computing jobs are becoming not only more available, but also increasingly more lucrative.
Both public and private investments are pushing this trend. The National Quantum Initiative, for example, which guides U.S. science agencies in quantum tech investment has made instructing training people for quantum computing jobs and for quantum-computing-related jobs a core goal for the next decade.
Workers are now asking: Where will these quantum computing careers come from? What types of quantum computer jobs are needed most? And what are quantum computing salary ranges?
Here is a list of the salary leading titles for quantum computing jobs that are in high demand by employers in both the public and private sectors.
7 Quantum Computing Jobs & Salaries
1. Quantum Physicist
Because the entire quantum computing industry relies on the complex and, often, contrarian physics of quantum nature, one of the critical quantum computing jobs is quantum physicist. Whether it is hardware or software, quantum physicists are needed to examine the underpinnings of quantum computer software, quantum computer hardware, quantum sensors and other applications in the quantum industry. Quantum computing jobs for quantum physicists include both experimentalists, theorists – and even hybrid specialists.
Because these quantum computing jobs require significant education, training and knowledge, quantum physicists can expect to start at the top range of salaries for these quantum computing jobs.
The starting salaries for a quantum physicist are anywhere between $120,000 and $170,000.
2. Quantum Computer Scientist
Quantum computer scientists are often designated as quantum computing research scientist, or quantum computer research scientists. Because each company may advertise their quantum computing job differently, this position is closely related to the quantum physicist.
However, generally speaking, quantum computer scientists are more experimentalists and tasked with helping solve problems. They use quantum theory to conduct experiments to find and test solutions.
Quantum computing scientist’s salary typically starts at $100,000 per year.
3. Quantum Cryptography Scientists
Quantum computing is predicted to affect cryptography in two ways. First, it theoretically could crack current cryptographic techniques, making quantum-safe, or post-quantum cryptographic procedures vitally important to keeping data safe. Secondly, quantum cryptography scientists could be involved in using quantum computers to keep data from being hacked in the first place.
Quantum cryptography scientists, therefore, are one of the more highly specialized quantum computing jobs and are the focus on recruitment efforts in the industry.
4. Quantum Computing Software Engineers
One critical quantum computing job is a quantum software engineer. These engineers are expected to create software that is used to run extremely complex quantum computers. Because quantum computing is different from programming classic computers, skills and knowledge of classic programming is not readily translatable to quantum programming. Quantum software engineers, like other quantum computing jobs, are rare and therefore in demand. Quantum software engineers tend to be quantum information theory experts and have a mastery of linear algebra. They should be thoroughly familiar with how to write quantum computing algorithms.
Quantum computing software engineers can expect to start in a salary range between $105,000 to $125,000.
5. Quantum Developer
There is some confusion about the difference between a quantum software engineer and a quantum developer or a quantum software developer. The truth is that it may depend on the organization or company that is looking to hire for the position. The terminology is often used interchangeably. However, a developer is often placed more on the technical side of an implementation. They develop quantum software based on designs that have already been created.
Quantum developers are also highly sought after.
You can expect salary ranges to fall slightly below a quantum software engineer, often starting in the mid-$90,000 range.
6. Quantum Software Specialist
Often, quantum computing jobs in the software segment will be focused on certain tasks of those algorithms. So, you might expect to find these positions listed as Quantum AI or Quantum machine learning developer, for example. Similarly, quantum cryptography software specialists are also needed by companies, particularly those in the security field and in industries that rely on cryptography to keep data secure, such as finance and national defense.
7. Quantum Engineer
Quantum engineers focus on the development of the quantum computers architectures, guided by quantum theory. Quantum engineers are also often involved in the development of quantum sensors.
The starting salary range for quantum engineers is between $90,000 to $100,000.
The Quantum Insider is interested in connecting talent with careers in the quantum space. We offer a jobs board and regularly partner on careers fairs, including a recent event that attracted almost 1,000 quantum job seekers. Those events are specifically aimed at hiring talent for quantum companies because it remains a significant challenge.
“In recent years, there are many more companies facing difficulties to hire specific talent. At QURECA, we provide recruitment services directly, but the success of last year’s Quantum Careers event was a clear sign that we needed to enable further connections between job seekers and quantum companies around the world”, said Dr. Araceli Venegas-Gomez, CEO of QURECA.
For more market insights, check out our latest quantum computing news here.
