As cryptocurrency continues to pique the interest of the
wider public, the conversation around it is evolving. Rather than
misconceptions of a dark network of criminals or talk of a Bitcoin bubble,
curiosity is becoming a genuine industry. It’s slowly sinking in that
cryptocurrency isn’t just the delusion of a bunch of nerds in T-shirts. It’s a
serious, growing industry with a ton of cryptocurrency jobs.
According to a Q1 2018 press
release from Upwork, “blockchain” is the fastest growing skill
employers are seeking. Set to be the new “cloud” of the 21st century, companies
are posting more and more cryptocurrency jobs–and there’s a shortage of talent
to fill them.
But if working remotely from a home office doesn’t thrill
you, it’s not only freelance positions up for grabs. Opportunities in this new
tech landscape abound, from knowledgeable blockchain developers to entry-level
cryptocurrency jobs. Traditional job posting sites like Indeed have also seen a
massive hike in interest–by 621
percent, in fact!
And better yet? Cryptocurrency jobs are well-paid, for the
moment at least. In fact, the average salary for blockchain jobs comes close
to $100k a
year, with the potential to make a lot more as your skills and knowledge
progress.
But, what types of cryptocurrency jobs are we talking about
and what skills do you need?
Types of Cryptocurrency Jobs
The majority of cryptocurrency jobs are unsurprisingly
allocated to developers, although there are plenty of additional roles, too.
Here is a handful of the top positions that are posted most often:
Blockchain Developer
As the cryptocurrency craze reaches fever pitch, the search
for good blockchain developers is on. And with a widening talent gap in blockchain and AI, both salaries and
demand are high.
Most blockchain developers are tasked with implementing
secure systems for their companies, developing innovative patches, ideas, and
coming up with solutions to problems.
Skills Needed:
You’ll need to be able to think outside the box and have the
courage to take the lead. Many companies hiring have little or no background in
blockchain tech. They’ll probably expect miracles from you, so be sure you can
properly manage expectations.
On a technical front, you’ll need to be or become a regular developer first. Many companies will ask for a CS degree and expect you to undergo some kind of blockchain boot camp training or take specialist blockchain courses.
Ethereum Developer
As the second biggest cryptocurrency out there and the
technology behind smart contracts, Ethereum has the
biggest community of developers by far. There are around 30 times more Ethereum
developers than on any other blockchain. A good Ethereum developer can earn as
much as $110k per
year.
Depending on where you work, whether you choose a well-known
company like ConsenSys or a blockchain startup, you’ll specialize in developing
solutions to improve Ethereum or build apps (known as DApps) on the network.
Skills Needed:
You’ll need a developer background with some knowledge or
study of regular blockchains, and then additional knowledge of Ethereum and
coding with Solidity. Many companies are offering short courses to bridge
skills gaps. ConsenSys, for example, offers courses
for developers who want to cross over to Ethereum and learn the
Solidity programming language.
Cryptocurrency Project Manager
Like any project manager, you’ll need to be able to
translate difficult concepts into plain English. You’ll be tasked with
communicating the progress of a project and ensuring that all parties stick to
deadlines and complete their work on time.
Skills Needed:
This is one of the few cryptocurrency jobs that doesn’t
require developer skills, although knowledge of concepts will certainly help.
Like most project management positions, you’ll most likely need a business related
degree and perhaps a PMI certification.
Experience in other project management roles will be useful,
especially if it’s within the blockchain arena.
Data Scientist
An experienced cryptocurrency data scientist can make north
of $120k a year. Most cryptocurrency data scientists predict cryptocurrency
prices using deep learning and AI to provide data-driven insights to their
teams.
Skills Needed:
You’ll need a ton of experience and an exceptionally large
brain to do this job, as well as a degree in CS, data science, or math.
Other Cryptocurrency Jobs
As with all industries, there are plenty of other roles related to cryptocurrency that don’t require technical skills. The list is almost endless, in fact. From public relations and sales and marketing to copywriting, consulting and design. If you’re interested in working in this field, you’ll find no shortage of cryptocurrency jobs available.