# 5 Underground Tech Jobs Nobody Talks About (That Pay Well)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AfN5BDeVz0
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/_AfN5BDeVz0
Generated: 2026-01-30T15:55:47.582+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The five underground tech jobs discussed that pay well are Digital Forensic Examiner, Critical Infrastructure Security Engineer, Industry Cybersecurity Specialist, Drone Data Analyst, and Sales Engineer, with potential earnings ranging up to $400,000 annually, especially in federal contracting roles that require specialized industrial control system knowledge.

**Key Points:**
- Digital Forensic Examiners investigate crimes like the Casey Anthony case by tracing digital evidence, with potential starting salaries around $82,353, rising to $100,000+.
- Critical Infrastructure Security Engineers protect high-value systems like power plants and manufacturing facilities, with salaries potentially reaching $150,000 starting out, or even exceeding $400,000 annually in federal roles.
- Industry Cybersecurity Specialists focusing on industrial control systems (ICS) can earn between $113K and $195K per year, with certifications like ISA/IEC 62443 Expert being highly valuable.
- Drone Data Analysts process raw images, videos, and 3D models from drones, with typical pay ranging from $80K to $140K annually.
- Sales Engineers bridge the gap between technical products and executive decision-makers, earning between $95,000 and $200,000+ a year through base salary, commissions, and bonuses.
- The video outlines three steps to enter Digital Forensics: Build hands-on skills, get IT certified (like CompTIA Network+), and network/gain experience.
- Federal contracting roles, which often rely on this specialized workforce to secure critical infrastructure, offer high stability and potential for high earnings.

![Screenshot at 00:04: The presenter highlights a potential salary of over $100,000 a year for non-college-degree tech jobs, illustrating the financial upside of these less-publicized careers.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_AfN5BDeVz0/00-00-04.jpg)

**Context:** The video presents a list of five high-paying, yet often overlooked, technology career paths that do not necessarily require a traditional computer science degree. The presenter highlights the high demand and significant earning potential in these specialized fields, particularly those related to cybersecurity and industrial technology, contrasting them with highly competitive roles at major tech companies like Google and Meta.

## Detailed Analysis

The video details five high-paying, often overlooked tech jobs: Digital Forensic Examiner, Critical Infrastructure Security Engineer, Industry Cybersecurity Specialist, Drone Data Analyst, and Sales Engineer. The presenter emphasizes that many of these roles offer high salaries, sometimes exceeding $400,000 annually in commissions, bonuses, and stock options, even without a traditional computer science degree. The Digital Forensic Examiner role involves investigating complex cases, like the Caylee Anthony disappearance, by analyzing digital evidence, offering entry-level salaries around $82,353, potentially reaching $100,000. The Critical Infrastructure Security Engineer role is presented as vital for protecting essential services (power, manufacturing, etc.) from cyber threats, with potential earnings between $95,000 and $150,000 starting out, and even higher in government contracting where physical presence is often required. For these roles, certifications like ISA/IEC 62443 are crucial. The Industry Cybersecurity Specialist role is also highlighted, with salaries ranging from $113K to $195K, requiring certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CISSP. Drone Data Analysts process data from drones (images, video, 3D models) for industries like construction and agriculture, earning $80K to $140K. Finally, the Sales Engineer role, which focuses on communicating complex tech solutions to executives, can yield over $200,000 annually. To enter Digital Forensics, the speaker advises three steps: build hands-on skills, get certified (e.g., CompTIA Network+), and gain experience. For Drone Data Analyst roles, obtaining FAA Part 107 certification is the first step. The video concludes by promoting a free quiz to help viewers discover their ideal tech career path based on personality and skills.

### Job Examples & Salaries

- Digital Forensic Examiner ($82k–$100k+)
- Critical Infrastructure Security Engineer ($95k–$150k+ starting)
- Industry Cybersecurity Specialist ($113k–$195k)
- Drone Data Analyst ($80k–$140k)
- Sales Engineer (up to $200k+ total compensation)

### Entry Steps for Digital Forensics

- 1. Build hands-on skills
- 2. Get IT certified (e.g., CompTIA Network+)
- 3. Network and gain experience

### Critical Infrastructure Security

- Experts protect power plants, manufacturing, medical equipment, and SCADA/IoT systems; these roles are high-stakes and often cannot be outsourced.

### Drone Data Analyst Focus

- Analysts convert raw drone assets (images, video, 3D models) into actionable data, requiring FAA Part 107 certification to operate legally.

### Sales Engineer Role

- This job acts as a translator between engineers and executives, requiring strong communication skills; compensation is high due to commissions and bonuses.

### Career Stability

- Government and critical infrastructure jobs offer long-term stability compared to private sector roles that might fluctuate with market conditions.

![Screenshot at 00:01: The presenter introduces the topic by stating that not all high-paying tech jobs require a college degree.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_AfN5BDeVz0/00-00-01.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:38: A visual representation of the Caylee Anthony case evidence board illustrates the kind of digital investigation work a Digital Forensic Examiner performs.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_AfN5BDeVz0/00-00-38.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:05: A bar chart visually represents the job market gap, showing yearly job openings \(100,000\) far exceeding the current workforce \(40,000\) in the unnamed field being discussed initially.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_AfN5BDeVz0/00-01-05.jpg)
![Screenshot at 02:27: The video shows a news headline about a massive power blackout in Spain and Portugal caused by a cyberattack, demonstrating the real-world stakes for critical infrastructure security professionals.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_AfN5BDeVz0/00-02-27.jpg)
![Screenshot at 09:42: The FAA Part 107 certification badge is displayed, indicating the necessary credential for legally operating drones commercially.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/_AfN5BDeVz0/00-09-42.jpg)