Landing a lucrative tech job has never been easy—but this year in particular has presented unique challenges thanks to AI’s revolution of the job market and a worsening labor market.
Some companies are using AI to boost productivity. Others are using it as a reason to slash headcount. Firms like Intel, Google, and Microsoft have cut jobs in recent months, but while their leaders haven’t solely blamed the technology, others haven’t minced words.
“We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs,” Amazon CEO Andy Jassy wrote in a recent internal memo. “In the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company.”
But there are still opportunities for workers to find success in today’s job market. Walmart, the No. 1 company on the Fortune 500 list, is on the hunt for experienced software engineers, data scientists, IT product managers, and more—with dozens of open job postings making six-figures, with some roles extending to over $300,000.
The perks and paychecks on offer at Walmart
Pickleball classes, hydromassages, and rooftop lounges.
Those are the perks you could be enjoying if you’re willing to pack your bags and move to Bentonville, Arkansas, and take a job at Walmart’s new 350-acre luxury campus.
And while the office alone might not convince you to relocate to small-town America, the retail giant is still willing to shell out high-paying salaries for competitive tech talent. Walmart is on the hunt for experienced software engineers, data scientists, IT product managers, and more.
Here’s what each can expect to earn:
- Software engineer
- Staff, software engineer: $132,000-$264,000
- Principal, software engineer: $110,000-$220,000
- Senior, software engineer: $90,000-$180,000
- Distinguished, software engineer: $156,000-$338,000
- IT product managers
- Staff, product manager: $110,000-$220,000
- Senior, product manager: $90,000-$180,000
- Principal, product manager: $110,000-$220,000
- Data scientists
- Staff, data scientist: $143,000-$286,000
- Senior, data scientist: $90,000-$180,000
- Distinguished, data scientist: $130,000-$312,000
- Principal, data scientist: $143,000-$286,000
- UX designers
- Senior UX designer: $90,000-$180,000
- Senior manager, UX design: $110,000-$220,000
- Senior, design researcher: $90,000-$180,000
- Tech directors
- Director, software engineering: $130,000-$260,000
- Group director, software engineering: $195,000-$370,000
- Director, data science: $169,000-$338,000
- Senior director, data science: $160,000-$320,000
These numbers were sourced based on Fortune analysis of active job postings, but the exact compensation package, including salary, bonus opportunities, and stock award, will likely vary by role and depend heavily on a candidate’s experience. Location, too, is a factor, with Walmart also recruiting for its satellite locations like in California and Washington.
Fortune reached out to Walmart for comment.
The secrets to landing a job in today’s rocky market
Despite this revolution, some best practices still hold true for landing a high-paying gig. But because careers are changing faster than ever, Jassy encourages Gen Z to stop worrying about what their job will look like in 10 years—and focus on finding a passion.
“I have a 21-year-old son and a 24-year-old daughter, and one of the things I see with them and their peers is they all feel like they have to know what they want to do for their life at that age,” Jassy said on the podcast, How Leaders Lead with David Novak. “And I really don’t believe that’s true.”
And it’s a practice he learned from personally; Jassy experimented in sportscasting, soccer coaching, and investment banking before landing at Amazon.
“I tried a lot of things, and I think that early on, it’s just as important to learn what you don’t want to do as what you want to do, because it actually helps you figure out what you want to do.”
For Walmart CEO Doug McMillion, one of the secrets for success is simple: raising your hand and being a team player.
“Nothing happens through the work of just an individual,” McMillon told Stanford’s Graduate School of Business this May. “We all do this together.”
