How to get a job in blockchain? A comprehensive guide by Digimagg

Blockchain is rapidly becoming mainstream in enterprise technology, leading to a surge in demand for skilled professionals in the crypto industry. While initial applications focused on crypto mining and trading, the underlying distributed ledger technology (DLT) of blockchain has vast potential to improve various business functions. Governments and traditional finance (TradFi) sectors are now embracing blockchain, creating a new sector for job seekers. However, since the technology is still relatively new, many questions arise: How does one secure a job in blockchain? What types of jobs are available? What skills and knowledge are necessary for a successful career? Where can one acquire them? And importantly, what is the average salary in this field?

Are you someone who works with blockchain technology as a developer or a user?

Although there are abundant job openings in the blockchain field, they primarily revolve around two main career tracks: becoming a developer or a user who integrates blockchain technology across different areas of responsibility.

Often, the boundaries between these roles are not strict; some developers may also deploy their blockchain applications, while some users may acquire skills to develop tools to address specific challenges.

Typically, job categories in blockchain fall into either development or business roles within most enterprise structures.

For those interested in starting a career in blockchain or leveraging it to enhance existing skillsets, the current scarcity of candidates proficient in the technology presents a promising opportunity. Salaries are currently in the six-figure range, with an average blockchain developer in the United States earning around $100,000, depending on factors like experience, location, and the hiring company.

As blockchain continues to evolve, new designs and applications emerge, creating various areas of specialization such as blockchain architecture, smart contracts development, security, and regulatory compliance. This expanding landscape is expected to lead to increased job opportunities across large firms, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), and startups. Additionally, skilled professionals may choose to establish their own blockchain-focused businesses, offering services to others or developing more efficient solutions to achieve organizational objectives.

One advantage of blockchain-related roles is the flexibility they offer in terms of employment terms, including remote work options. Many companies, as seen on platforms like FlexJobs, are open to hiring blockchain professionals remotely, with some businesses built entirely around decentralized workforces.

For those who aren't developers, there are still numerous opportunities in the crypto space, ranging from community management and UX design to marketing, compliance, and legal roles. Freelance positions and jobs that pay in cryptocurrency are also prevalent, providing further avenues for involvement in the field.

How to get a job in blockchain?

Certainly, the main challenge lies in acquiring the essential blockchain skills that are currently in demand. So, what precisely are these skills, and how can one acquire them? Corporate training firm Knowledge Hut outlines the fundamental blockchain knowledge base with five key skills:

1. Understanding blockchain architecture

To effectively work with any advanced technology, it's crucial to comprehend its underlying structure. Blockchain, rooted in the Blockchain Protocol and built on the Internet Protocol (IP), consists of nodes and links. These structures utilize various consensus tools to govern data addition and replication across the chain.

2. Proficiency in cryptography

Members of a blockchain network are equipped with wallets and keys to add new blocks and decrypt existing data. Familiarity with cryptographic solutions such as symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hash functions, and ciphering is essential for blockchain enthusiasts.

3. Knowledge of data structures

Each block in a blockchain serves as a repository for data. Ensuring universal access across diverse data formats, file types, and metadata requires interoperability within the entire chain. Moreover, accommodating multiple structures within a chain, along with interoperability between chains, necessitates adept coding around data sharing and transfer.

4. Mastery of smart contracts

Smart contracts are gaining popularity for automating verification, order processing, payments, and other business processes within blockchain. Understanding their creation and their impact on various functions within the chain is imperative for aspiring blockchain professionals.

5. Familiarity with programming languages

Even for non-developers, grasping the basics of top programming languages used in blockchain development is essential. These include C, Java, Python, and Ruby, along with their variants like C++ and Javascript. While languages closer to the machine-level, such as C and Java, are more flexible for blockchain development, other languages like C++ offer unique features like multi-threading and object-oriented capabilities. Additionally, Solidity, a language specifically designed for writing smart contracts, is worth learning.

Proof of knowledge

When aiming to secure a new job in blockchain, simply stating your understanding won't suffice; you'll need tangible proof of your knowledge. Fortunately, an array of professional certifications has emerged, covering various aspects of blockchain development and management.

One notable credential is the Certified Enterprise Blockchain Professional (CEBP) offered by 101 Blockchains. This four-week course delves into blockchain fundamentals, exploring multiple enterprise platforms, applications, and use cases.

Another popular option is the Certified Blockchain Expert (CBE) program by the Blockchain Council, which covers fundamental technologies, use cases, tokenization, mining, transactional techniques, and security. For beginners, Udemy offers Blockchain A-Z: Learn How to Build Your First Blockchain.

More specialized certifications like Blockchain Security by Internetwork Expert focus on threats facing blockchains and methods to mitigate them, including threat analysis, risk mitigation, and data safeguarding.

Numerous organizations offer training in non-fungible tokens (NFTs), cryptocurrency, and blockchain applications across various industries like finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and education.

The significant advantage of pursuing a blockchain career now lies in the technology's nascent stage and promising future. Individuals entering the field today have the opportunity to innovate in ways impossible with established tools, potentially becoming vital to any organization's core business model.

Blockchain is anticipated to synergize with artificial intelligence, fostering novel business models in the Internet of Things (IoT), Web3, and the metaverse. This positions those proficient in blockchain at the forefront of the digital economy for the foreseeable future.

While talent and determination are essential, individuals equipped with the right skills can leverage blockchain strategies to achieve remarkable feats, benefiting both organizations seeking performance enhancement and individuals navigating an increasingly digitized and automated economy.