What Is an IoT Specialist? Responsibilities, Salary, and How to Become One

Internet of Things, often referred to as IoT, includes technology like smart devices that perform automated tasks based on information sent through a network system via the internet. An IoT specialist is an expert in IoT solutions and technology who may complete a range of tasks, including developing software, troubleshooting errors, and taking measures to improve cybersecurity.

IoT is a growing industry. The global market revenue for IoT may reach $445.3 billion in 2025, and could triple to $934.2 billion by 2033 [1].

Discover what an IoT specialist is, your duties and responsibilities in this role, and how to begin a career in IoT. Learn the benefits of earning an IoT certification, and explore roles related to an IoT specialist.

What is an IoT specialist?

IoT specialist is a broad term that may apply to many different job titles within IoT, such as an IoT solutions engineer, IoT architect, or IoT developer, depending on your specific day-to-day duties and the industry you work in. Typically, an IoT specialist has an in-depth understanding of IoT and a passion for developing and improving IoT technology.

What does an IoT specialist do?

In your role as an IoT specialist, your daily tasks may involve developing, enhancing, securing, or troubleshooting IoT software. Typical IoT specialist duties and responsibilities may vary depending the technology you work with, such as if you work in the health care industry versus manufacturing. 

Your day-to-day tasks as an IoT specialist, developer, architect, or engineer may include:

• Developing IoT applications that control devices—such as sensors that collect information businesses use to make decisions or point-of-sale terminals banks use to detect fraud—and improving their functionality

• Meeting consumer needs by revising IoT technologies and brainstorming new solutions

• Coding and programming IoT software and firmware programs

• Creating user guides and technical support for consumers

• Making improvements and enhancements to software based on data analytics and collected feedback

• Ensuring network security by adhering to organizational protocols regarding data privacy

IoT specialist skills

As an IoT specialist, you must possess both workplace and technical skills, such as knowledge of programming languages and the ability to communicate effectively with members of teams across your organization. Explore additional skills and how they relate to your role as an IoT specialist:

Technical skills

• Software development: If you intend to develop software for IoT technology, you must have a background in software development and knowledge of popular programming and coding languages, such as Java and Python, to aid you in the development process.

• Artificial intelligence: With the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on the rise, especially in smart devices, develop an understanding of how machine learning and AI programming and analysis enhance IoT technology.

• UX design: IoT specialists in the creation and development phase of IoT will need to understand how to optimize the user experience to appeal to consumers.

• Network security: IoT specialists typically adhere to cybersecurity standards to ensure their devices protect data and other private information. 

Workplace skills

• Problem solving: As you work to create and modify IoT devices, you should know how to solve problems that may arise and troubleshoot when either fellow team members or consumers have issues.

• Communication: As an IoT specialist, working alongside other members of your team will require effective communication to create functional IoT devices. You must also remain open-minded and willing to adapt.

• Collaboration: IoT is a highly collaborative field in which many team members participate in creating IoT solutions and technology. You may work with other IoT specialists as well as cybersecurity professionals, data scientists, product designers, and others. Because of this, IoT specialists should work well with others, especially in group, participatory settings.

How much does an IoT specialist make? IoT specialist salary and job outlook

The average annual base salary for an IoT specialist is $80,329, with a range of $63,000 to $103,000 depending on your experience and other factors, such as the industry you work for [2].

Though the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t currently have job outlook data for IoT specialists specifically, many IoT roles have overlapping responsibilities with software developers. BLS reports that software developer, quality assurance analyst, and tester roles will grow by 17 percent from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than average, with approximately 140,100 job openings each year [3].

How to start a career in IoT

To become an IoT specialist or have an IoT-related role, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, though some employers prefer you pursue a master’s degree as well. You may also explore earning an IoT certification from an accredited institution or organization like CertNexus and the Global Tech Council, or a certificate in IoT from a university.

Education and training

IoT roles typically require a bachelor’s degree in a subject such as computer science or engineering to gain the skills you need. Another element of IoT is software development, so you may also explore a degree, internships, or entry-level roles in software development positions before advancing to a career in IoT.

Get certified 

In addition to earning a degree, you may consider exploring professional certifications to advance in your IoT career. A certification in IoT can add credibility to your resume by showcasing industry-specific skills to potential employers.

You may choose to explore the Certified Internet of Things Practitioner (CIoTP) certification offered by CertNexus, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of IoT. Global Tech Council offers the Certified Internet of Things (IoT) Expert (CIOTE) credential, which explores the creation and enhancement of IoT technology solutions.

Career options for an IoT specialist

If a career in IoT interests you, you might also consider roles related to an IoT specialist. Other career options may include the role of a network engineer, who, similarly to an IoT specialist, troubleshoots issues and performs upgrades on systems, or an IoT developer, whose primary responsibility focuses on creating functioning IoT software.

Some roles related to IoT specialist and their salaries include:

• IoT developer: $104,244

• IoT analyst: $78,919

• Network engineer: $102,709

• Data scientist: $113,705

• IoT project manager: $123,622

• UX designer: $84,183

• Cloud engineer: $112,039

• Data analyst: $73,786

Learn more about IoT with Coursera

IoT specialists have a strong foundational knowledge of IoT and may participate in its development, engineering, and security in various industries.

Begin your career as an IoT specialist by learning more on Coursera. Consider the AI Python for Beginners course from DeepLearning.AI where you'll have the opportunity to learn Python programming fundamentals and its integration with AI tools as you prepare for an IoT specialist role. You might also consider developing your UX design skills with the Google UX Design Professional Certificate. This eight-course series covers foundational UX concepts and the basics of UX research, as well as allows you to follow the design process that you can follow as an IoT specialist: empathize with users, define pain points, ideate solutions, create wireframes and prototypes, test and iterate on designs.