Blockchain Career: The Ultimate Guide to Landing a Job

Cryptocurrency and blockchain careers are trending at all-time highs and the industry is growing at a rate so quickly that hundreds of job opportunities are being advertised faster than you can type up your resume. In fact, a survey performed by LinkedIn in 2020 found that blockchain skills were the most in-demand skills in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Austria among others, a trend that is likely to continue. According to Glassdoor, Blockchain-related jobs increased 300% in just one year, and the average salary for Blockchain jobs are higher than their non-blockchain related counterparts.

Whether you are interested in Blockchain gigs for the sweet paycheques, or your job is at risk of being “Blockbustered” and being lost to advancing tech or automation so you are seeking job security by being part of an emerging technology, or maybe you want to be part of the excitement of this cutting-edge technological revolution or are simply passionate about the industry and all it has to offer, there are opportunities in the Blockchain industry for everyone. This article will give you some hot tips and resources on how to seize a career opportunity in this fascinating industry.

If you are keen to learn more about landing your dream crypto job, Guy also has a fantastic video on his top tips to get a job in the crypto industry:

What is Blockchain? More Than Just Crypto

If you are brand new and haven’t been kicking around the industry for as long as some of us crusty veterans, you may be wondering what Blockchain even is. Blockchain technology's first notable use case was in the form of cryptocurrency with the introduction of Bitcoin and is the underlying technology that makes cryptocurrencies possible, but crypto is only one of the many applications of this technological innovation.

Without going into too much detail (I will link plenty of additional resources throughout the article) Blockchain is essentially a digital register of transactions. It is a technology that provides a platform that transmits digital information that cannot be edited or tampered with, and it can be completely transparent and verifiable by all parties involved to ensure trust and increase the faith of all parties.

To make Blockchain relatable and understandable I am going to borrow from a brilliant analogy that I once read that compares Blockchain Technology to an Excel Spreadsheet. The Blockchain can be thought of like a spreadsheet, but this Blockchain network is shared across many different computers all over the world, so it is like everyone on that network shares the same spreadsheet and every transaction that is performed, or information that gets generated is printed into the spreadsheet, viewable by everyone and nobody can go in and edit or manipulate any of the data that has been entered.

Another feature that contributed to the explosion of Blockchain adoption was the introduction of smart contracts, which, in very simplistic terms, are automated programs that can be executed on top of the Blockchain Network. Here is a fantastic YouTube video from Simply Explained that explains How a Blockchain Works, and another one covering Smart Contracts.

Why Should You Consider a Career in Blockchain?

Companies are Hiring for Crypto Jobs

When people consider careers in Blockchain, their first thought will often default to the financial industry. While it is true that Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain have massive utility in the financial space, firms across multiple sectors are also starting to adopt and implement this tech to meet growing and evolving business needs. The Oil and Gas industry, insurance, retail, food and beverage industry, start-up companies of many different types, tech firms, video game companies, supply chain logistics, healthcare and government agencies are all looking to adopt and utilize this tech.

Blockchain’s use cases, especially in the finance industry has been noticed by the biggest players in the space. Companies such as J.P Morgan and Wells Fargo are hiring staff with experience in Blockchain technology with recent Bloomberg and Philadelphia Inquirer articles stating that firms on Wall Street are offering to pay on average, 50% higher wages to employees that have crypto knowledge.

Companies like IBM, American Express, Mastercard, and Visa have already dove in headfirst into Blockchain tech and even McDonalds, Taco Bell and Burger King are dipping their toes in, with Amazon and Walmart also recently advertising Blockchain jobs, so regardless of what background your job experience is in, there is likely a company in your field that is adopting Blockchain in some form.

The benefits of pursuing a career in Blockchain technology are multi-dimensional. We know that the average salaries for Blockchain experts are higher, that the Blockchain industry itself is growing at an astonishing rate, outpacing many other industries and is thriving not only as a stand-alone industry, but that traditional companies are adopting the tech at a high rate, opening up positions globally and across multiple sectors. Let’s have a look at some of the roles looking for Blockchain experience:

With non-traditional Blockchain companies hiring for Blockchain positions, and many positions allowing for employees to work remotely, this has opened up positions globally, with most jobs currently available in the United States.

Technological Skills are Not a Requirement for a Career in Crypto

I know that many people feel that they are not tech-savvy enough to pursue a career in Blockchain technology and Cryptocurrency and this could not be further from the truth. I have held a few positions with Blockchain companies in the past and landed my first gig when the most technically savvy things I knew how to do were unplug my router when the internet acted up and hit control alt delete on my computer when it started acting up. The only technical advice I could give was, “have you tried turning it off then on again?”

While my technical knowledge in Blockchain and Crypto have improved substantially over the years, remember that everyone has to start somewhere so don’t let that intimidate you to the point where you feel like you can’t get involved. Heck, I remember the marketing director for one of the crypto companies I worked for had never even purchased Bitcoin and trying to explain to him how Metamask worked was like trying to teach quantum mechanics to ants, yet he was great at what he did in terms of marketing and played a vital role in the success of the team.

For those of you not so tech-savvy and not searching for blockchain developer jobs, the great news is that even non-technical jobs for Blockchain are in high demand and the salaries are still higher on average.

While of course I cannot provide a comprehensive list of every non-technical position available, and career opportunities in blockchain are only limited by your imagination for what you can come up with to capitalize on in this industry, these are some of the non-technical roles that are currently the most in-demand for the Blockchain industry and companies looking for Blockchain experienced employees.

Accountants and Financial Advisors- With many companies now choosing to pay their staff in crypto, invest in, and hold crypto on their balance sheets, the need for Accountants and Financial Advisors with knowledge in Crypto and Blockchain tech is growing at a rapid pace.

Marketers- Similar to any industry, marketing is key to boosting sales and increasing revenue. With thousands of new Blockchain-centred start-up companies and traditional companies adopting Blockchain into their business models, the need for marketers who have an understanding of Blockchain tech is on the rise.

Writers and Journalists- Hey, this one looks familiar! Crypto and Blockchain tech is growing at a head-spinning rate and the need for writers and journalists that can cover crypto content is increasing as well. With the rise of FinTech companies emerging and traditional firms and publications now also covering crypto content, writers are in high demand for getting Crypto and Blockchain content into the hands of the public.

Artists- The explosion of NFTs have created a paradise for artists in 2021. We have seen many NFTs selling for thousands or even millions of dollars, paying many artists handsomely. Though it isn’t just through NFTs that artists are making money, I blame video games and social media for giving people the attention spans of goldfish, and as a result, it is now common for many crypto articles to keep readers engaged by embedding pictures and artwork into articles, capturing readers attention through pictures and graphics to make the articles more captivating, or those YouTube thumbnails more clickable.

The further adoption of metaverses is also likely to continue the increase in demand for artists.

Research Advisors and Analysts- Just as we have always had analysts, advisors and researchers for traditional firms analysing everything from financial markets to user adoption rates, Blockchain is no different. Analysts are in high demand and are wanted to analyse and interpret things like crypto price action, price predictions, financial metrics, user adoption and so much more. Research also plays a big role when it comes to things like adoption rates, new tech, new trends and finding out about the latest ICO’s, IDO’s, and emerging projects.

Recruiters- With the rapid growth in the demand for skilled workers brings the need for recruiters to match Blockchain skilled candidates with companies needing talent resulting in Blockchain recruitment being on the rise as well.

Blockchain Legal Consultant- As Blockchain technology is quite new, the legal and regulatory landscape can be very difficult to traverse and understand. With regulations constantly changing and new rules and laws being implemented frequently, businesses need to leverage the expertise of legal consultants to help navigate the legal landscape behind this rapidly changing environment. Blockchain legal consultants will not only need the traditional skills held by those in the legal field but also have a keen understanding of international law as this technology spans borders and is being adopted globally.

Business Development Roles- Blockchain technology has brought about the launch of hundreds, if not thousands of new companies and projects. Many of the founders of these companies have the technical skills required but lack the business acumen, skills and experience needed to run a successful company and implement business development plans and processes so the need for anyone with operations or business development experience is in high demand for many start-up companies.

Customer/Technical Support- This is probably my favourite one as it is entry-level, has loads of positions available for companies who hire frequently, many of these are remote so they can be done from anywhere, and these roles are fairly easy to get with minimal initial Blockchain knowledge.

Once you have the basics of Crypto and Blockchain understood, you can apply to companies such as Binance, Kraken, Exodus, Coinbase etc, to work in a support role and this will further develop your skills and knowledge regarding blockchain, levelling up your crypto knowledge tenfold in a short period of time. There are also great opportunities for advancement and career progression.

If you are someone who is technically inclined and have an aptitude for coding, engineering, and developer positions then you are like the rockstar of the Blockchain industry, and the sky is the limit (for both opportunities and salaries).

How Working in Web3 is a Different Experience than TradFi

Working in Web3 (the decentralized web) presents a distinct set of characteristics and challenges compared to traditional finance (TradFi). Here are ten points highlighting how working in these two sectors differs:

• Decentralization vs. Centralization: Web3 operates on decentralized networks, primarily blockchain, where no single entity has complete control. In contrast, TradFi is characterized by centralized institutions like banks and governments having significant control and influence.
• Technology Focus: Web3 jobs often require a deep understanding of blockchain technology, smart contracts, and cryptocurrencies. TradFi roles, while increasingly tech-focused, still revolve around conventional financial systems and processes.
• Innovation Pace: Web3 is at the forefront of technological innovation, constantly evolving with new developments like DeFi (Decentralized Finance) and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). TradFi, while also innovative, tends to evolve at a more measured pace due to regulatory constraints and established systems.
• Regulatory Environment: Web3 operates in a relatively nascent regulatory environment, often leading to uncertainty and rapid changes. TradFi is governed by well-established regulatory frameworks, offering more clarity but also more restrictions.
• Risk and Volatility: Working in Web3 can involve higher risk and volatility, given the emerging nature of the technology and markets. TradFi, with its established history, offers more stability and predictability.
• Remote and Global Work Culture: Web3 companies often embrace a remote-first, global work culture, leveraging decentralized teams. TradFi institutions typically have more traditional, office-based environments, though this is changing post-pandemic.
• Community Engagement: Web3 places a strong emphasis on community involvement and open-source development. TradFi is more hierarchical and less community-driven in its approach to product development and customer engagement.
• Compensation Structures: Web3 compensation may include unique incentives like cryptocurrency or token allocations, which can significantly appreciate in value. TradFi compensation is usually more traditional, involving salaries, bonuses, and stock options.
• Skill Sets and Backgrounds: Web3 often values diverse skill sets and unconventional career backgrounds, with a focus on adaptability and tech-savviness. TradFi typically requires more specialized, industry-specific qualifications and experience.
• Impact on Traditional Systems: Working in Web3 often involves challenging and redefining traditional financial systems and concepts, whereas TradFi roles usually entail operating within and optimizing these established systems.

In summary, working in Web3 offers a dynamic, rapidly evolving environment with unique challenges and opportunities, contrasting with the more stable, regulated, and traditional landscape of TradFi.

Crypto Jobs: Technical Roles & Skills

For those interested in the technical side of blockchain, a thorough comprehension of blockchain architecture is crucial. This includes understanding how different blockchain platforms are designed and how they can be applied to solve real-world problems. Technical roles in blockchain call for basic software programming skills with the most common being C++, Javascript, Go, Solidity, C#, Ruby, Python and Kotlin. Knowing a programming language will be essential if you are looking at blockchain developer jobs. 

If you already know how to code and you have not already done so, it would be a great idea to build a portfolio of your work to accompany your resume when applying for developer positions to showcase your skills. If you do not already know how to code, then I would recommend drilling into some great learn to code programs (many are free!).

Great beginner to advanced coding courses can be found on sites like Udemy, Codecademy, Pluralsight, The Odin Project, Khan Academy or feel free to find another as there are dozens of free or cheap courses available that can take you from noob to coding expert in no time. If you're studying the mathematical foundations of blockchains, The Blockchain Foundations provides a crash course on how cryptography works.

When it comes to blockchain developer jobs and engineering positions, not only can skilled employees choose between companies, roles, projects, and choose between global locations or remote work, but they can also choose to specialize in one Blockchain network over another.

For example, many of these positions are held by developers who only want to focus on Bitcoin, Ethereum or Cardano etc, depending on which network they are passionate about, or they can work for exchanges or companies that provide crypto software products that may require more diverse work spanning multiple networks, or work on functions and features of a website, app or software, not even working at all with the Blockchain technology itself. Here are some resources to look into for those looking to get involved in a specific Blockchain Ecosystem:

Bitcoin.org

Ethereum.org

Cardano.org

Polkadot.network

Ripple Engineering

Hyperledger is also worth looking into for developers looking to advance their career or start out in the Blockchain industry. Hyperledger was initially conceptualized by the Linux Foundation and have collaborated closely with IBM to create a Blockchain network rivalling Ethereum as one of the largest Blockchain platforms out there.

This is a great place to start for people wanting to get involved in the supply chain, logistics, or inventory management applications that make use of the Hyperledger technology. Much of Hyperledger technology is open source and there are a lot of resources that can be found on the Hyperledger foundation website for anyone who wants to take a closer look.

Here are some of the technical Blockchain roles that are in high demand:

Blockchain/Smart Contract Developer- Blockchain developers help with the expertise needed to help companies explore Blockchain platforms and develop business solutions. This is the most commonly sought after, and least specific job role in the Blockchain industry as Blockchain developers can wear many different hats and work on essentially endless projects, most commonly creating applications for Blockchain companies or projects. Blockchain developers need to have good attention to detail, and typically work with C++, Python and Javascript.

Blockchain Solution Architect- This role is responsible for designing, assigning, and connecting Blockchain components and liaising with team experts like developers, network admins, UX Designers and IT Operations to connect everyone needed to develop and complete the Blockchain Solution.

Project Manager- Similar to the Architect but without the necessity of in-depth Blockchain technical skills, this role is responsible for connecting Blockchain projects and tasks to experts, acting as the liaison or bridge between different experts and jobs that need to be completed.

Blockchain project managers need to have the skills of traditional project managers who likely use cloud-based project management tools and have enough of an understanding of Blockchain technology to understand what solutions fit what requirements. As with any Project Manager role, Blockchain Project Managers need to have excellent communication and organizational skills.

Blockchain Engineer- This role is responsible for testing and ensuring that all the areas of the project meet the requirements before launching. As many blockchain applications can have a whole host of automation and moving parts involved, a blockchain quality engineer needs to pay close attention to detail and be thorough to ensure that every aspect of the Blockchain framework is working as expected as mistakes and delays can be costly.

Blockchain Information Security Analyst- Security is of the utmost importance when it comes to Blockchain development and implementation. This is one of the highest paying positions available with Blockchain security skills being in very high demand as every project launched will need to have certain security features implemented.

Here is a list of the top 30 companies that have posted the most Blockchain-related job vacancies:

How to Get a Blockchain Career

Up Your Skill Set and Learn About Crypto

If you do not already possess the skills needed to find a job in the Blockchain industry there are a plethora of resources to help you on your quest. My first recommendation for places to go and learn isn’t only applicable for those who want to work in the space, but I would encourage every crypto user to go through these resources to understand how crypto works a bit better as it can save users from potentially making very costly mistakes during future transactions.

You would not believe the number of crypto users who have lost thousands of dollars or more permanently, an expense that would have been avoided if they just took a few minutes to go through the free resources available on many of our favourite exchanges. Here are some great places to start building your crypto and Blockchain knowledge:

Binance Academy

Kraken Learn

Coinbase Learn

YouTube is also a fantastic place to get your fill of crypto education. While tuning in regularly to the Coin Bureau channel will provide you with plenty of useful content each week, 101 blockchains is also a great learning resource, or you can simply search anything Crypto or Blockchain related and learn all about the topic.

Once you have made it through some of those videos and articles, you should now be able to talk the talk and have an informed and intelligent Blockchain-related conversation during an interview that might be enough to land you a job in one of the non-tech roles I mentioned earlier. If you are serious and want to take your learning to the next level, there are a number of courses available online or hosted at institutions, many that provide professionally recognized certifications and qualifications in the Blockchain industry. Here is a short list I have compiled that have been highly rated and are very popular:

Coursera- Blockchain: Foundations and Use Cases Offered by Consensys Academy

Consensys Academy- Blockchain Developer Online Bootcamp

Coursera- Blockchain Specialization

Udemy- Python and the Blockchain Technology

Berkeley University of California- Blockchain Fundamentals Professional Certificate (online via edX)

Udemy- Ethereum and Solidity: The Complete Developer’s Guide

Cloud Credential Council- Blockchain Foundation Certificate

Simplilearn also has a whole host of local and online Blockchain training courses including some free Blockchain Developer courses and have partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT) to offer a Professional Certificate Program in Blockchain.

Blockchain Council offers exclusive blockchain certifications which are valid for a lifetime and are great for shining up that CV. Popular certifications offered by the Blockchain Council are:

• Certified Blockchain Expert
• Certified Blockchain Developer
• Certified Blockchain professional
• Hyperledger Certification
• Ethereum Certification
• Bitcoin Certification
• Cryptocurrency Certification

As Blockchain is becoming a massively in-demand skill, many post-secondary institutions are offering training and qualifications so if you are more of the classroom type you should check with your local educational institutions to see if they offer any programs to suit your needs as well.

Once you have some education under your belt, it is also a good idea to keep a finger on the pulse of what is happening in the Blockchain industry. Telegram can be a great place to keep up to speed, and we happen to have an article on the Top 10 Crypto Telegram Channels worth checking out. If you prefer listening to reading, consider checking out these Crypto Podcasts.

Read Books

There have been some fantastic books published that can help give you that in-depth knowledge you need for a competitive edge and develop your views and opinions on the Blockchain space as a whole. Immersing yourself in as much knowledge as possible and reading the insights and perspectives of other experts in the field is never a bad idea nor is time spent wasted. As the saying goes, “the more you learn, the more you earn,” and these crypto books provide just that kind of learning material:

Blockchain Revolution by Don and Alex Tapscott

The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains by Antony Lewis

Cryptocurrency: The Future of Money by Edward Beckett

Free books on Github:

Mastering Bitcoin

Mastering Ethereum

Networking

If you already have some experience and value to offer, don’t be afraid to get involved in the community and network with those in the space. As the saying goes, “it’s not what you know, but who you know,” so get clicking around sites like LinkedIn, join some discussion forums on sites like Reddit, and try reaching out to teams working on interesting projects, you may be amazed at what opportunities sending a simple message can open up, you could be a single message away from connecting with the right person that could land you your dream job.

Keep an eye open for events such as the annual Web Summit, Bloomberg Crypto Summit, European Blockchain Convention or other events like Polkadot, Cardano or Cosmos events for some excellent networking and prospecting opportunities.

Landing That Dream Crypto Job

Alright, now that you’ve levelled up your skills, read your crypto books and know what types of jobs you want, it is time to actually start hunting for job vacancies. Fortunately, there are a few job boards that hire specifically for positions within the Blockchain industry so you can zero in and only need to sift through the jobs that are relevant to the industry. In no particular order, here is a list of the most popular crypto-specific job websites:

Cryptojobslist.com

Crypto.jobs

Cryptocurrencyjobs.co

Coinality.com – This one is great for the true crypto enthusiast who wants to get paid in crypto.

Additionally, there are also endless numbers of crypto freelance opportunities to be found on sites like Fiverr and Upwork where you can post your skills and availability for hire, and the traditional sites like Indeed and Glassdoor are fantastic resources as well.

If working in “traditional” Blockchain roles isn’t “cutting edge” enough for you, why not take a stab at becoming one of the first people to get a job in a metaverse?

Believe it or not, there are already people securing positions as digital real estate agents for metaverses like Decentraland and the Sandbox, there is also a need for event managers, property managers and guides for these digital worlds and the Bored Ape Yacht Club have even formed a virtual band solely existing in the metaverse and they need a band manager, so your imagination is the limit when it comes to finding work in the metaverse.

Essentially, there is a good chance that many of the jobs that exist in the real world will also be needed in the metaverse, think marketing, gaming and advertising to start. Some metaverse jobs have started popping up on themetaversejobs.com.

Blockchain Careers: Closing Thoughts

This is a fantastic time to be considering a career in Blockchain technology and Cryptocurrency. Many companies across multiple sectors are seeing the potential benefits of this technology and are adopting Blockchain-based business solutions faster than ever and both commercial and retail adoption is rising faster than internet adoption did in the early ‘90s.

We are at an interesting time in this revolution where Blockchain tech and crypto are nowhere near mainstream adoption, though many businesses and government agencies with the foresight are seeing the potential in this tech and are looking to front-run the masses for a competitive edge.

This results in the scenario where we currently find ourselves in where businesses and agencies are looking to hire a higher number of skilled positions than the general workforce is skilled enough to meet, so the demand for Blockchain experienced staff is far outpacing the supply meaning there are many opportunities and high salaries up for grabs for anyone looking to get into this industry.

So, if you have the skills, the willingness to learn, or are brimming with innovation, entrepreneurial vision, passion and creativity then the sky is the limit for opportunities in the Blockchain industry. One really interesting publication by the World Economic Forum states that 65% of children in primary school will be working in jobs upon graduation that don’t even exist today, meaning that in ten years who knows what jobs will exist and what roles we will be working in so don’t be afraid to try something new and jump in because the job you land might not have even existed just a year ago.

New roles and positions revolving around this evolving tech are being created and opening all the time, just keep an eye on those job boards and crypto communities. Don’t be afraid to network with people in the industry, attend crypto events and conferences, or maybe give applying to the Coin Bureau a shot by checking out our Career Page as we are always looking for top talent in the industry. Your dream job could be a couple of clicks away.