With technology evolving at a rapid pace, programming languages need to keep up to stay relevant. Some languages have proven to stand the test of time and continue to be in high demand by employers, while others have fallen out of favor. For anyone looking to embark on a career in software development or learn new skills, it’s crucial to understand which programming languages offer the best job prospects now and in the future.
In this article, we will compare the current and future job opportunities for some of the most popular programming languages: Java, Python, JavaScript, C++, C#, PHP, and Ruby. By looking at factors like demand, average salaries, major companies using them, and ease of learning, we will determine which languages are likely to provide the best career opportunities going forward.
Current Demand and Job Openings
One of the best ways to gauge current demand for programming languages is to look at job site listings. Some of the top technology job sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Stack Overflow Jobs provide helpful data on the number of current openings for each language.
Here is a comparison of current job openings for the languages we are examining:
| Language | Current Job Openings on Indeed (Worldwide) |
|---|---|
| Java | 137,000 |
| Python | 123,000 |
| JavaScript | 111,000 |
| C++ | 28,500 |
| C# | 49,000 |
| PHP | 32,000 |
| Ruby | 13,000 |
Based solely on current worldwide job openings on Indeed, Java has a slight edge over Python and JavaScript, which are nearly neck-and-neck. C++, C#, PHP, and Ruby have significantly fewer openings in comparison.
Average Salaries
Another important factor is the average salaries for jobs requiring knowledge of each language. Higher pay usually correlates with higher demand.
Here are the average global salaries for jobs requesting each language, according to data from PayScale:
| Language | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Java | $83,500 |
| Python | $74,700 |
| JavaScript | $73,000 |
| C++ | $90,200 |
| C# | $80,000 |
| PHP | $73,500 |
| Ruby | $74,400 |
For average salary, C++ and Java developers earn the most globally, followed by C# and Python. Ruby, PHP, and JavaScript fall slightly behind the average salaries for the other languages.
Job Growth Projections
Historical data on job openings and salaries provide a snapshot of the current demand, but looking at predictions for future growth can offer insight into long-term potential. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics makes 10-year projections for demand growth for various occupations.
Here are the 2016-2026 growth projections for software developer roles requiring each language in the US:
| Language | Projected Job Growth |
|---|---|
| Java | +10% (faster than average) |
| Python | +19% (much faster than average) |
| JavaScript | +14% (much faster than average) |
| C++ | +7% (as fast as average) |
| C# | +17% (much faster than average) |
| PHP | +4% (slower than average) |
| Ruby | -9% (decline) |
For long-term outlook, Python, JavaScript, and C# are projected to have the fastest growth rates in the US market. Java also looks strong while jobs requiring PHP are expected to see below average growth. Ruby is the only language forecast to declined over the next decade.
Companies Using Each Language
Looking at major companies using each language also provides helpful insight into demand and opportunities.
Here are some of the top global companies using each language:
| Language | Major Companies Using It |
|---|---|
| Java | Google, Amazon, eBay, Uber, Netflix, Instagram |
| Python | Google, Facebook, Instagram, Uber, Netflix, Microsoft |
| JavaScript | Google, Facebook, Amazon, Meituan, Uber, Twitter, PayPal |
| C++ | Microsoft, Apple, SAP, Stock Exchanges, CISCO, Huawei |
| C# | Microsoft, Unity Technologies, Intel, PayPal, Stack Overflow |
| PHP | Facebook, Yahoo!, WordPress, Etsy, Tumblr, Yahoo!, Slack, Mailchimp |
| Ruby | Shopify, Airbnb, Medium, Kickstarter, Bloomberg, Basecamp |
Most major tech companies use Java, Python, and JavaScript in some capacity. C++ is also widely used by large global corporations. Ruby sees adoption mostly from mid-sized tech companies and startups.
Ease of Learning
How difficult is each language to learn for beginners? The easier a language is to master, the faster new developers can gain employable skills.
Here is a comparison of how beginner-friendly each language is considered:
| Language | Learning Difficulty for Beginners |
|---|---|
| Python | Easy |
| JavaScript | Easy-Moderate |
| Ruby | Moderate |
| PHP | Moderate |
| C# | Moderate |
| Java | Moderate-Difficult |
| C++ | Difficult |
Python is widely regarded as the easiest major programming language for beginners to learn. JavaScript is nearly as beginner-friendly. On the more difficult end, C++ has a very steep learning curve.
Conclusion
Based on the criteria examined, Python appears to have the best overall job prospects moving forward, with JavaScript a close second. Java also remains a language with strong demand and many opportunities. C++ lags behind in job growth projections but offers lucrative salaries. Meanwhile, jobs requiring Ruby, PHP, and C# look less promising comparatively for growth and demand.
For anyone looking to maximize their career opportunities and options in software development, learning Python or JavaScript is a smart choice. However, taking the time to deeply learn Java can also pay dividends. Overall, the future looks bright for developers proficient in one or more of these core programming languages.