The Highest Paying, Most In-Demand Programming Languages in 2024

Are you ready to jumpstart your tech career in 2024? At Code Platoon, we ensure that our military coding students are trained in programming languages and technologies, offering both high salaries and high demand from employers. This article reflects our findings on the best-paying and highest-demand programming languages and software development tools for 2024. Whether you’re aiming for a career in full-stack software engineering or DevOps and cloud engineering, we hope these insights will help you make an informed decision.

The Top Programming Languages in 2024

Our research shows that Python and JavaScript developers continue to be in demand in 2024. These two languages are core to Code Platoon’s curriculum, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared for the job market.

• Python continues to be an essential language in the tech industry, ranking #2 in job postings and #1 in average salary. As a general-purpose language, Python is used in a wide range of domains, including back-end web development, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and automation.
• JavaScript also maintains a strong presence, ranking #3 in job postings and #4 in average salary for the second year in a row. JavaScript is the only programming language that can run natively in all web browsers, making it essential for web development.
• C# climbs to #1 in job postings but falls to #3 in average salary compared to 2023. This language continues to be popular due to its strong integration with Microsoft products and the Unity gaming engine.

Programming Languages in 2024 Ranked by Job Openings and Average Salary

1. C#: Dominating the gaming industry and Windows applications but difficult to learn.
2. Python: Essential for data science, AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and DevOps engineering.
3. JavaScript: The backbone of web application development.
4. C++: Ideal for high-performance applications, but like C# more challenging to learn than Python.
5. Java: Integral to business applications.
6. SQL: Essential for database management.
7. PHP: Maintaining relevance in web development.
8. C: Powerful, flexible, and widely used in operating systems.

Best Software Development Tools in 2024

In addition to programming languages, several key technologies are shaping the software engineering industry in 2024:

• Database Environments: PostgreSQL is the most popular database management system among professional developers for the second year in a row. This open-source database is known for its robustness and support for complex queries and transactions.
• Web Frameworks: React is the most used web framework by professional developers. It’s favored for its efficiency and flexibility in building user interfaces.
• Cloud Platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS) remains the dominant cloud platform. However, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud have both grown in adoption.
• Containerization: Docker is the most popular tool for compiling, building, and testing applications, cementing its importance in modern DevOps practices.
• Artificial Intelligence: AI tools have surged in industry adoption; 62% of software developers incorporate AI into their workflows. Despite the rapid growth in AI’s adoption, most professional developers (70%) view AI not as a threat to their jobs but as a tool to enhance their work.

What to Learn for Software Engineering in 2024

Understanding the top programming languages and technologies is crucial for navigating the tech industry. At Code Platoon, Python and JavaScript remain pivotal in our curriculum, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of today’s job market. Additionally, familiarity with technologies like PostgreSQL, AI tools, and Docker further enhances our graduates’ career prospects.

Ready to dive into these in-demand skills? Apply now to join our next cohort and position yourself for success in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

For more insights and detailed industry trends, check out the latest reports from Stack Overflow and the TIOBE Index.

Rod Levy is the Founder and Executive Director of Code Platoon. He holds undergraduate and Master’s degrees in engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he graduated with honors. Rod has completed Dev Bootcamp’s web developer program.