The post was updated on May 13th, 2024
The United States IT market is one of the largest and most dynamic in the world. It's known for rapid technological advancements, a high demand for skilled professionals, and a thriving ecosystem of startups, established companies, and tech giants.
Let's delve into the state of the US IT market and discover the continued relevance and high demand for Java specialists in 2024 and beyond. Your Java skills are not just valuable, they are essential in this evolving landscape.
A Brief Overview of the US IT Market
Being home to many famous tech companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Google, and Facebook, the US offers numerous job opportunities across numerous sectors. Tech hubs like Silicon Valley attract top talent in software development, cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and more. In other words, US companies extensively seek professionals with good skills in programming languages like Java, Python, C++, and JavaScript, as well as expertise in web development, mobile app development, data analysis, AL, ML, and more.
The Most Popular Programming Languages in the US
Let’s consider the state of programming languages based on the PYPL index (analyzing how often people search for information and tutorials about specific programming languages on Google). Java is the second-most popular language in the US as of May 2024, with a slight increase (+1.3 %) in popularity compared with the previous year.
There is still a high demand for Java programmers, and this trend isn't going to change. This demand is achieved mainly due to Java's versatility. This programming language allows for the development of scalable, efficient, and secure high-performance software. Considering that the Java language plays a vital role in many AI, IoT, big data, and blockchain projects, we can state that Java will stay relevant for the years to come, helping to drive IT innovation.
With that, it's worth noting that Java constantly evolves and keeps up with tech innovations and market trends.
Scope of Java Developer Jobs in the US
As Java is a highly versatile and widely used programming language, the scope of Java developer jobs in the US is enormous. Numerous industries, including finance, healthcare, e-commerce, and others, offer many opportunities for Java developers of any skill level and experience.
According to Zippia's research, the projected growth of Java developer job openings is 13% between 2018 and 2028. The salaries of Java developers have increased by 11% in the last five years, from $78K to $88K. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average salary of Java specialists is $108,080.
That’s the contradicting nature of online data: the most popular job search websites report different statistics:
ZipRecruiter: $117.931 per year, with a low of $32.500 and a high of $161.000.
Indeed: $91.780 per year, with a low of $67.000 and a high of $125.725.
The exact salary amount depends on experience, location, and critical skills. Plus, the data from mentioned companies is based on the job openings on these platforms.
Java Developer Salaries Based on the Experience Level and Specification
It all comes down to your experience and specification. To start with the approximate salaries for Java developers of different tiers, we'd like to list the following numbers:
Junior/Entry-level Java developers typically earn from $65,341 to $85,833 per year
Mid-level Java developers can expect wages of around $100,000-$130,000 per year
Senior Java specialists are paid from $130,000 to $160,000 per year
When it comes to specifications, the most well-paid posts include:
What about remote/freelance Java developer jobs in the US? Like in most other countries, Java developer remote jobs are becoming very popular as more and more companies adopt remote work policies. The average salary for remote Java developers is around $90,000 annually, but it can vary depending on the project and the developer's experience and skill set.
What Skills Should Java Programmers Possess in 2024?
The required skills for Java developers in the US vary depending on the specific position and the company, but there are some common skills that almost all employers look for. They include:
Strong knowledge of Java programming language and related technologies.
Experience with Java frameworks such as Spring, Hibernate, and Apache Struts.
Deep understanding of object-oriented programming concepts and principles.
Strong knowledge of data structures and algorithms.
Experience with CSS and JavaScript frameworks like React or Angular.
Familiarity with Agile methodologies.
Ability to work with cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure.
Familiarity with Microservices architecture.
Experience with databases such as MySQL, Oracle, or MongoDB.
Knowledge of web services and APIs.
Good understanding of software development methodologies.
Ability to perform unit testing.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Besides tech skills, companies often look for such soft skills as communicativeness, the ability to work in a team, willingness to learn, the ability to think analytically, openness to constructive criticism, creativity, and forward thinking.
The Best Cities for Java Developers in the US
Speaking of the cities with the highest number of jobs for Java developers, these are:
San Francisco, CA. Silicon Valley has numerous technology companies that use Java as their primary programming language.
New York City, NY. Being a substantial financial and technological hub, New York offers Java developers many opportunities.
Seattle, WA. Seattle is home to many tech giants, including Amazon and Microsoft. And most of them use Java extensively.
Austin, TX. Austin is gradually becoming a central hub for startups that use Java.
Chicago, IL. Many companies in such a big city as Chicago utilize Java as their primary programming language.
Washington, DC. Known for the strong presence of government organizations that need Java-based solutions, Washington is another promising city for Java developers.
It shouldn't surprise that Java developer salaries are highest in the listed cities and states.
Getting a Java developer job without US experience can be challenging. But there are some ways to increase your chances of landing a job.
Gain relevant experience. You can gain relevant experience through apprenticeships or open-source contributions to show prospective employers that you can work on real-world projects and understand the technology.
Build a portfolio. A good portfolio can demonstrate your practical experience and impress potential employers. Include projects completed during your studies or personal projects.
Get certified. Many companies prefer applicants to have some certificates that can help demonstrate their practical knowledge. The top certifications for Java developers in the US include different kinds of Oracle certifications.
Join internship. Consider internship programs that provide on-the-job training for freshers. These opportunities can be a stepping stone to gaining practical experience and increasing your chances of getting a full-time position.
Network. Join Java developer forums and attend meetups, conferences, online Java meetings, and other events to connect with other professionals in your sphere. Networking can often lead to job referrals or insider information about openings. Participating in coding challenges and contributing to open-source projects is also good.
Visit online job portals and company websites. Explore popular job portals and company websites specializing in IT and software development. Search for fresher Java developer jobs regularly and set up job alerts to receive notifications when new opportunities arise.
Be flexible. Look for entry-level or junior Java developer jobs but be open to working as a freelancer. Also, don't neglect offerings from smaller companies or startups; they can bring you valuable experience and help you quickly climb the career ladder.
Tailor your resume and prepare well for interviews. Customize your resume for each job application and practice common Java interview questions. Once you receive an invitation, research the company you're interviewing with to understand its products, culture, and values.
Or, kill two (numerous) birds with one stone: enroll in the “Java developer profession” Bootcamp by CodeGym. There you’ll be able to:
master all tools and technologies for a stellar resume
build a powerful portfolio
get help from CodeGym Career Center to kickstart your journey in IT
Final Thoughts
Java is still at the forefront of the most trending programming languages in the US. It is used not only for desktop, mobile, and web applications but also for numerous applications in the cloud and AI sectors. That's why the future of Java developers is shaping up very positively with stable and well-paid employment.
There is still a high demand for Java programmers, and this trend isn't going to change. This demand is achieved mainly due to Java's versatility. This programming language allows for the development of scalable, efficient, and secure high-performance software. Considering that the Java language plays a vital role in many AI, IoT, big data, and blockchain projects, we can state that Java will stay relevant for the years to come, helping to drive IT innovation.
With that, it's worth noting that Java constantly evolves and keeps up with tech innovations and market trends.
