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The 10 Most Popular

Programming Languages to
Learn in 2021
By Brian Eastwood  |  June 18, 2020
 

INDUSTRY ADVICE (HTTPS://WWW.NORTHEASTERN.EDU/GRADUATE/BLOG/CATEGORY/INDUSTRY-ADVICE/)

COMPUTING AND IT (HTTPS://WWW.NORTHEASTERN.EDU/GRADUATE/BLOG/AREA-OF-STUDY/COMPUTING-IT/)

There’s no question that software programming is a hot career right now. The U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-
technology/software-developers.htm) projects 21 percent growth for programming jobs
from 2018 to 2028, which is more than four times the average for all occupations.
What’s more, the median annual pay for a software programmer is about $106,000,
which nearly three times the median pay for all U.S. workers.

Not all programming jobs are the same, however. Different roles, companies, and types
of software require knowing and understanding different programming languages—and
it’s often bene�cial to know multiple languages. Trying to break into the �eld of
software programming can be a daunting experience, especially for professionals with
no prior programming experience.

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Download Our Free Guide to Breaking into Computer

Science
Whether you have a technical or non-technical background, here’s what you need to
know.

DOWNLOAD NOW (https://pages.northeastern.edu/EMGLOGRADNETSTEMDEFBLOG2020-07-29COMPUTERSCIENCEEBOOK_LP.html)

The Master of Science in Computer Science Align program

(https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/program/master-of-science-in-computer-
science-align-boston-5234/) at Northeastern University is speci�cally designed for
students who want to transition into computer science from another �eld of study.

“Our aim is to transport students from a variety of different backgrounds and have them
come out as software engineers,” says Ian Gorton, PhD and director of the graduate
computer science programs at Northeastern University—Seattle
(https://www.northeastern.edu/seattle/). “We focus on math, programming, and a
variety of computer science and engineering concepts.”

Whether you’re new to programming or looking to brush up on your skills, it helps to

know which languages are in high demand. Here are 10 of the most popular
programming languages of 2020 based on the number of job postings listed on job
search site Indeed, the average annual salary for those jobs, and factors such as ease of
use and potential for growth.

Top 10 Most Popular Programming

Languages
1. Python
Number of jobs (https://www.indeed.com
/jobs?q=python+developer&l=): 19,000

Average annual salary (https://www.indeed.com

/career/python-developer/salaries): $120,000

Bene�ts: Python is widely regarded as a programming

language that’s easy to learn, due to its simple syntax
(https://www.codingdojo.com/blog/top-
7-programming-languages), a large library of standards
and toolkits (https://towardsdatascience.com/top-10-
in-demand-programming-languages-to-learn-
in-2020-4462eb7d8d3e), and integration with other
popular programming languages such as C and C++. In
fact, it’s the �rst language that students learn in the
Align program, Gorton says. “You can cover a lot of
computer science concepts quickly, and it’s relatively
easy to build on.” It is a popular programming language,
especially among startups, and therefore Python skills
are in high demand.

Drawbacks: Python is not suitable for mobile application development.

Common uses: Python is used in a wide variety of applications (https://insights.dice.com

/2019/12/04/7-programming-languages-learn-2020/), including arti�cial intelligence,
�nancial services, and data science. Social media sites (https://hackr.io/blog/best-
programming-languages-to-learn-2021-jobs-future) such as Instagram and Pinterest are
also built on Python.

2. JavaScript
Number of jobs (https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=javascript+developer&l=): 24,000

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Average annual salary (https://www.indeed.com/career/javascript-developer/salaries):

$118,000

Bene�ts: JavaScript is the most popular programming language for building interactive
websites; “virtually everyone is using it,” Gorton says. When combined with Node.js,
programmers can use JavaScript to produce web content on the server before a page is
sent to the browser, which can be used to build games and communication applications
that run directly in the browser. A wide variety of add-ons extend the functionality of
JavaScript as well. 

Drawbacks: Internet browsers can disable JavaScript code from running, as JavaScript
is used to code pop-up ads that in some cases can contain malicious content. 

Common uses: JavaScript is used extensively in website and mobile application

development. Node.js allows for the development of browser-based applications, which
do not require users to download an application.

3. Java
Number of jobs (https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=java+developer&l=): 29,000

Average annual salary (https://www.indeed.com/career/java-developer/salaries):

$104,000

Bene�ts: Java is the programming language most commonly associated with the
development of client-server applications, which are used by large businesses around
the world. Java is designed to be a loosely coupled programming language, meaning that
an application written in Java can run on any platform that supports Java. As a result,
Java is described as the “write once, run anywhere” programming language.

Drawbacks: Java is not ideal for applications that run on the cloud, as opposed to the
server (which is common for business applications). In addition, the software company
Oracle, which owns Java, charges a licensing fee to use the Java Development Kit.

Common uses: Along with business applications, Java is used extensively in the Android
mobile operating system.

4. C#
Number of jobs (https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=c%23+developer&l=): 18,000

Average annual salary (https://www.indeed.com/salaries/.net-developer-Salaries):

$97,000

Bene�ts: Microsoft developed C# as a faster and more secure variant of C. It is fully

integrated with Microsoft’s .NET software framework, which supports the development
of applications for Windows, browser plug-ins, and mobile devices. C# offers shared
codebases, a large code library, and a variety of data types.

Drawbacks: C# can have a steep learning curve, especially for resolving errors. It is less
�exible than languages such as C++. 

Common uses: C# is the go-to language for Microsoft ad Windows application

development. It can also be used for mobile devices and video game consoles using an
extension of the .NET Framework called Mono.

5. C
Number of jobs (https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=c+developer&l=): 8,000

Average annual salary (https://www.indeed.com/salaries/.net-developer-Salaries):

$97,000

Bene�ts: Along with Python and Java, C forms a “good foundation” for learning how to
program, Gorton says. As one of the �rst programming languages ever developed, C has
served as the foundation for writing more modern languages such as Python, Ruby, and
PHP. It is also an easy language to debug, test, and maintain.

Drawbacks: Since it’s an older programming language, C is not suitable for more
modern use cases such as websites or mobile applications. C also has a complex syntax
as compared to more modern languages.

Common uses: Because it can run on any type of device, C is often used to program

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hardware, such as embedded devices in automobiles and medical devices used in

healthcare. 

6. C++
Number of jobs (https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=c%2B%2B+developer&l=): 9,000

Average annual salary (https://www.indeed.com/salaries/.net-developer-Salaries):

$97,000

Bene�ts: C++ is an extension of C that works well for programming the systems that run
applications, as opposed to the applications themselves. C++ also works well for multi-
device and multi-platform systems. Over time, programmers have written a large set of
libraries and compilers for C++. Being able to use these utilities effectively is just as
important to understanding a programming language as writing code, Gorton says.

Drawbacks: Like C, C++ has complex syntax and an abundance of features that can
make it complicated for new programmers. C++ also does not support run-time
checking, which is a method of detecting errors or defects while software is running. 

Common uses: C++ has many uses and is the language behind everything from
computer games to mathematical simulations.

7. Go
Number of jobs (https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=go+developer&l=): 1,700

Average annual salary (https://www.indeed.com/salaries/developer-Salaries): $93,000

Bene�ts: Also referred to as Golang, Go was developed by Google to be an ef�cient,

readable, and secure language for system-level programming. It works well for
distributed systems, in which systems are located on different networks and need to
communicate by sending messages to each other. While it is a relatively new language,
Go has a large standards library and extensive documentation.

Drawbacks: Go has not gained widespread use outside of Silicon Valley. Go does not
include a library for graphical user interfaces, which are the most common ways that
end-users interact with any device that has a screen.

Common uses: Go is used primarily for applications that need to process a lot of data. In
addition to Google, companies using Go for certain applications include Net�ix, Twitch,
and Uber.

8. R
Number of jobs (https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=R+developer&l=): 1,500

Average annual salary (https://www.indeed.com/salaries/developer-Salaries): $93,000

Bene�ts: R is heavily used in statistical analytics and machine learning applications. The
language is extensible and runs on many operating systems. Many large companies have
adopted R in order to analyze their massive data sets, so programmers who know R are
in great demand. 

Drawbacks: R does not have the strict programming guidelines of older and more
established languages. 

Common uses: R is primarily used in statistical software products. 

9. Swift
Number of jobs (https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=swift+developer&l=): 1,800

Average annual salary (https://www.indeed.com/salaries/developer-Salaries): $93,000 

Bene�ts: Swift is Apple’s language for developing applications for Mac computers and
Apple’s mobile devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Like many modern
programming languages, Swift has a highly readable syntax, runs code quickly, and can
be used for both client-side and server-side development. 

Drawbacks: Swift can only be used on newer versions of iOS 7 and will not work with
older applications. As a newer programming language, the code can be unstable at times,
and there are fewer third-party resources available to programmers.

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Common uses: Swift is used for iOS and macOS applications. 

10. PHP
Number of jobs (https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=php+developer&l=): 7,000

Average annual salary (https://www.indeed.com/career/php-developer/salaries):

$81,000

Bene�ts: PHP is widely used for server-side web development, when a website
frequently requests information from a server. As an older language, PHP bene�ts from
a large ecosystem of users who have produced frameworks, libraries, and automation
tools to make the programming language easier to use. PHP code is also easy to debug.

Drawbacks: As Python and JavaScript have gained popularity, PHP’s popularity has
dropped. PHP is also known for its security vulnerabilities. According to Indeed, most
PHP programmers take short-term roles that last less than one year.

Common uses: PHP is the code running content-oriented websites such as Facebook,
WordPress, and Wikipedia. 

7 Other Programming Languages to

Consider
The following programming languages aren’t quite as popular as the 10 listed above, but
they are also worth considering if you’re looking to expand your programming options.

• Dart is optimal for programming applications that need to run on multiple

platforms, such as Windows and iOS. 
• Kotlin is used to develop applications for the Android OS. 
• MATLAB is a proprietary language developed by MathWorks and used for scienti�c
research and numerical computing. 
• Perl got its start for programming text, which makes it easy to learn and popular for
developing a proof of concept. 
• Ruby is losing traction as compared to other languages, but the Ruby on Rails
framework was in�uential to other, later Web application frameworks for Python,
PHP, and JavaScript.
• Rust emphasizes high performance and security and is useful for applications where
many things are happening concurrently.
• Scala, named as a play on scalable language, is compatible with Java and is useful for
cloud-based applications. 

Which Programming Language Should You

Learn?
Some programmers are able to build a career out of being an expert in one language, but
many programmers learn new languages frequently, Gorton says. It’s not uncommon for
a professional programmer to be �uent in three or four different languages, he adds.

The type of software you want to develop is one consideration for which programming
languages to learn. While there are no concrete rules for what language is used to write
what software, a few trends offer some guidance: 

• Web-based startups are more likely to be programming in Python and JavaScript.

• Larger companies tend to develop their internal software applications using C# or
Java and their Web applications using PHP.
• Programs for data analytics typically use the R and MATLAB programming
languages.
• Embedded devices, such as those in the automotive and healthcare industries, run
software written in C, C++, or Rust.
• Applications that run on the cloud are increasingly written in Go or Scala.  

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• Mobile applications are increasingly written in Swift or Kotlin.

If you’re looking to start a career in programming, the Master of Science in Computer

Science Align program (https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/program/master-of-
science-in-computer-science-align-boston-5234/) at Northeastern can help you develop
expertise and �uency with the popular programming languages that align with your
skills and interests.

(https://pages.northeastern.edu
/EMGLOGRADNETSTEMDEFBLOG2020-07-29COMPUTERSCIENCEEBOOK_LP.html)

About Brian Eastwood

Brian Eastwood is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience as a
journalist. In his career, he has covered small-town politics, enterprise information
technology, leadership strategy, and a variety of healthcare topics.

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