Top 5 Programming Languages You Should Consider Learning in 2022

Technology has become a massive part of our lives — to some, it has become a necessity. And when something is needed, jobs are created. Tim O’Reilly, the founder of O’Reilly Media, was right when he said, “What new technology does is create new opportunities to do a job that customers want done.”

Technical jobs have been topping the ranking for years now. And this year is no different. This 2022, the most in-demand jobs are tech jobs, and it’s not that surprising.

Many people take the signs that it’s time to change jobs or shift careers into tech and start a new journey to the tech industry. CNBC reported that 9 out of 10 employees shift careers into tech. After all, because they are needed, their jobs pay well, too! So if you’re one of the starters, knowing what programming languages to learn is essential.

CodingNomads released a top programming languages report this 2022 based on LinkedIn job postings. And here’s the top 5 of the ranking:

1. Python
2. Java
3. Javascript
4. C++
5. C#

Let’s talk and learn more about these programming languages.

1) Python

Python is a widely-used general-purpose programming language that is beginner-friendly. It was designed by Guido Van Rossum in 1991. It is less wordy, making it easier to learn, and one of the most loved languages because of its versatility, flexibility, and object-oriented features.

Despite being one of the easiest programming languages, Python is high-level and can perform complex tasks. It also takes care of everyday programming tasks, allowing programmers to focus on the core functionality of the application. It is also easier for users to keep their code base readable and maintainable because of Python’s simple and clean syntax. In fact, several tech giant companies like Google, Instagram, Netflix, Spotify, Pinterest, Reddit, and even Uber are using Python.

Here are some of the important areas Python is used for:

• Data Science.
• Machine Learning.
• Web Development.
• Game Development.
• Other areas include robotics, autonomous vehicles, business, meteorology, and graphical user interface (GUI) development.

Python Developer salary:

According to Indeed, Python developers’ average base salary is $113,260 per year in the United States and a $3,000 cash bonus per year. And in the Philippines, their average base salary is ₱58,920per month.

2) Java

Like Python, Java is a general-purpose programming language developed by James Gosling with other team members named Mike Sheridan and Patrick Naughton, also called Green Team. It was released by Sun Microsystems in 1995. It is also a platform, which means Java code can run on any machine that has a Java Virtual Machine or JVM on it.

Java is also an independent programming language that follows the logic of “Write once, run anywhere.” A programmer’s compiled code can run on all platforms as long as they support Java.

Here are some of the important areas Java is used for:

• Banking
• Retail
• Android
• Stock Market
• Big Data

Java Developer salary:

According to Indeed, Java developers’ average base salary is $105,989 per year in the United States and a $5,000 cash bonus per year. And in the Philippines, their average base salary is ₱52,311 per month.

3) JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language for Web browsers that creates a dynamic and interactive experience for all users. It supports Math calculations to dynamically add HTML contents to the DOM or Document Object Model. Javascript also creates dynamic style declarations, fetches contents from another website, and more. JavaScript enables animation, adaptive content, and form validation on the page. Without it, a website will become static and boring.

Big tech companies like Facebook (now Meta), YouTube, Yahoo!, Wikipedia, LinkedIn, Twitter, and many more and using JavaScript in their websites.

Here are some of the important areas JavaScript is used for:

• Web and mobile applications
• Game Development
• Server Applications
• Interactive user experience or UX
• AI & Machine Learning Projects

JavaScript Developer salary:

According to Indeed, JavaScript developers’ average base salary is $113,304 per year in the United States. And in the Philippines, their average base salary is ₱48,513 per month.

4) C++

C++ is most used for applications requiring high-performance image processing and real-time physical simulations. It is also the backbone of the two best databases, MySQL and Postgres.

C++ was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup, a Danish computer scientist, as an extension to the C language. It gives programmers a high level of control over system resources and memory.

Here are some of the important areas JavaScript is used for:

• Game development
• Advanced computation
• VR
• Radar processing
• Robotics

C++ Developer salary:

According to Indeed, C++ developers’ average base salary is $117,344 per year in the United States. And in the Philippines, their average base salary is ₱57,314 per month.

5) C#

Like C++, C# — pronounced as C Sharp — is an object-oriented, component-oriented programming language built by Microsoft as an extension of the C language. It is a more modern language that adopts the best features of Java and C++. It is primarily used on the Windows .NET framework but can be applied to an open-source platform.

C# was developed by Microsoft’s Anders Hejlsberg, a Danish software engineer with a history of popular creations, in the year 2000. Anders is a part of the creation of dependable programming tools and languages, which includes Microsoft’s TypeScript and Delphi, a fitting replacement for Turbo Pascal.

Here are some of the important areas JavaScript is used for:

• Game Development
• Website Development
• Back-end Services
• Windows Application
• Desktop Applications

C# or .NET Developer salary:

According to Indeed, C++ developers’ average base salary is $94,686 per year in the United States. And in the Philippines, their average base salary is ₱38,974 per month.

Choose what’s best for you!

Coming to a conclusion on what programming language to learn can be a bit hard to decide on. There might be certain factors you are considering like:

The level of difficulty to learn

Learning how to code is much like learning a new language. Considering the difficulty level of learning a language is one of the most important. You wouldn’t want to learn the hardest language and give up halfway. You’ll waste your time.

The use of the language

There might be areas in the industry you’re passionate about and would like to pursue, such as Game development or Windows applications. Considering to do what you love doing can be a great factor and motivation as you start your tech career journey.

The salary

Considering the salary of a job before changing your career is not a bad thing at all. After all, our daily needs, not just for ourselves, but for our families as well, should be provided.

No matter what the factor or factors you are considering, always do your best in research before starting your career in the tech industry. There are still a lot more programming languages that are worth learning. But whether you’re a career shifter or just starting in the tech industry, learning one of these top 5 programming languages would be a good starting point.