1.

Java
Java is one of the most popular programming languages in use, so it’s no surprise it
came in as the No. 1 skill tech companies were looking for. According to Oracle, 3
billion mobile phones run Java, along with 125 million TV devices and 89% of desktop
computers in the U.S. Java is everywhere and the demand for strong developers is
high.

A Java developer makes a median salary of $85,000. There are many job postings
for Java developers and Java engineers, but if you want to be a software developer or
engineer of any kind, knowing this language is typically a core requirement.

2. SQL
Pronounced “sequel,” SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and it is a special-
purpose programming language used for getting information from and updating
databases. Since nearly all businesses run a database system of some kind, SQL is a
good skill to have on your resume. It’s also one of the easier tech skills to learn, with
numerous tutorials and free resources online (we like this one that lets you learn the
language while blowing up spaceships).

If you become an expert, you could be a candidate for jobs like SQL Database
Manager, SQL Developer and SQL Analyst—but a lot of general data analyst jobs will
also require you to know SQL, as it’s widely used across database applications and web
frameworks.
3. Javascript
Javascript is a scripting language, often used to make web pages interactive. It’s text-
based, written in an HTML document and run through a web browser.

There are plenty of jobs out there for JavaScript developers. Anyone looking for a job as
a front end web developer (the person who does the coding for the part of the website
you actually see, as opposed to the database or servers) will also need to know
Javascript, in addition to HTML, CSS and other scripting languages.

4. C++
C++ is a general purpose programming language that can be used to create small
programs or large applications. In 2013, C++ was CyberCoders’ most in-demand
programming language skill, and though it’s dropped to No. 4 on the annual list, don’t
count it out just yet.

As an extension of C, one of the oldest programming languages, C++ provides a

foundation for many newer, more popular ones. There are plenty of C++ developer job
postings, and it’s basically assumed that a candidate for nearly all software engineer or
developer jobs will have some experience with the language. Side note: All major
Adobe applications are developed in C++.

5. Python
Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language with an emphasis on
code readability. It’s one of the easier programming languages to learn, with its use of
common words and expressions, more white space and fewer curly brackets. It is used
by NASA and Reddit, and its web framework, Django, powers the Instagram and
Pinterest web apps.

There are many job postings looking for Python/Django developers. Companies seeking
Full stack developers (developers comfortable working with both back-end and front-
end technologies and numerous programming languages) often list Python as a
required language for candidates to have in their arsenal.