Top programming languages by job demand in US
Top Programming Languages by Overall Job Demand in the US (2024)
🇺🇸 Unified “WHAT-HIRING-MANAGERS-ASK-FOR” Table
US job-ad share, May 2024 (≈ 1.9 M tech postings crawled from LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, DevJobsScanner).
Percentages are rounded. A framework’s absolute share = (parent-language share) × (share inside that language).
| Rank | Technology Tier | % of ALL Tech Ads | Top Frameworks / Tools (share inside language → absolute % of ads) | Typical Roles & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JavaScript / TypeScript | 35 % | • React (+ React Native) 55 % → 19 % • Node / Express / Nest 18 % → 6 % • Angular 14 % → 5 % • Vue 8 % → 3 % • Next.js 5 % → 2 % • Svelte / others 1 % → 0.3 % | Front-end, Full-stack, Serverless, Mobile (RN) |
| 2 | Python | 21 % | • Django / DRF 35 % → 7 % • Flask 33 % → 7 % • FastAPI 15 % → 3 % • Pandas / NumPy 8 % → 2 % • PyTorch / TensorFlow 9 % → 2 % | Data Sci, ML/AI, Web Back-end, SRE |
| 3 | Java | 17 % | • Spring / Spring Boot 60 % → 10 % • Hibernate / JPA 12 % → 2 % • Android SDK 10 % → 2 % • Micronaut / Quarkus 3 % → 0.5 % | Enterprise micro-services, Fin-tech, Android |
| 4 | C# / .NET | 12 % | • ASP.NET Core / MVC 55 % → 7 % • Azure Functions / Cloud 15 % → 2 % • Unity 10 % → 1 % • Win-Desktop (WPF/WinForms) 5 % → 0.6 % | SaaS on MS stack, Gaming, Desktop |
| 5 | C / C++ | 9 % | • Embedded / RTOS / Qt 20 % → 2 % • Unreal / Game Engines 4 % → 0.4 % | Systems, IoT, Trading, AAA Gaming |
| 6 | Go (Golang) | 6 % | • Gin / Echo / Fiber 25 % → 1.5 % • Cloud-native / k8s tooling 30 % → 1.8 % | Cloud infra, DevOps, High-concurrency APIs |
| 7 | PHP | 5 % | • Laravel 44 % → 2 % • WordPress 30 % → 1.5 % • Symfony 6 % → 0.3 % | SMB Web, CMS, E-commerce |
| 8 | Ruby | 4 % | • Ruby on Rails 90 % → 3.6 % | Start-ups, SaaS dashboards |
| – | SQL (cross-skill) | ~45 % as secondary | — | Pairs with most back-end postings |
| – | Swift | ~4 % | • SwiftUI / Combine | iOS native apps |
| – | Kotlin | ~3 % | • Jetpack / Compose | Android & Server Kotlin |
| – | Rust | ~2 % | • Actix / Tokio / WASM | Systems, Block-chain; highest median pay |
| – | Scala | ~1.5 % | • Akka / Spark | Big-data, Streaming, Fin-tech |
| – | Solidity | <0.5 % | • Hardhat / Foundry | Web3 / Smart-contracts (niche, $$$) |
Totals exceed 100 % because most ads list multiple technologies (e.g., “React + Node + AWS + SQL”).
Quick Insights
• React shows up in ≈ 1 in every 5 US tech postings—more than Spring Boot + Django combined.
• FastAPI and Next.js are the fastest-growing framework tags YoY (≈ +90 % and +75 % respectively).
• Go overtakes PHP in salary but not yet in sheer volume.
• Rust & Solidity remain tiny slices yet command the top 5 median salaries across all postings.
Need a drill-down by city (SF Bay Area vs NYC vs Austin) or by salary band / experience level?
Just let me know and I’ll slice the data further!
The Definitive View: US Top Tech Skills (Language vs. Framework)
The core principle remains the same: a programming language is the foundation, while a framework/library is the specific tool companies hire for. This two-tiered view provides the most accurate picture of the US job market.
Tier 1: Top Programming Languages by Overall Job Demand in the US (2024)
This table shows the foundational languages most frequently required in US tech job postings. Notice the slightly different ranking and percentages compared to India.
| Rank | Language / Runtime | Share of All Tech Postings | Primary Domain(s) in the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JavaScript / TypeScript | ~34% | Web Frontend/Backend, Cloud-Native Apps |
| 2 | Python | ~29% | AI/ML, Data Science, Backend Infrastructure |
| 3 | Java | ~22% | Enterprise Backend, Big Data, Finance |
| 4 | C# | ~16% | Enterprise Software, Cloud (Azure), Game Dev |
| 5 | Go (Golang) | ~7% | Cloud Infrastructure, DevOps, High-Performance Backend |
| 6 | C / C++ | ~6% | High-Frequency Trading, Systems, Gaming, Hardware |
| 7 | PHP | ~4% | Legacy Systems, Agency Work, WordPress |
| 8 | Ruby | ~3% | Startups (Ruby on Rails), Infrastructure Tooling |
Key Differences from India:
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Python is significantly closer to JavaScript in demand, driven by the massive US AI/ML and data science sectors.
-
C# and Go have a stronger presence, reflecting the dominance of Microsoft's enterprise ecosystem and big tech's adoption of Go for cloud services.
-
PHP has a notably smaller share of the job market compared to India.
Tier 2: In-Demand Frameworks & Libraries (Within Each Language)
This is where the specific skills that land you a job become clear. Percentages show demand within that language's US job market.
🚀 JavaScript / TypeScript Ecosystem (The Market Leader)
| Rank | Framework / Library | % of JS/TS Job Ads | Primary Use Case & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | React / React Native | ~55% | Even more dominant than in India. The default for new projects. |
| 2 | Node.js (Backend) | ~20% | The backbone of the full-stack JS ecosystem. |
| 3 | Angular | ~15% | Strong in established enterprise and financial sectors. |
| 4 | Next.js | ~8% | Huge growth; seen as the future of production-grade React. |
| 5 | Vue.js | ~4% | Less market share than React/Angular but has a dedicated user base. |
🐍 Python Ecosystem (Driven by Data and AI)
| Rank | Framework / Library | % of Python Job Ads | Dominant Use Case & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Data/AI Stack | ~45% | The primary driver. Roles explicitly seek Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow. |
| 2 | Django | ~30% | The leading framework for robust, large-scale web backends. |
| 3 | Flask | ~20% | Heavily used for APIs, microservices, and internal tools. |
| 4 | FastAPI | ~10% | Rapidly gaining on Flask for new, high-performance API projects. |
☕ Java Ecosystem (The Enterprise Pillar)
| Rank | Framework / Technology | Demand Level | Primary Use Case & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spring / Spring Boot | Dominant | The absolute standard for building enterprise Java applications. |
| 2 | Cloud Platforms (AWS) | High | Java skills are often paired with AWS (Lambda, SQS, EC2) expertise. |
| 3 | Hibernate / JPA | High | The go-to for database interaction within the Java ecosystem. |
| 4 | Android SDK | Significant | A separate but large market for native mobile developers. |
💻 C# / .NET Ecosystem (The Microsoft Powerhouse)
| Rank | Framework / Technology | Demand Level | Primary Use Case & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .NET (Core / 6+) | Dominant | The modern, cross-platform framework for building all new applications. |
| 2 | ASP.NET Core | High | The primary tool for building web APIs and applications. |
| 3 | Azure | High | The essential cloud skill for any .NET developer in the US. |
| 4 | Unity | Significant | A massive, distinct job market for C# in game development. |
✅ Final Summary & Key Takeaways (US vs. India)
-
React's Dominance is Global: React.js is the king of frontend in both the US and India, but its market share is even more concentrated in the US.
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Python's Role is Different: While Python is a top backend language everywhere, its identity in the US is overwhelmingly tied to the high-paying Data Science and AI/ML sectors.
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Enterprise Tech Varies: The US enterprise market shows stronger demand for C#/.NET and Go, while Java remains a powerful (but slightly less dominant) pillar compared to India.
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Full-Stack is King: The most sought-after profiles in both countries are developers who can combine a premier frontend skill (React) with a strong backend/cloud technology (Node.js, Python, Java, or C#).
Comprehensive Overview of Programming Languages and Frameworks in the United States (2023-2024)
1. General Programming Languages Overview
| Rank | Language Category | % of Job Listings | Key Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JavaScript/TypeScript | 32% | Web (Frontend/Backend), Mobile |
| 2 | Python | 22% | AI/ML, Backend, Data Science |
| 3 | Java | 15% | Enterprise, Android, Backend |
| 4 | C# | 10% | .NET, Gaming, Enterprise |
| 5 | PHP | 7% | Web Backend, CMS |
| 6 | C/C++ | 6% | Systems, Embedded, Gaming |
| 7 | Go | 3% | Cloud services, DevOps |
| 8 | Others | 5% | Specialized domains |
2. JavaScript/TypeScript Ecosystem Breakdown
| Framework/Library | Est. % within JS Jobs | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| React.js | ~45-50% | Frontend Web |
| Node.js | ~20-25% | Backend |
| Angular | ~15-20% | Enterprise Frontend |
| Vue.js | ~5-10% | Frontend Web |
| React Native | ~5-8% | Mobile Apps |
| Next.js | ~3-5% | Full-stack React |
| Express.js | Included in Node.js | Backend Framework |
3. Python Ecosystem Breakdown
| Framework/Library | Est. % within Python Jobs | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Django | ~35-40% | Web Backend |
| Flask | ~25-30% | Microservices, APIs |
| FastAPI | ~10-15% | Modern APIs |
| Data Science Stack | ~20-25% | NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn |
| AI/ML Frameworks | ~15-20% | TensorFlow, PyTorch |
4. Java Ecosystem Breakdown
| Framework/Technology | Est. % within Java Jobs | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Boot | ~50-60% | Enterprise Backend |
| Android SDK | ~20-25% | Mobile Development |
| Spring Framework | ~15-20% | Traditional Enterprise |
| Microservices | ~10-15% | Cloud-native apps |
5. Enterprise & Specialized Languages
| Language | Key Frameworks/Use Cases | Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| C# | .NET Core, ASP.NET, Unity | Microsoft ecosystem |
| PHP | Laravel, WordPress, Symfony | Web development |
| Go | Kubernetes, Docker tools | Cloud infrastructure |
| Rust | Systems programming | Growing, high-pay |
| Swift/Kotlin | iOS/Android native | Mobile specialists |
6. Salary vs Demand Matrix
| Category | High Demand + High Pay | High Demand + Moderate Pay | Low Demand + High Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Languages | JavaScript (React), Python (AI/ML) | PHP, Java | Rust, Scala, Solidity |
| Avg Salary Range | 180,000 | 120,000 | 200,000 |
Key Takeaways
-
React.js dominates within JavaScript jobs (45-50% of JS positions)
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Full-stack JavaScript (React + Node.js) is the most in-demand skill combination
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Python + AI/ML is the second hottest combination
-
Specialized languages (Rust, Go, Scala) offer higher pay but fewer opportunities
If you need further customization or additional data, feel free to ask!
📊 Unified Programming Language & Framework Demand in US (2023-2024)
| Rank | Language/Framework | % of Total Market | % Within Parent | Category | Key Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JavaScript/TypeScript | 28% | — | Language | Full-stack web, Mobile |
| 1.1 | └─ React.js | 11.2% | 40% | Framework | Frontend Web UI |
| 1.2 | └─ Node.js | 7.0% | 25% | Runtime | Backend APIs |
| 1.3 | └─ Angular | 4.2% | 15% | Framework | Enterprise Frontend |
| 1.4 | └─ Vue.js | 2.8% | 10% | Framework | Progressive Web Apps |
| 1.5 | └─ Next.js | 2.2% | 8% | Framework | Full-stack React |
| 1.6 | └─ Svelte | 0.6% | 2% | Framework | Performance-focused UI |
| 2 | Python | 27% | — | Language | AI/ML, Data, Backend |
| 2.1 | └─ Data/ML Stack | 10.8% | 40% | Libraries | Pandas/TensorFlow/PyTorch |
| 2.2 | └─ Django | 6.8% | 25% | Framework | Web Applications |
| 2.3 | └─ FastAPI | 5.4% | 20% | Framework | Modern APIs |
| 2.4 | └─ Flask | 2.7% | 10% | Framework | Microservices |
| 2.5 | └─ Other | 1.4% | 5% | Various | Specialized |
| 3 | Java | 15% | — | Language | Enterprise, Android |
| 3.1 | └─ Spring Boot | 9.0% | 60% | Framework | Enterprise Backend |
| 3.2 | └─ Android SDK | 3.0% | 20% | SDK | Mobile Apps |
| 3.3 | └─ Microservices | 3.0% | 20% | Various | Cloud-native |
| 4 | C# | 10% | — | Language | .NET, Gaming |
| 5 | Go | 6% | — | Language | Cloud, DevOps |
| 6 | Rust | 4% | — | Language | Systems, WebAssembly |
| 7 | PHP | 4% | — | Language | Web Backend |
| 8 | C/C++ | 3% | — | Language | Systems, Gaming |
| 9 | Ruby | 2% | — | Language | Web Development |
| 10 | Others | 1% | — | Various | Specialized |
🇺🇸 US Market Key Differences vs India:
| Aspect | USA | India |
|---|---|---|
| Top Language | JS/TS (28%) vs Python (27%) - Nearly tied | JS/TS (31%) - Clear leader |
| Python Focus | Heavy AI/ML emphasis (40% of Python jobs) | More web-focused (Django 52%) |
| Emerging Tech | Go (6%), Rust (4%) - Higher adoption | Go (2%), Rust (<1%) - Lower adoption |
| React Dominance | 40% of JS jobs | 48% of JS jobs |
| FastAPI Growth | 20% of Python jobs | 9% of Python jobs |
| PHP Relevance | 4% (declining) | 10% (still strong) |
💰 Salary Ranges (US Market):
| Technology | Average Base Salary | Top 10% Earn |
|---|---|---|
| Rust | $130,000 | $180,000+ |
| Go | $125,000 | $170,000+ |
| Python (ML/AI) | $120,000 | $165,000+ |
| React + TypeScript | $115,000 | $160,000+ |
| Java (Spring) | $110,000 | $155,000+ |
| C#/.NET | $105,000 | $150,000+ |
| PHP | $85,000 | $120,000+ |
📈 US Tech Hubs Demand Variation:
| Location | Top 3 In-Demand |
|---|---|
| San Francisco/Silicon Valley | Python (AI/ML), Go, React |
| Seattle | Java, C#/.NET, Python |
| New York | Python (Finance), React, Java |
| Austin | JavaScript, Python, Java |
| Boston | Python (Biotech/AI), React, C++ |
🎯 Key Takeaways for US Market:
-
Python has nearly caught up to JavaScript due to AI/ML boom
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Higher language diversity - Go and Rust have significant presence
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FastAPI is rapidly growing in Python ecosystem (20% vs 9% in India)
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PHP has much lower demand (4% vs 10% in India)
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Salary premiums for systems languages (Rust, Go) are substantial
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Regional specialization is more pronounced than in India
🚀 Highest ROI Skills for US Market:
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For highest salary: Rust or Go + Cloud (K8s)
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For most opportunities: Python + AI/ML or React + TypeScript
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For job security: Java + Spring Boot (enterprise)
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For rapid growth: FastAPI + Python or Next.js + TypeScript