Help Wanted: The 6 Most In-Demand Programming Jobs in the Chicago Area

The computer programming industry continues to grow exponentially, and so has the demand for highly trained and experienced programmers.  In fact, the demand is so great, companies are finding it increasingly difficult to fill many of the open positions available today. People entering the attractive world of computer programming will not only be entering a profession that will pay you handsomely (the average salary of a computer programmer is much higher than you may think), but it can also guarantee you a lifetime career that will provide job security. Within this booming tech sector, programmers have a much greater chance of landing that great job if they have the proper knowledge of any of the highly in-demand computer programming languages.  But to get the best job, you must know which programming languages are popular and in demand by the recruiters and employers in your market.

Here at CultureFit,  we have compiled a list of the 6 best programming jobs available in the Chicagoland area based on our staffing requests over the past 12 months, giving prospective talent insight as to the languages that will best enable them to secure a great position in the computer programming industry. Ranked in order of demand, the languages are as follows:

1. Java

Java is, without a doubt, the first preferred language for most IT firms and companies because of its portability and numerous features, as well as a true Object Oriented Language used extensively in software development. Java is at the top of the list, and there are numerous openings for Java developers in the region. Java Developers are also one of the highest paid programmers in the IT sector.

2. JavaScript

JavaScript is also in high demanded by companies in our Chicagoland market, as well as the rest of the country.  JavaScript is used to develop dynamic websites, and is the most mandatory programming language for web development, including HTML and CSS. It is also simple to use, because it uses plain text to create code. Based on our staffing requests, this skill set will continue to see consistent year-over-year growth in demand.

3. SQL

SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and is a specialized programming language. It became a standard back in the mid-1980’s, and continues to be deemed a core programming competency for editing and querying data residing in relational database management systems. Most websites and businesses have databases that work behind the scene. Most of these databases rely on SQL. It is most commonly used as a Query function which searches information databases for specific results.

4. Python

Python is a general purpose high level programming language also developed in the 1980s. It is also an Object Oriented Language. Python allows programmers to express a concept in just few lines of code compared to other languages that are used. It’s in great demand today because there are so few Python developers out there, and the pay is therefore extremely good!  A great example of low supply and high demand driving the compensation scale.

5. C#/.NET

C# is relatively new to the programming language spectrum, with its first release in 2000 – an Object Oriented Language developed by Microsoft as part of its .NET initiative, and combines the features of Visual Basic and C++. It’s primarily used for iOS Application Development, but it’s also used to support Android operating systems. Considering the growth of the applications market, many software companies are looking to hire more and more app developers to further grow their business.

6. C++

Consider this programming another one of the greats coming out of the 1980’s boom – C++ is also a general purpose and Object Oriented Programming Language. It aids in developing high performance client-server applications, system software, application software, as well as many of the video games in the marketplace today! C++ has also powered major software like Adobe programs and Firefox.

Clearly the need for qualified, and specialized, developers is great. If you’re a programming developer who specializes in one of these 6 in-demand languages, and would like to discuss positions that are available in the Chicagoland area, speak with one of our IT staffing consultants at CultureFit. CultureFit is a full service Technology Staffing and recruitment firm for IT Professionals that value organizational fit, job satisfaction, and an extremely high level of technical IT skills.