With more than 200 programming languages out there, picking the right one can be a bit daunting—especially if you're aiming for a lucrative career in tech. At GEEKSHELP, we’re all about making informed choices. That’s why we’ve tapped into insights from DevJobsScanner, who analyzed over 10 million developer jobs from September 2023 to December 2024— to showcase the highest-paying programming languages in the United States.
.png "Highest Paying Programming Languages in USA")
From a pool of 1.5 million jobs with salary information, around 142,000 listings were based in the U.S. and specifically mentioned programming languages in the job title.
🏆 1. Solidity
Solidity is leading the pack in 2024! With the blockchain and Web3 sectors thriving, the need for smart contract developers is through the roof. Since it's a specialized skill with a limited pool of qualified experts, Solidity developers are earning top dollar.
🥈 2. Rust
💵 Average Salary: $140,000/year
📈 Salary Range: Up to $500K/year
📍 Jobs Found (US): 309
Rust has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to its focus on memory safety and support for concurrency. It's become a favorite for performance-sensitive applications and blockchain platforms like Solana.
🥉 3. ABAP
💵 Average Salary: $137,000/year
📈 Salary Median: $132,000/year
📍 Jobs Found (US): 239
ABAP remains a key player in SAP enterprise environments. If you're working in the ERP space, getting a handle on ABAP could really pay off.
4. Bash
💵 Average Salary: $133,000/year
📍 Jobs Found (US): 369
Bash scripting is a key player in DevOps, system administration, and automation. It’s where simplicity meets power.
5. C/C++
💵 Average Salary: $132,000/year
📍 Jobs Found (US): 4,000
C/C++ is still a cornerstone in systems programming and embedded systems, making it a valuable and sought-after skill set.
6. Scala
💵 Average Salary: $131,000/year
📍 Jobs Found (US): 848
Thanks to its robust type system and seamless compatibility with Java, Scala continues to thrive in data-heavy environments like Apache Spark.
7. Ruby
💵 Average Salary: $131,000/year
📈 Median Salary: $135,000/year
📍 Jobs Found (US): 3,600
Ruby, especially with Rails, powers thousands of web apps. The rapid development cycle makes it appealing for startups and mature tech firms alike.
8. Go (Golang)
💵 Average Salary: $125,000/year
📍 Jobs Found (US): 2,000
Go’s simplicity and performance make it a backend powerhouse for scalable and concurrent applications.
9. Kotlin
💵 Average Salary: $124,000/year
📍 Jobs Found (US): 279
Originally a modern alternative to Java, Kotlin now finds its use in full-stack and backend projects as well.
10. Python
💵 Average Salary: $124,000/year
📈 Top Offers: Up to $500K
📍 Jobs Found (US): 19,000
Python continues to dominate in AI, web development, and automation. Its flexibility and ecosystem make it a developer favorite.
📈 Salary Distribution Chart
🧠 How Was This Data Collected?
This data was gathered by DevJobsScanner, which sifted through 10 million job listings. To keep things accurate:
- We only looked at jobs offering salaries between $10K and $1M.
- All jobs had to be based in the USA.
- The job title needed to specifically mention the programming language.
💡 Final Thoughts
Whether you're exploring blockchain with Solidity or streamlining deployments with Bash, choosing the right programming language can really elevate your tech career. If you're looking for advice, training, or a clear career path, don’t hesitate to connect with the GEEKSHELP team today!
