How to Get Involved in the Booming Python Job Market

Professional market prospects for Python programming language: salary, skills and job search platform

From finance to artificial intelligence, from data science to web development, Python applications are almost everywhere and are growing rapidly. This article will explore the actual salary levels, popular skills, job search platforms, and how Python developers can stay competitive in a highly competitive market.

Find remote work in the technology field, including Python-related positions on SitePoint Remote.

Key points:

• Python is a multifunctional programming language that is widely used in many industries such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cryptocurrency and finance, data science, and web development. Proficiency in Python is often a necessary requirement for job recruitment in these industries, but programming knowledge alone is not enough, and industry-specific expertise is also required.
• Besides Python, mastering knowledge in fields such as statistics, probability theory, reasoning and linear algebra can enhance your competitiveness in the job market. For example, an artificial intelligence expert with a solid mathematical foundation can earn $300,000 to $500,000 per year.
• Python is not just a tool, but also a key component in the technology stacks of various industries. Whether you are looking for full-time or part-time opportunities, there are a large number of platforms to find Python-related positions. These platforms include LinkedIn, Stack Overflow, PythonJobs.com, the recruitment section of the official Python website, SitePoint Remote and Angel.co.
• To remain competitive in the job market, continuous learning is crucial. The specific content of the field you want to engage in will change and expand frequently, so it is crucial to keep up with the latest trends and developments. No matter which programming language you use, proactive, curious and adaptable can make you more attractive to potential employers.

Current job market:

Information technology has created an extremely diverse and dynamic market, and "computer science" itself has now become an overly general term. Almost everything contains more or less IT elements—from algorithms that recommend TV shows you should watch, to code on this page, and even software that integrates your appliances with your phone.

In many areas (each field itself is a career direction), we will choose several particularly popular areas. All of these areas belong to the multi-million/billion dollar industries, which have grown rapidly as of 2020 and are likely to remain active for the foreseeable future. These fields include:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Cloud computing development
• Cryptocurrency and Finance
• Data Science
• Web development and mobile applications

Perfect position in almost any exciting, rapidly growing and profitable industry needs to be mastered by Python

. Stack Overflow trends clearly show that Python’s popularity has increased since 2008, becoming the most discussed programming language.

However, it is not enough to master programming. You also need solid knowledge unique to the industry before considering your job application.

Let's take Google Trends to examine how Python compares to other languages ​​in various fields over the past five years, and discuss the additional knowledge requirements for you in various fields.

Statistical Analysis and Deep Learning:

Machine Learning: Python Comparison with R and MATLAB

The popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) may not be described in detail. In fact, the financial formula for success over the past decade seems to be:

1. Funding an AI startup
2. Successful development of proof of concept
3. Get financing or be acquired
4. Reward

Machine learning continues, but the key is deep learning now. If you want to study more deeply, take a look at convolutional neural networks.

Extra Resources: Check out 5 ways to get started with machine learning to learn about some related resources.

Mathematics:

But we can't just focus on AI. Let's add math.

Have you heard of the laws of tools? Abraham Maslow once said a famous saying: "I think if your only tool is a hammer, then you may tend to treat everything as a nail."

In our current situation, this means that if we only know AI, no matter what problems we encounter, we will try to find the dataset and train the algorithm for it, and Surprisingly, many times We only need a simple probability model to make quick predictions . In other words - mathematics.

If you want to go further and supplement your AI knowledge, you can learn:

• Descriptive statistics
• Probability theory
• Reasoning
• Linear algebra (not bad too)

Salary:

The number of jobs requiring AI skills has increased 4.5 times over the past five years, and as of 2018, one in four North American companies have embedded machine learning in at least one enterprise function. Additionally, Apple, Facebook and Google are investing in deep reinforcement learning (DRL) and expect AI tools to create nearly $3 trillion in business value by 2021, with the natural language processing (NLP) market expected to reach by 2025. $22 billion.

In view of all this, it is no surprise that top AI experts earn between $300,000 and $500,000 a year.

Microservices and serverless computing:

Serverless architecture: Python vs. JavaScript and Go

This can also be said to integrate services with cloud

—but this is still an area where you are most sure to continue to grow. In the "serverless" execution model, companies can reduce maintenance efforts, save costs and effectively exchange information between all platforms.

Content and Platform:

There are many cloud infrastructure providers, but to stay competitive, you can focus on using the following three platforms:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• Microsoft Azure

In particular, you want to be able to implement and deploy APIs using AWS Lambda and Amazon API Gateway (or equivalents in Google's Cloud Functions and Microsoft's Azure Functions).

Extra Resources: See a comparison of sharing and cloud hosting and how to choose to learn more about how these cloud providers build their services.

Salary:

The number of DevOps-related jobs has doubled since 2015, with more than 50,000 cloud computing jobs in the United States alone.

In the United States, the average salary of cloud computing experts is $146,000.

Blockchain and quantitative analysis:

Blockchain: Python comparison with C and Java

I initially had no plans to include blockchain in this list because from my (limited and certainly biased) perspective, I'm not quite sure if cryptocurrencies will still exist in a few years.

But hey, It's a pretty active field now with job opportunities everywhere!

Finance: Python comparison with C and Java

If you have accumulated enough knowledge to understand the financial aspects of cryptocurrencies, combined with Python’s mastery, this may open the door to some investment banking and fintech startup IT departments.

Blockchain is not only the basis of cryptocurrency, but can also be used to build distributed ledgers with multiple applications.

Salary:

As we mentioned, blockchain demand is booming and the market is expected to grow by more than 60% each year.

The annual salary of blockchain engineers is between $150,000 and $175,000.

Big Data and Big Data Analysis:

Data Science: Python Comparison with R and Scala

There are more and more research areas in data science:

• Data Analysis (and exploratory data analysis)
• Data Management
• Data Mining
• Data visualization (and interactive data visualization)
• Data Warehouse

It also has countless supplementary practices and tools such as cleaning, collecting, compressing, planning, farming, integrating, migrating, saving, restoring, grabbing, sorting... to name just a few.

More content:

Hopefully, it has been clear now that Python is just a tool and how many ways you can use it still need to be learned. But if you really want to be a good data scientist, you also need to learn the areas where you are going to apply it - whether it is biology, finance, social phenomena or whatever. Salary:

Investing in data-driven processes doubled in five years to $1 trillion in 2018, with more than half of companies planning to add positions requiring data analytics skills.

The average base salary for a data engineer in the United States is $115,000.

Back-end development:

Web Development: Python Comparison with PHP and .NET This can be said to be the least popular topic on this list. But the truth is that even with the rise of the aforementioned microservices, web development will not disappear anytime soon. Web and mobile applications still require a lot of back-end programming to process input from web browsers or mobile device UIs.

In the past, familiarity with Linux was "an advantage". Today, as a backend developer, this is taken for granted: The "advantage" is that you should be able to orchestrate cloud infrastructure and at least have some understanding of DevOps practices, such as deploying pipelines and handling Software container.

Output Resources: View DevOps Examples: Tools, Pros and Cons of DevOps Culture to learn about the topic. Database:

To properly manage backend development, you also need to easily use different RDBMSs such as PostgreSQL and MySQL. You should also know that

Data management has also moved to NoSQL

for some time, and MongoDB and Redis have proved their persistence as reliable implementations.

Salary: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job growth for web developers will exceed 15% over the next five years.

The salaries of backend developers in the United States vary widely, with a median of $72,000, ranging from $34,000 to $98,000.

Job search platform:

Hopefully the argument that Python is a key component of the technology stack is already established, so let's say you want to work on some large projects and apply for a full-time position. Or you might want to be a little easier, do some part-time Python programming while enjoying your life and/or increasing your income.

Continue reading. If you can use Python, you have many options.

Looking for Python full-time jobs:

LinkedIn is not only a social platform, it is also one of the largest recruitment sites. Of course, having a well-connected profile can help because it can save some cover letters. But even if you're new to LinkedIn, you can still search for Python jobs and filter by country and state

.

You are unlikely to be a developer and don't use Stack Overflow as part of your day-to-day work. In addition to Q&A, Stack Overflow also has a well-planned job list where you can screen “visa sponsorship” companies that are eager to bring in foreign talent. Search for developer positions using Python.

Now, more specifically, you should definitely look at the recruitment sections of PythonJobs.com and the official Python websites. They are not as comprehensive as those platforms, but as accurate as possible.

If you want to specialize in remote work, SitePoint Remote offers a list of many Python engineer jobs.

Lastly, Angel.co is a community of startups designed to connect developers, entrepreneurs and investors. If you want to work for an exciting newly created startup, this is a place to check out.

Part-time job using Python:

Freedom is an independent field that requires a series of articles to discuss. Now, we only point out which platforms may interest you.

After the merger of Elance and oDesk in 2013, Upwork became the main freelancer market, publishing millions of jobs each year. This means there are a large number of potential employers in areas such as software development to data science and analytics (and of course, don't forget to browse Python freelancing positions). Another good idea might be to look at the profiles of other Python developers to see what they offer and how much they charge.

Upwork’s drawback is not only that finding target information in massive amounts can be very laborious, but it can be difficult to compete with 12 million other freelancers. In addition, Upwork costs are the highest you have to pay!

Freelancer is another smaller but still quite large and active market, with users reporting a good experience and having an attractive commission-free plan (a very different from Upwork’s 20% commission). Make sure you view the Python job list.

Guru (Python job) and PeoplePerHour (Python service, Python job) are other websites you can view.

Toptal:

If you already have a mature profile as a Python developer, you might consider applying for Toptal, a platform that claims to curate the top 3% freelancer talent.

Essentially, Toptal will filter your profile and if it meets their criteria, You will be included in the candidates for customers who don't mind paying extra for those who have proven they can put in more effort. List

. Even including hours-based tasks, full-time and part-time options are available.

Summary:

To be honest, when solving problems, the programming language itself is sometimes a secondary problem, and what really needs is an understanding of the current situation and an open mind. If you know very little about the field you want to work in, your potential employer won’t care too much about how well you master Python. And nowadays, these details will change and expand frequently.

This means

you need to keep learning

because any advantage you have now may no longer exist in a few years.

I personally don't like unsolicited suggestions as it's a bit pedantic. But if you can, just to summarize this article: be proactive, curious, put in more effort, adapt to changes, and don't be satisfied with what you already know. Ultimately, it doesn't matter what your programming language is, because you will always have a need.

Want to improve your Python skills and stand out in a rapidly growing market? Check out SitePoint Premium! You will find some introductory books (such as "Python Apprentice") and developing employment skills (such as "Python Front-end Testing". Use Python Masters to improve your skills and access a growing library of over 400 books and courses on web design and development.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Python Job Market:

What is the average salary of Python developers?

The average salary of Python developers varies greatly depending on the region, experience level, and specific industry. However, according to Indeed.com, the average annual salary for Python developers in the United States is about $120,000. This number may be higher in areas with high cost of living or positions requiring professional skills or experience.

Why is Python in high demand in the job market?

Python is in great demand due to its versatility and ease of use. It is a powerful programming language for applications ranging from web development to data analytics to artificial intelligence. Additionally, Python's readability and efficiency make it a popular choice for beginners and experienced developers.

What industries hire Python developers?

Python developers are employed by various industries. These industries include technology and software development companies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations and government agencies. Python is also widely used in scientific research, data analysis and artificial intelligence, making it a valuable skill in these areas as well.

What skills are required to become a Python developer?

To become a Python developer, you need to have a deep understanding of the Python programming language. This includes knowledge of Python syntax, data structures, and libraries. Additionally, you should have experience using web development frameworks such as Django or Flask, as well as familiarity with databases and SQL. It is also beneficial to understand front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

How do I improve my Python skills to increase my employment prospects?

There are many ways to improve your Python skills. These methods include taking online courses, reading Python-related books and blogs, and working on personal projects. Participating in coding challenges and contributing to open source projects can also help you gain hands-on experience and improve your problem-solving abilities.

Is Python suitable for beginners?

Yes, Python is often recommended as an introductory language for beginners because it is easy to read and has simple syntax. Its design is easy to understand and write, making it an excellent choice for programming newbies.

What is the future prospect of Python developers?

The future prospects for Python developers are very optimistic. As data analytics and artificial intelligence grows increasingly important, demand for Python developers is expected to continue to grow. Additionally, Python's versatility and ease of use make it a valuable skill in a variety of industries.

What are some common job titles for Python developers?

Common job titles for Python developers include Python developers, software engineers, data scientists, data analysts, and web developers. Some Python developers may also specialize in specific areas such as machine learning or data visualization.

How is the salary of Python developers compared to other programming languages?

According to various salary surveys, Python developers tend to be paid more competitively than developers specializing in other languages. This may be because there is a lot of demand for Python skills in areas such as data science and machine learning.

What are the career opportunities for Python developers?

Python developers have various career opportunities. As experience accumulates, they can be promoted to senior or chief developer positions. They can also specialize in areas such as data science or machine learning, or take management positions such as IT project manager or software development director.

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