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Job outlook for junior java developers in the United States
Junior java developer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected junior java developer job growth rate is 13% from 2018-2028.
About 20,900 new jobs for junior java developers are projected over the next decade.
Junior java developer salaries have increased 11% for junior java developers in the last 5 years.
There are over 41,575 junior java developers currently employed in the United States.
There are 154,647 active junior java developer job openings in the US.
The average junior java developer salary is $80,548.
Are junior java developer jobs in demand?
Junior java developer job and salary trends over time
Junior java developer jobs over time
Junior java developer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 41,575 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 84,975 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 55,017 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 42,874 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 42,187 | 0.01% |
Average junior java developer salary over time
Junior java developer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $80,548 | $38.72 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $77,894 | $37.45 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $76,130 | $36.60 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $74,551 | $35.84 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $72,512 | $34.86 | +1.8% |
Junior java developer jobs by state
Most common states for junior java developers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 728 | 105% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 242 | 39% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,864 | 34% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 327 | 34% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,812 | 30% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 283 | 27% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 797 | 26% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 139 | 24% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,686 | 23% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,218 | 22% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 296 | 22% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 854 | 21% |
| 13 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 217 | 21% |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,388 | 20% |
| 15 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 151 | 20% |
| 16 | California | 39,536,653 | 6,759 | 17% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,208 | 17% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,494 | 17% |
| 19 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,115 | 17% |
| 20 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 936 | 17% |
Most common cities for junior java developers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfax | 2 | 8% | $93,410 |
| 2 | Salt Lake City | 3 | 2% | $76,560 |
| 3 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $77,825 |
| 4 | Bethesda | 1 | 2% | $84,574 |
| 5 | Atlanta | 7 | 1% | $77,669 |
| 6 | Richmond | 2 | 1% | $93,584 |
| 7 | Tampa | 2 | 1% | $76,867 |
| 8 | Alexandria | 1 | 1% | $93,495 |
| 9 | Billings | 1 | 1% | $65,936 |
| 10 | New York | 5 | 0% | $94,856 |
| 11 | Charlotte | 3 | 0% | $79,737 |
| 12 | Houston | 2 | 0% | $83,737 |
| 13 | Seattle | 2 | 0% | $92,794 |
| 14 | Virginia Beach | 2 | 0% | $94,211 |
| 15 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $80,250 |
| 16 | Arlington | 1 | 0% | $93,475 |
| 17 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $77,472 |
Junior Java Developer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of junior java developer experts
Texas A&M University San Antonio
Mount St. Joseph University
Southeastern Louisiana University
University of Tulsa
Gannon University
Xavier University of Louisiana
Florida Atlantic University
University of New Haven
University of Central Missouri
Murray State University
Indiana University South Bend
Allegheny College
Saint Xavier University
Taylor University
John Brown University
Rider University
Union University
Seminole State College of Florida
Harding University
Izzat Alsmadi
Associate ProfessorTexas A&M University San Antonio
Computer Science
What general advice would you give to a Junior Java Developer?
Izzat Alsmadi: Computing fields are unique that they have a very large spectrum of possible jobs.
New graduates should be open and flexible to seek opportunities beyond a narrow focus that they may have in mind.
The degree itself is a great start but in most cases will not be enough and you have to seek own training in new software, tools, etc.
Certificates can be also important for some particular sub-disciplines (e.g. cyber security)
Rebecca Allen
Mount St. Joseph University
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Junior Java Developer?
Rebecca Allen: AI, for sure. I have heard it said that AI might not replace humans, rather humans who know how to use AI well may replace humans who don't.
Dr. Ghanssan Alkadi Ph.D.
Professor of Computer ScienceSoutheastern Louisiana University
Department of Computer Science
What soft skills should all Junior Java Developers possess?
Dr. Ghanssan Alkadi Ph.D.: The most important soft skills are how to elicit requirements from clients and how to present the developed software to non-Information technology professionals.
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.
Associate Professor of CIS, J. Bradley Oxley Professor of Computer Information SystemsUniversity of Tulsa
School of Accounting and CIS at the Collins College of Business
What skills will help Junior Java Developers earn the most?
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.: Each of the areas and skills mentioned above is important. The way to earn the most in any of the varied specialties in IT depends on having the right blend of technical and soft skills for a particular employer and, frankly, being the right person at the right time for the right employer. That sounds ambiguous, but the point is that those looking for IT work need to research which companies, locations, and specific jobs pay the most with open positions that match their skillset. And, if you find that dream job with the dream pay but you don't have the requisite skills, there are plenty of opportunities to show a potential employer that you are willing to learn the skills to succeed in that position.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Junior Java Developers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Stephen Frezza Ph.D.: Computing is ubiquitous, and with more industries moving to remote work, location is becoming less critical. If the internet reaches a place reliably, computing jobs can be located there.
How do you envision technology impacting Junior Java Developers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Stephen Frezza Ph.D.: Breadth and depth: Computing is becoming more like engineering; where the value of the product, its lifetime risks, costs, and benefits are more critical than just it's roll-out. So the engineering competencies that have always been a part of computing will become more central. Computing is also expanding; the role of data and the shift of once-research technologies (like machine learning) into production applications will continue to require computing graduates to broaden their base and continue as learners. This will cause shifts in what is considered 'fundamental' and the need for professionals to continue to hone and redevelop their technical skill sets.
Ashwith Chilvery Ph.D.
Director, Dual-Degree Engineering Program, Assistant Professor of PhysicsXavier University of Louisiana
Department of Physics and Computer Science
What's a good job out of college for Junior Java Developers?
Ashwith Chilvery Ph.D.: With increasing unemployment rates, it would be challenging for most of the graduates to find suitable and relevant jobs. More precisely, the pandemic has increased the competition by reducing the number of job vacancies. However, the students with prior internships and research experiences have an advantage to be absorbed quickly but the majority would still be on a hunt mode. In this perspective, they may want to be strategic and pursue jobs that are at a junior level but aligned with their strengths and passion. Self-employment could be other means where they could be on the learning curve and hone skills that are desired. Volunteering has always rewarded those who have embraced it. In short, graduates have to digest the current scenario and strategize their skill sets to land in their dream job.
Maria Larrondo Petrie Ph.D.
ProfessorFlorida Atlantic University
Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Junior Java Developers?
Maria Larrondo Petrie Ph.D.: Students graduating during the pandemic are missing career fair and career service events that the universities and professional association offer, which are very important to get an internship and an entry level position. So their entry-level position may be not in their major and not at the salary and responsibilities that they had hoped. This impacts subsequent offers.
What's a good job out of college for Junior Java Developers?
Christopher Martinez Ph.D.: The best job you can have out of college is a job you have passion for and will set you up to advance your career. If you have always wanted to work in aerospace, then you should seek out that field from the start. I hate to see students settle for a job because of pay or because they feel they can move to their dream field later.
Dr. Phoebe McLaughlin
Professor of Statistics & Mathematics Assistant Chair of Mathematics Programs Actuarial Science and Statistics Program CoordinatorUniversity of Central Missouri
School of Computer Science and Mathematics
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Junior Java Developers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Phoebe McLaughlin: It seems like more employers will start looking away from expensive programs like SAS and transition towards free, open-source programs like R. The SOA is already starting to do this with their PA exam, we expect employers are going to follow.
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer ScienceMurray State University
Computer Science and Information Systems
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Junior Java Developers?
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.: A bachelor's degree in computer science is extremely valuable. It has been and continues to be one of the most valuable college degrees a student can pursue. I really think all areas of computing are in demand, but web and mobile computing might be one of the strongest. Some employers do like to see extra certifications in addition to the bachelor's degree. There are literally hundreds of certifications available in the computing industry. They all vary in the required amount of time, effort, and money. I think anything that can set a candidate apart from other candidates is valuable, and that includes any certification. I would not recommend investing thousands of dollars into additional certifications after completing a bachelor's degree, but I don't think it's a bad idea for students to pursue one of the free or lower-cost certifications that are available - especially those students who might not have strong internship experience, extracurricular activities, projects, etc. to put on their resumes. I think anything DevOps related or cloud-based like Amazon's AWS or Microsoft's Azure are especially valuable right now.
What's a good job out of college for Junior Java Developers?
Dr. Matthew Tennyson Ph.D.: Any job is a good job out of college! Even if it isn't a perfect fit, that first job can be used to gain experience, and can be used as a stepping stone toward that ideal job. Gaining experience is key. It should really start before graduation. Ideally, a student would have at least one summer internship before graduating. Internships can often lead to permanent job offers after graduation. I've even heard of students, who might struggle to find a permanent job offer after graduation, pursue an internship to not only gain experience but also with the hope that it will lead to a permanent opportunity with that company.
What type of skills will young Junior Java Developers need?
Hang Dinh Ph.D.: In the coming years, when life is still being impacted by the pandemic in some way, graduates who enter the workforce may need skills that help them work efficiently from home. Those skills would include time management, self-motivation, and the ability to use technology. Of course, they still need the skills that are usually needed for their jobs, such as communication skills, teamwork, etc.
Oliver Bonham-Carter Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorAllegheny College
Department of Computer Science and Affiliated Faculty in Integrative Informatics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Junior Java Developer job market given the pandemic?
Oliver Bonham-Carter Ph.D.: Pandemic has accelerated social connectivity trends using technology, including technology for remote work, and e-learning, and technology to make e-commerce more comfortable and faster. I foresee these accelerated technology trends to continue, even after the pandemic, and therefore job markets in these areas to continue to grow. Another big surge we have seen is in data analytics, which has been increasing over the last decade, and COVID-19 has spotlighted this field. I expect data analyst jobs to continue to be in demand and to grow. Also, the pandemic showed us the interconnectedness of technology with other areas. As the need to develop better solutions to fight various diseases heightens, for example, I expect jobs in biotech to grow.
What are the best companies to work for a Junior Java Developer?
James Vanderhyde: The best companies to work for are companies that respect you as a person and not just a cog in the machine. They are inclusive, and they recognize and appreciate diversity. They have a track record of handling sick leave and family leave as needed. They will not expect you to eat dinner in your office and then go back to work after an already long day. All software companies experience crunch times around release dates, but the best companies do not experience constant crunch. That is a sign of poor management. The best companies will give you challenging problems to work on and reward innovation.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Junior Java Developers in the next 5 years?
James Vanderhyde: There has been a steady increase in software and IT jobs for the last 20 years, and this is not going to slow down any time soon. In the next 5 years, demand will increase, particularly in software development and cybersecurity. The technology field changes so quickly that beyond 5 years, it is difficult to make predictions. That is why we thoroughly prepare our computer science and information systems students for technology changes and career shifts to discover the best in themselves and to be prepared to meet the demand and excel within the field.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Junior Java Developers to find work opportunities?
James Vanderhyde: Any big city will have lots of opportunities for computing, software, and IT work. Silicon Valley and the rest of the west coast are the most famous, but innovation is happening everywhere around the country and around the world, including here in Chicago. Chicago tech companies have hired our students upon graduation, and likewise, our graduates have found success and gratification in the field.
Dr. Jonathan Geisler
Associate ProfessorTaylor University
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Junior Java Developers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Jonathan Geisler: There will be a continued increase in demand for computer engineering
graduates as computers become more heavily integrated into the fabric
of our lives. Things like self-driving cars, the Internet of Things, and
mobile computing will become more commonplace and increase the demand for engineering talent; the long-term trend of using smartphones and web-based applications will not slow, leading to an increase in the
demand for computing talent.
How do you envision technology impacting Junior Java Developers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Ted Junseok Song: The question is not whether technology will advance or not. It is, rather, how it will advance. Professionals in the industry need to be equipped to see the customers' demand and where our society is headed. I would recommend college students to be interested in broad topics apart from topics in their major. Well-rounded people will have more opportunities to impact the future.
Dr. Howard Rees
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Information SystemsRider University
Information systems
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Junior Java Developers?
Dr. Howard Rees: We're moving into a volatile time for the economy, and planning for an uncertain future is what big companies are concerned with. In many ways, the pandemic and concerns over future pandemics that we now know can be globally devastating will be a boon for CS and IT graduates. Face to face business interactions and transactions will be dramatically reduced, both in the short term and in the long run, as there will be a need to hedge against future pandemics. Everything changes from production and operations to supply chain and risk management and diversification to the nature of "office work." And all of that must be underpinned by computer technology: communications, security, data analytics. These are trends that have been developing for the past few decades but the pandemic will accelerate them, and that's all useful, if you're a CS or IT graduate with a broad base of knowledge, which provides you the freedom to adapt.
What general advice would you give to a Junior Java Developer?
Brian Glas: Build relationships: Different technologies will interest and challenge you, but throughout your career, you'll find that it's the relationships that are the most important. This is harder to grasp earlier in your career, but much easier to understand after 15-20 years.
Gain different perspectives: Spend time with people in other roles that your job interacts with, and gain a solid understanding of how they view things; this is most valuable for career progression and understanding of how your work fits into the big picture.
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.
Professor/Program ManagerSeminole State College of Florida
Center for Information Technology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Junior Java Developers?
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.: Many I.T. employees already have the option to work remotely (telecommute), but this will become even more important with the Coronavirus challenges. Employees must be able to work remotely and be organized and self-directed. Employers are looking for teleworkers that can work on a task from anywhere.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Junior Java Developers in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.: Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Junior Java Developers?
Frank McCown Ph.D.: Many companies have changed their hiring practices. It's not unusual for a new graduate to jump straight into remote work. I predict the move from in-person work to remote work is only going to accelerate as we get more comfortable with it. Once the pandemic dies down, and economic uncertainties start to go away, companies that had been on hiring freezes will likely jump back in, creating a strong market for graduates.