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Job outlook for senior java developers in the United States
Senior java developer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior java developer job growth rate is 13% from 2018-2028.
About 20,900 new jobs for senior java developers are projected over the next decade.
Senior java developer salaries have increased 11% for senior java developers in the last 5 years.
There are over 40,465 senior java developers currently employed in the United States.
There are 248,350 active senior java developer job openings in the US.
The average senior java developer salary is $106,767.
Are senior java developer jobs in demand?
Senior Java Developer job and salary trends over time
Senior Java Developer jobs over time
Senior Java Developer job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 40,465 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 82,705 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 53,506 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 39,187 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 38,728 | 0.01% |
Average senior java developer salary over time
Senior Java Developer salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $106,767 | $51.33 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $103,249 | $49.64 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $100,912 | $48.52 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $98,819 | $47.51 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $96,115 | $46.21 | +1.8% |
Senior Java Developer jobs by state
Most common states for senior java developers
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 902 | 130% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 3,452 | 47% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3,612 | 43% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 409 | 43% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 2,519 | 42% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 263 | 42% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,703 | 39% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 401 | 38% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,503 | 36% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1,026 | 33% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 428 | 32% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 324 | 31% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,699 | 30% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 225 | 30% |
| 15 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 173 | 30% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,604 | 29% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,497 | 28% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 546 | 28% |
| 19 | California | 39,536,653 | 10,480 | 27% |
| 20 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,334 | 23% |
Most common cities for senior java developers
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLean | 19 | 39% | $103,764 |
| 2 | Alpharetta | 20 | 31% | $100,254 |
| 3 | Jersey City | 31 | 12% | $110,134 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 54 | 11% | $100,275 |
| 5 | Tampa | 41 | 11% | $99,133 |
| 6 | Irving | 22 | 9% | $99,199 |
| 7 | Plano | 18 | 6% | $98,763 |
| 8 | Washington | 33 | 5% | $110,580 |
| 9 | Boston | 29 | 4% | $107,263 |
| 10 | Dallas | 43 | 3% | $99,272 |
| 11 | Austin | 26 | 3% | $102,034 |
| 12 | Sacramento | 16 | 3% | $127,825 |
| 13 | Chicago | 46 | 2% | $97,601 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 21 | 2% | $87,839 |
| 15 | Charlotte | 18 | 2% | $102,816 |
| 16 | San Francisco | 16 | 2% | $129,900 |
| 17 | Denver | 15 | 2% | $95,320 |
| 18 | New York | 60 | 1% | $111,089 |
| 19 | Phoenix | 20 | 1% | $104,993 |
| 20 | San Jose | 15 | 1% | $129,343 |
Senior Java Developer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior java developer experts
Nova Southeastern University
Eastern Washington University
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Nova Southeastern University
Aurora University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
Texas A&M University San Antonio
Middle Georgia State University
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Mount St. Joseph University
University of Richmond
Idaho State University
Taylor University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
What general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
Sepehr Mohammadian: 2. Computer science remains in high demand in today's job market, with California exemplifying this trend. In recent years, the number of open positions in the state has exceeded the average demand rate by 1.5 times. At the University of the Pacific, our CS program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and experiences to thrive in this landscape. Through our co-op program, in collaboration with recruiters such as Nvidia, HP, and Lawrence Livermore National Lab, students have the opportunity to participate in paid internships lasting approximately 8 months. These internships provide invaluable exposure to real-world work settings and allow students to apply their knowledge in practical contexts and gain valuable industry insights. It is worth noting that many of our graduates choose to return to the same company post-graduation.
What Senior Java Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sepehr Mohammadian: 1. This is a pretty broad question. CS degree graduates can engage in different tasks and responsibilities based on the nature of their profession. Examples include 1) software engineering, in which the individual's efforts are toward leading or contributing to software development projects, 2) IT management, where the individual mainly oversees technology strategies and their implementation, 3) cybersecurity, where the individual's responsibilities are associated with the protection of systems and data from cyber threats, and 4) data and AI engineering, where the individual works on machine learning applications and analyze and derive insights from large datasets.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Sridhar Ramachandran: The field of Computer Science is a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape. Over the next 3-5 years, several skills will gain prominence. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will be indispensable due to the surge in data generation. Cybersecurity will become critical as our reliance on digital systems intensifies, and it will be everyone’s prerogative to ensure the security of their digital assets. Essential cybersecurity skills will include understanding of network security, proficiency in security software tools, knowledge of threat and vulnerability assessment, and the ability to implement incident response and recovery plans. Proficiency in Cloud Computing platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure will be sought after as businesses increasingly transition to the cloud. Data Science and Analytics will continue to be pivotal for data-driven decision making. Quantum Computing, though nascent, holds the potential to revolutionize the field. Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving will be vital in managing complex, interdisciplinary projects. In this dynamic field, employees who know how to learn, unlearn, and relearn will have a competitive advantage. This is particularly true with the emerging importance for AI programming languages like Julia, Swift for TensorFlow, and Rust.
Junping Sun Ph.D.
ProfessorNova Southeastern University
Computer Software And Media Applications
What Senior Java Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Junping Sun Ph.D.: Computer Science and its applications in various fields are very dynamic and constantly evolving, and anyone in the fields needs to prepare to be adaptive by lifelong learning.
Dan Tappan
Eastern Washington University
Computer Software And Media Applications
What Senior Java Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dan Tappan: This field changes so rapidly, it's hard to predict. Artificial intelligence has really taken off recently. There's no clear distinction between AI, machine learning, big data, and related areas anymore. They all blend together. These aren't just used as solutions to problems; they're also playing an ever-larger role in the tools we use to solve those problems. ChatGPT, for example, helps in writing documentation, and Google products help in writing code. Solid skills in these areas can streamline the development process.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
Dale Dzielski MBA, CMA®, PMP®, SAFe® 4 Agilist: Be prepared for a lifelong learning experience; it just begins now. Be confident in what you know but open to learn more because you will.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Dale Dzielski MBA, CMA®, PMP®, SAFe® 4 Agilist: Gain knowledge in Statistics, Data Analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence as well as understanding of Agile Methodology, architecture and design principles/concepts, and development tools such as Jira and GitHub. These will continue to grow in importance to your career. Also, keep watching for disruptive technologies. These will change the way we live and perform our jobs such as the impact AI has already had. I can't name them now because they haven't been innovated or named yet. In fact, you may become a part of doing so.
What Senior Java Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lyle Ford: Be flexible and open to new experiences. Technology changes rapidly and your skills will have to evolve to keep up. You will always need your creativity and problem solving skills, but the way in which you implement them will change with your environment which will require you to constantly update your skillset. Always look for opportunities to network. This can give you insights into developing areas and open doors for future paths you may be unaware of.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
Lyle Ford: Having a broad base of skills, both technical and interpersonal are very valuable. Often, physics majors are hired to be problem solvers and each problem has its own set of unique conditions that may require a different set of skills to solve. The ability to be an effective team member is vital and proof of that will make you stand out. Evidence of independent work is also helpful so highlight and research or internship experiences you have had.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Lyle Ford: Computer skills (programming, working effectively with AI, and the like) will be important as the world continues to automate. The ability to design, build, and repair electronic and electromechanical systems will also be important for the same reason.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
Dr. Frank Mitropoulos Ph.D.: As you begin your career in Computer Applications, remember that the technology industry highly values adaptability and continuous learning. Commit to staying current with emerging technologies, programming languages, tools, and methodologies. Engage in online courses, attend workshops, and network with other professionals in your field. This dedication to self-learning and the connections you make can lead to job opportunities, mentorship, and collaborations that could shape your future career path.
What Senior Java Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Frank Mitropoulos Ph.D.: Maximizing your salary potential as a new graduate with a Computer Applications degree involves strategic positioning, skill enhancement, and effective negotiation. Following are a few strategies to help increase your salary now and in the future: Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Identify and specialize in high-demand areas that generally offer higher salaries. Build a Strong Portfolio: Develop a portfolio that showcases your skills. A compelling portfolio can strengthen your position during salary negotiations. Develop Soft Skills: While technical skills are essential, soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and leadership hold equal significance. Enhancing these skills can give you an edge in negotiations. Do your Homework and Negotiate: Some industries and locations offer higher salaries. Decide what type of industry you want to focus on and do the background research needed to determine whether your skills will help as leverage. Use your portfolio, certifications, and skill set to strengthen your position. Be ready to articulate your value and how you can contribute to the company's success.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Frank Mitropoulos Ph.D.: As we look toward the future of careers in Computer Applications, several skills stand out for their growing importance. These skills revolve around specific technologies that are expected to continue to grow and evolve. Technologies related to Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Data Science are quickly evolving and being applied across the technology sector. Cloud Computing: Given the widespread adoption of Cloud services, Cloud computing expertise is indispensable. Understanding how to leverage platforms like Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud is crucial to developing scalable, efficient solutions that meet business needs. Artificial Intelligence: AI and Machine Learning are transforming the world. Skills in these areas to solve real-world problems will be even more critical in the future. Cybersecurity: Digital threats are becoming more sophisticated. Safeguarding data, networks, and systems will require encryption, intrusion detection, development, and regulation skills. Data Science: Skills in Data Science will be increasingly sought after as businesses embrace data-driven decision-making. Extracting meaningful insights from extensive datasets and effectively communicating these findings will be essential. Soft skills: Finally, soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication cannot be overlooked. Adapting, communicating, and leading will be essential for success.
Dr. Ramona Baima
Senior Lecturer of Mathematics & Field Experience SupervisorAurora University
Mathematics
What general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
Dr. Ramona Baima: For sure, in the next 3-5 years the level of technology will increase exponentially with the addition of AI. It is very important for graduates to continue to want to learn and improve their skills in the field of computer science and advanced mathematics in order to be able to be creative, come up with and implement unique ideas.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
Ahmed Imteaj PH.D.: Research Salary Trends, Acquire In-Demand Skills, Gain Relevant Experience, Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter, Prepare for Salary Negotiations, Consider Additional Benefits.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Ahmed Imteaj PH.D.: Research Salary Trends: Before entering the job market, research salary trends for entry-level positions in your field and location. Websites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and LinkedIn Salary can provide valuable insights into typical salary ranges for different roles.
Acquire In-Demand Skills: Identify in-demand skills and technologies in your field and focus on acquiring them through coursework, certifications, internships, or personal projects. Skills such as machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data science are highly valued and can command higher salaries.
Gain Relevant Experience: Prioritize gaining relevant experience through internships, co-op programs, part-time jobs, or freelance projects. Practical experience can significantly increase your market value and make you more attractive to employers.Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that align with the job requirements. Highlighting your unique qualifications can increase your chances of landing interviews and negotiating a higher salary.
Prepare for Salary Negotiations: Before entering salary negotiations, research the typical salary range for the position and location, considering factors such as cost of living and industry standards. Practice articulating your value proposition and be prepared to negotiate confidently for a salary that reflects your skills, experience, and market value.
Consider Additional Benefits: In addition to salary, consider other benefits and perks offered by employers, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and bonuses. These benefits can add significant value to your overall compensation package.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Evgenia Smirni: Focus on having a strong basis of the fundamentals. The purpose of your education is to teach you asking the right questions to be able to find the right solutions. This field is changing continuously. Learning how to pivot when new, emerging trends happen, is key for success. Last but not least, do not underestimate the value of liberal arts educations - combining CS with liberal arts can offer communication skills that are of paramount importance for your career trajectory in this tech field.
Mr. Mark Pranger
Instructor, School of Creative and Information TechnologiesOklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
Mining And Petroleum Technologies/Technicians
What Senior Java Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mr. Mark Pranger: The biggest advice here is to show the organization the long haul. It costs a lot of money to advertise, find, recruit, hire, and train employees in our field. The company wants to know their return on that investment will be higher. A large technical breadth versus a deep technical understanding is the balance you have to maintain. Many companies I deal with as an internship coordinator tell me that they can train the technical niche needs that they have but the student has to be able to show that they can learn and absorb that knowledge and put it to use. Going back to the portfolio, this gives someone looking at it insight into what extent you can learn, absorb, and produce. I personally am a true believer in the depth over breadth in the computer science programming field. While syntax changes from language to language, the concepts that we use to engineer our software remain the same. So Java does one activity different than C# or Ruby, that concept though will be important and the syntax can be picked up easier if you understand the concept. To me, a deeper understanding of one language and the ability to adapt quickly to another language is more important than having a little knowledge in a wide breadth of language but no depth. I have been in this field for 30 years now and probably know about half that number of languages that I have used over those 30 years. I didn't start with all those languages, but I did start with a very deep understanding of just one or two. I could spend my time quickly learning syntax to pick up a new language for a new position because I understood the concepts so well in my root language. Learn it deep, understand it deep and show you can transfer it across laterally. Put together that portfolio. The portfolio reinforces the narrative I discussed in the earlier question also.
MARLA KRAMER
Assistant Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsWhat general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
MARLA KRAMER: Do the necessary course work from a reputed institution, where you can get the necessary hands-on experience under the tutelage of an established expert. Create a portfolio of your work on GitHub so that you can share your projects with potential employees. It is more important to demonstrate your skills through code, than it is to provide a list of classes that you have taken. Certification courses are expensive, but getting an accredited certificate in Mobile Application Development or any of the rapidly growing fields is always an advantage. The internet has a lot of uncurated, self-published, and incorrect information, especially when it comes to computer science. It is important that you pick your sources wisely as you build your skills.
What Senior Java Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
MARLA KRAMER: Computer Science, and IS in general, is a field that is constantly evolving. It is not enough to know what everybody else knows. Becoming a subject matter expert with deep knowledge is important to be successful in the long run. You have to pick your area of expertise carefully, keep yourself focused and educated in that specific area, and be prepared for a career of continuous learning.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
MARLA KRAMER: It is unlikely that software development will be fully automated in the near future. Writing correct and efficient applications is a skill set that will only grow as we invent more ways to improve the quality of our lives. As more and more commerce and critical services migrate onto the internet, IS development will require a deeper knowledge of cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud computing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Information Security Analysis jobs are expected to grow by 32% over the next 10 years. The BLS estimates Software Developers, Quality Assurance and Testing will grow by 25% over the next decade.
Right now, however, software development is going through a lull because of competition from abroad. Being an expert in at least two popular programming languages, having a solid theoretical foundation, and being able to innovate is pivotal. Artificial Intelligence is being deployed to solve some problems now, thanks to the powerful computers we have today. Learning to effectively use AI frameworks as part of your application development will add a lot of value to your skillset.
Izzat Alsmadi
Associate ProfessorTexas A&M University San Antonio
Computer Science
What Senior Java Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Izzat Alsmadi: With the quick and rapid evolution language models, they are expected to be great assets in accelerating many jobs. Its important for new graduates to be aware of such models or tools and how they can be used
Programming skills will still be important but languages will be more mature and graduates need to be aware of the different available tools and resources online and how they can be used
What general advice would you give to a Senior 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)
Tina Ashford
Professor of Information Technology/Faculty Curator of the Museum of Technology/DoIT Internship CoordinatorMiddle Georgia State University
Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
Tina Ashford: Technical expertise is crucial: cloud fluency, cybersecurity awareness, and understanding Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) potential, however, soft skills are equally important - clarity in communication, seamless collaboration, and an ever-growing appetite for learning to adapt to the ever-changing tech landscape. Even with AI on the scene, uniquely human problem-solving and fresh ideas will set you apart. This blend of technical and soft skill agility, and never-ending curiosity should bring you success in the field of IT.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Tina Ashford: My first piece of advice is to embrace lifelong learning. Tech never sleeps, so neither should your curiosity. View mistakes as growth opportunities, and stay a student forever. Next, optimize your communication and teamwork skills to bridge the gap between techies and everyone else. Critical thinking is your secret sauce, so use it to solve problems creatively and anticipate the future. Finally, specialization is great, but keep an open mind. A broader skillset makes you adaptable, ready to seize unexpected opportunities. Network actively, build relationships, and most importantly, stay passionate. Let your tech enthusiasm fuel your career.
Rich Maclin
ProfessorUniversity of Minnesota - Duluth
Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Rich Maclin: My advice to my students always starts with the fundamental question--what are you trying to achieve? What do you want out of job? Are you looking for a steady income, job security, a challenge, a particular field, etc.? When I talk to students in our upper division Software Engineering course my suggested approach is to try to understand the culture of the job you were taking on, and by extension, take whatever training they offer you. But honestly, I also tell them BEFORE they graduate that they need to think about what comes next and perhaps work on those other skills that may help them with jobs they want. If they want to go into a finance-related field maybe take some business courses in accounting, etc. If they play multiple instruments (seems like many of our students do) maybe take music courses and look for companies that work in the music field. Computer science and software at this point touch almost every industry, so before they leave I often suggest students take courses in areas that might lead them to be more attractive to companies in that field.
Rebecca Allen
Mount St. Joseph University
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Senior 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.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Rebecca Allen: I'd suggest that you hop in to coding and just get started. Even a tiny bit helps. Python is a very popular language, and free to download (Python.org). Once you download, there are some many ways to start learning coding. My personal favorites are Mimo and LearnPython.org. You can also ask ChatGPT for suggestions-remember that ChatGPT can often help your write and explain simple code. Don't understand something? Ask ChatGPT!
Ahmed Temani
Senior InstructorUniversity of Richmond
Computer/Information Technology Administration And Management
What general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
Ahmed Temani: A lot of the buzz is about using chatbots to improve coding efficiency. However, there is a great need for systems level thinking and design as software is deployed across cloud and edge computing devices. Gaining more experience in systems design provides you with additional skills that complement whatever AI-based technology gets deployed.
What Senior Java Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ahmed Temani: This one I'm not sure how to answer as it is too broad. I would say work hard and do quality work, but that seems obvious.
What Senior Java Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nikyra Capson: Don't be afraid of being rejected. If they see a job they want, apply. Even if they don't think they'll get it, still apply. The worst thing that could happen is being told no. Not applying is an automatic no, so they might as well try.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Nikyra Capson: Understanding artificial intelligence and developing technology are essential skills for students to have so they're prepared for the future. Software is constantly updating, so designers need to be able to evolve with it and be constantly learning.
Dr. Jonathan Denning
Associate Professor and Department Co-chairTaylor University
Computer Science
What general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
Dr. Jonathan Denning: Ask lots of questions. Don't assume that the company is going to offer you a job with the very best benefits. Ask questions that help you understand what the typical range of pay will be, and what things are they looking for to help make decisions on pay.
What will help Senior Java Developers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jonathan Denning: 1. Keep learning the fundamentals. The CS field is ever changing, so don't get caught up in understanding only the latest and greatest framework or language, as tomorrow there will be another one to replace it. Instead, focus on the fundamentals, so that you can quickly become familiar with whatever framework is decided upon.
John Matta
Associate Professor of CS, SIUESouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Computer And Information Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Senior Java Developer?
John Matta: Networking. A lot of people feel weird about it, but you really can negotiate your job offers. Be sure to keep benefits in mind.