Which Programming Languages Earn the Highest Pay on Upwork?

Top 15 Highest‑Paying Programming Languages on Upwork

Upwork announced on September 1, 2020 that it had identified the fifteen programming languages that command the highest hourly rates on its platform for web, mobile, and software development projects. The analysis, based on data from January 1 to June 30 2020, shows that developers can earn more than $66 per hour, translating to pre‑tax annual incomes exceeding $137,000.

The most lucrative languages, measured by average hourly earnings, are Objective‑C, Go (Golang), and Windows PowerShell. Ruby and Java have experienced the fastest year‑over‑year demand growth, while SQL shows a 152 % increase in contract volume.

Compared with the 2018 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average wages for technology occupations, the $66‑per‑hour benchmark surpasses average salaries for network, mobile, and software developers in major U.S. cities, and even exceeds the average wages in the 15 most expensive cities, which range from $39.58 to $52.09 per hour.

Upwork’s chief economist Adam Ozimek notes that technology remains the platform’s largest category, with high‑skill remote work driving strong demand for expertise ranging from artificial intelligence to mobile development. The data underscores the growing opportunities for independent tech professionals worldwide.

According to Mike Paylor, Upwork’s VP of Engineering and Product, clients are seeking a broad set of programming skills, including mobile specialists using Objective‑C or Kotlin, data analysts and engineers proficient in SQL, and developers working with Java and Go.

Freelancer Patrick Falvey, a full‑stack developer, highlights how Upwork has enabled him to build a multi‑million‑dollar business by leveraging niche skills such as Python and SQL that are difficult to find through traditional channels.

The findings are based on average hourly rates for U.S. freelancers during the first half of 2020, with each skill represented by at least ten projects and 40 hours of billable work.

Key Takeaways

Objective‑C, Go, and Windows PowerShell top the earnings list.

Ruby, Java, and SQL show the highest contract growth rates.

Average hourly rates exceed $66, well above U.S. tech salary averages.