Which Programming Languages Earn the Highest Salaries in 2021? Top 7 Revealed

In 2021, the most lucrative programming languages are not Python. Based on market analysis, the following seven languages offer the highest average salaries for developers in the United States.

1. Scala

Scala combines object‑oriented and functional programming, runs on the JVM and JavaScript, and simplifies high‑performance digital solutions. The average annual salary for a Scala developer in the U.S. is $115,446.

2. Go

Go, created by Google, is an open‑source language with a C‑like syntax. Its simplicity and efficiency make it popular among developers, and U.S. Go programmers earn an average of $115,685 per year.

3. Objective‑C

Objective‑C was the primary language for macOS and iOS development before being superseded by Swift. It remains in demand for maintaining existing iOS apps, with a median U.S. salary of $101,085.

4. Kotlin

Kotlin, developed by JetBrains, is fully interoperable with Java and can compile to JavaScript or native code via LLVM. Google endorses it as the main language for Android development, and Kotlin developers earn about $98,763 annually.

5. Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails facilitates building JSON or XML‑based web applications and integrates smoothly with JavaScript. Its strong community and productivity features keep it relevant, with U.S. developers earning roughly $91,876 per year.

6. Perl

Originally designed for Unix scripting, Perl is now a versatile language used in system administration, web development, networking, and GUI applications. Developers familiar with C find Perl easy to learn, and the average salary is $93,368.

7. C#

C# is a Microsoft‑created, high‑level language for web and network programming, supporting a wide range of enterprise solutions. It also powers machine‑learning platforms such as .NET Core and ML.NET. The average U.S. salary is $81,999.

These languages each have distinct strengths, making them suitable for various technical challenges—from mobile app development to backend systems. Mastering any of them can lead to high‑paying job opportunities due to strong market demand.