Why SQL Remains a Must‑Learn Skill in 2022: Top 5 Reasons

In 2022, many learners focus on big‑data technologies, yet they often overlook SQL in favor of “sexier” tools like Python, R, deep learning, Scala, or Spark.

SQL (Structured Query Language) is an older language whose origins trace back to Edgar Codd’s relational model proposals half a century ago. Shortly after his proposal, SQL was formally created and quickly adopted worldwide.

Even in 2022, professionals treating data analysis and development as serious careers still value SQL. While general‑purpose languages such as Python and R are important, mastering SQL simplifies a data‑analysis career.

From the mid‑1980s until about twelve years ago, before NoSQL databases became popular, SQL was the sole language for manipulating databases. After a brief decline, SQL has made a strong comeback and is now more important than ever.

According to Statista, 49.43% of developers worldwide use SQL, making it the third‑most popular programming language in 2022.

Below are the most important reasons to learn SQL in 2022.

1. SQL is everywhere Almost every major IT company uses SQL. Companies from Uber to Netflix, Airbnb, and Fortune 500 firms such as Facebook, Google, and Amazon rely on SQL for querying and analysis. Even many traditional enterprises depend heavily on SQL because of their large data volumes.

2. High demand An increasing number of jobs require SQL knowledge. Employers look for skills in data analyst, DBA, and data‑science roles, making SQL a key competency for high‑paying positions.

3. SQL remains a top programming language Research in 2022 shows SQL is more popular than Python among developers, ranking as the third most used language. It is also the de‑facto language for many data scientists.

Why is SQL considered a high‑salary language? Creating excellent web and mobile applications inevitably involves data. SQL, as a language for managing relational databases, is used by leading tech companies—Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Oracle, Amazon, Meta, Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent—who continue to offer lucrative positions for SQL programmers.

SQL’s history: Although not originally part of Edgar Codd’s relational model, it evolved from his ideas. Early proposals like “Alpha” influenced later systems such as Ingres and its QUEL language, impacting PostgreSQL. IBM’s System R project created SEQUEL, later renamed SQL, which was quickly adopted by commercial databases like Oracle and IBM DB2. By the late 1970s, SQL replaced SEEQUEL as the mainstream relational query language and became an ANSI standard in 1986.

SQL’s simplicity and ease of use broadened its user base beyond specialist programmers to analysts and statisticians. Even with the rise of NoSQL in the late 2010s, SQL persisted and has become more resilient than ever.

Therefore, SQL remains one of the most popular programming languages and continues to provide developers with stable, high‑income opportunities.