Pay for computer programming?

What is the pay for computer programming? Which language pays more?

Pay for computer programming?
It depends on a lot of factors - where you work makes the biggest difference. In Canada the range for programming can be from $10 an hour to as much as $75 an hour. It's not always the language that makes the difference although it helps if you can write code specifically for certain platforms. This tends to make the more lucrative programming jobs to be doing the stuff that is expensive to learn. That said; there are relatively well paying gigs if you have specialist skills with any particular computer language - a specialist in SQL (common for databases) will make more if they also learn about Rational Rose or Oracle or GIS or certain datawarehouse technologies. Alternatively programming in PHP without MySQL for example or just Visual basic without knowing Dot Net or ASP or C#, is not going to get you very far. C/C++ is popular with people who create video games or Linux distributions. Platform indifferent languages like Java are often popular with governments but such projects seem to be very sparsely sprinkled through the government tenders that I see getting offered so few companies can survive on one language alone. Every university or college seems to use Banner but few are happy with it... The trick seems to be to find your niche in the IT environment and yet remain opportunistic and willing to learn as you earn. Good luck whatever you decide to do.
Reply:There's a huge range based on experience and what you're actually doing for the company, not to mention your location (cost of living). I think $40,000 is a fair guess at a starting salary. You can jump up pretty quick once you get some "years" under your belt. $70,000 - $75,000 after 5 years is reasonable. I think your best bet is probably .Net programming. There is a big market for C# and there is quite a bit of demand for VB.Net. There will always be demand for C and C++ programmers. Java as well. You can find some with PHP and ColdFusion but they are usually smaller companies and lower paying. 99% of the web programming jobs will also require a good knowledge of databases (Oracle or SQL Server).





You can jump from contract job to contract job and make quite a bit more. But you'll constantly be job hunting and you don't have much job security. No benefits and all that jazz.
Reply:I think you mean software engineering. Very few people just "program".





Language is really irrelevant, though experience with the "flavor of the month" will usually get you in the door. You'll find that as you gain experience you use the appropriate tools for the appropriate problems. All languages have their strengths and weaknesses.





As far as pay goes, that is comensurate with experience. A veteran can easily get 6 figures. The average programmer is currently around 50-60 grand. Fresh grads out of college can expect less than that.





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