Python Jobs and Salaries in 2022

Python is one of the hottest programming languages. But what are the benefits of a Python job? Why is it worth learning?

In the late 1980s, Guido van Rossum started designing the Python programming language. The goal was for it to be a general purpose language; this idea – along with its beginner-friendly nature – made Python very popular over the next decades.

Python can be a perfect choice as a first programming language. It has a clear syntax, can enforce good coding practices, and has many tools. It is an interpreted language, so you can experiment by changing the code base easily. And, as mentioned above, it’s widely used in all kinds of fields.

Another advantage for Python is its long history. It’s had enough time to develop a strong community of experts and plenty of documentation, tutorials, and guides to learn from.

If you’re a complete beginner and you want to develop your programming skills, our learning track Learn Programming with Python will help you get started. And there’s nothing to install; you can get hands-on coding experience without leaving your browser.

If you already have some programming experience and want to get into data science, the Python for Data Science learning path will meet your needs. Again, all you need is a browser and an internet connection.

Python can be used in a variety of contexts, such as writing web and mobile apps, automating mundane computer tasks, processing large amounts of data in data science or machine learning, and testing applications. Such a wide range of uses makes Python an essential asset when it comes to job search and career development.

Python Jobs and Salaries

Let’s take a closer look at the job market, specifically in regards to types of Python jobs and their salaries. Maybe it will give you motivation to develop your computer programming competencies or even change your current career path.

The information below is based on data from Glassdoor statistics for New York, USA; your local job market may offer different salary levels. We’ll feature positions where Python is either a key tool or a very helpful addition.

Data Scientist

Data science, in general, deals with collecting, processing, analyzing and visualizing data. A data scientist extracts actionable insights from their company’s data, often using Python.

With Python, data scientists can process mathematical calculations, get descriptive statistics, and build statistical models. They can also create data visualization (i.e. graphs, charts, plots, etc.) using Python’s data visualization libraries. When having a huge amount of data, a clear visual view is crucial to see possible correlations, non-obvious relationships, and trends.

If you are interested in what data science work is all about and who a data scientist actually is, read the article Who Are Data Scientists and What Do They Use Python For?. You may also want to know in detail how Python is used in data scientists’ work. 

Average salary per year: $109,648

Total pay per year (additional pay included): $126,393

Data Analyst

Data analysts use technical tools to “read” data and parse through large quantities of raw information. They are responsible for determining data quality, removing corrupted data, and preparing reports.

If you look at an example of a job advertisement for a data analyst, you will see that technical skills (like SQL and Python) are a great asset in a candidate’s CV.

Average salary per year: $72,778

Total pay per year (additional pay included): $83,771

Data Engineer

A data engineer creates systems that are responsible for processing and delivering data, making it accessible within the organization as needed. Others can then use the data to draw conclusions and optimize performance.

Data engineers are needed in smaller companies as well in big corporations, although the duties may differ. A generalist role can mean working closely with data-related tasks, whereas specialists might populate warehouses with data and create table schemas to track where data is stored.

Average salary per year: $106,711

Total pay per year (additional pay included): $119,818

Python Developer

Python developers design, code, debug and deploy projects, usually on the server side or backend (as opposed to the front end, which is what users directly interact with). Since Python is used in a wide range of fields, developers can work in many different areas. It depends on the company and the scope of its activity. For example, Python developers often work closely with data scientists on finding valuable answers in large amounts of data.

A bit of an insight into a Python developer’s life can be found in the article How to Learn Python Effectively and Think Like a Python Developer. You  may also want to see what companies use Python and how they use it.

Average salary per year: $103,545

Total pay per year (additional pay included): $117,919

Web Developer

A web developer creates websites; often, their roles are divided into front end (what the user sees) and back end (how the underlying structure works). A full-stack web developer is responsible for the visual look, the whole user experience layer, and the website’s capacity and performance.

A web developer who knows Python is always a great asset. Freelance developers also use Python because it’s powerful, versatile, and simple to learn. Plus, popular web development frameworks like Django and Flask are built on Python. 

Average salary per year: $96,689

Total pay per year (additional pay included): $110,109

Machine Learning/AI Specialist

This profession is relatively new to the labor market, but demand is high. Machine learning (ML) specialists are responsible for developing new algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solutions.

Many companies are deciding to implement a data-driven approach, so they need people who can understand and implement these technologies. A machine learning specialist’s responsibilities include designing machine learning and deep learning systems, running tests and experiments, and developing or deploying suitable algorithms.

Python is certainly among the skills that an AI or ML specialist must have; it’s one of the most popular ML and data science languages around.

Average salary per year: $108,968

Total pay per year (additional pay included): $125,405

Python Freelancer

As a Python professional, you don’t necessarily need to work for one company. There are a lot of developers who decide to work independently. Some even become digital nomads, working on a beach in Bali with a view of the ocean. 

There are a lot of offers for Python freelancers. Rates per hour or per project vary greatly, so it’s hard to find reliable average amounts. It depends on many factors: market sector, country, project scope, the freelancer’s experience and qualifications, and more.

Many freelance gigs are available online on sites like Glassdoor and Indeed. Usually, the salary range is stated in the job advertisement. You can find out more in the article Where to Find a Python Job.

Python for Non-IT Jobs

Python can come in handy outside of the IT industry.  Managers are increasingly aware of the need of having tech skills within their teams;  a financial analyst or marketing manager who also knows Python may gain interesting new opportunities for themselves and their company.

How to Prepare for a Python Job

As you can see, there are plenty of possible career paths when you know Python. This market is still growing, and Python jobs’ salaries will grow as well, especially as you add more professional experience.

Working with Python opens up a lot of opportunities, especially if you want to work on challenging and meaningful projects. So don’t be afraid to learn and develop! If you are a complete beginner, start with our Python Basics track. It contains everything you need to start thinking like a programmer and writing your first scripts. Give it a try!

What to do:

• Create a free com account or log in if you already have one.
• Choose the Python Basics track or any of our Python courses. You'll have free access to the first few exercises. You can see if it is for you before you buy the full course.

If you have some interesting and helpful tips for people who want to find a job in this field, please share them in the comments. Happy learning!