Code Platoon provides an affordable education option for Veterans and military spouses interested in software engineering careers. There are many variables to consider when choosing a Software Engineering program, including time, cost, and type of study. That’s why we offer Full-time, Evening and Weekend, and Self-paced learning programs.

Our free online, self-paced Intro to Coding program was recognized recently by Intelligent, an independent education resource provider, as one of the Best Online Coding Bootcamps for 2021. The program was ranked as the most affordable option for beginner coders.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the top choices for Intelligent’s Online Coding Bootcamps,” said Rod Levy, Code Platoon’s Founder and Executive Director. “While our target student base is those who have served in the military or are married into it, our Intro to Coding course is available to anyone, regardless of any affiliation with the military or not.”

Intro to Coding is an 11 session course that includes seven hours of on-demand videos and more than 120 coding challenges to kick-start someone’s coding learning. Participants of Intro to Coding will walk away with the fundamentals of JavaScript, an in-demand and well-paying coding language to learn. Many of the participants who complete Intro to Coding attend additional coding Bootcamp programs and pursue careers in software engineering.

In their ranking, Intelligent recommended Intro to Coding by saying,  “If you’re particularly busy, then it might be difficult to even keep up with the fixed schedule of a part-time coding Bootcamp. Code Platoon’s self-directed program allows you to complete your coursework whenever you find the time. With a cost of $0, it’s an excellent choice for aspiring coders who are concerned about their budget as well.

Amanda Michelle Gordon is Code Platoon’s Content Marketing Coordinator. She is a U.S. Air Force Veteran and a graduate of SUNY New Paltz for Journalism and Sociology. In her free time, Amanda enjoys reading, the outdoors, and turning coffee into copy. You can find Amanda on LinkedIn and Twitter.

At Code Platoon, we track national demand for programming languages so that our Veterans and military spouses get the best tools for a career in software development. 

This article highlights the programming languages that command the highest salaries and are most frequently targeted in job postings.

We wrote on this subject in 2020 and have since updated the statistics for 2021. Here are our primary findings:

Javascript and Python developers continue to get paid well, landing #2 and #3 in salary, while C++ makes a jump this year to #1 in salary. But there are relatively fewer job posting for C++, with Java and Javascript leading in jobs posted (C# and Python finished close behind).

How we identified the current top programming languages

We began by searching Indeed.com, one of the largest job listing sites. For compensation, we examined the top 15 most popular languages in a Stack Overflow survey and mapped the average salary for job listings with those languages. For demand, we tracked the number of total job postings targeting those same languages.

Ranking programming languages by pay and number of openings

Python: Python is an interpreted, multi-purpose programming language. It holds the #3 position in Average Salary and #4 in the number of Job Postings. Python is seeing exploding growth due to its use in data science, machine learning, cybersecurity, and dev ops. 

 Javascript: Javascript took #2 in Job Postings and #2 in Average Salary. Javascript is an indispensable language to know for writing web applications.

 C++: Now used primarily in gaming and high-performance applications, C++ stands at #1 in Average Salary and #6 in Job Postings.  C++ is very fast and stable, but difficult to learn relative to the other languages in this list. 

 Java: Integral to large-scale legacy business applications and gaining new relevance through its adoption by Google for Android, Java climbs to #1 in Job Postings and #4 in Average Salary. 

C#:   C# maintains a solid user base through its adoption in the Unity gaming engine, standing at #3 in Job Postings and #6 in Average Salary. 

PHP: The language that powers WordPress, PHP is #7 in Job Postings and #7 in Average Salary. PHP is a general-purpose scripting language used for the development of web applications. 

 C: C is one of the oldest and most widely used programming languages, holding #5 in Average Salary and #5 in Job Postings. What makes this language so tough to learn is partly why it’s so powerful: concepts that are hidden to users in scripting languages like Python and Java are exposed in C, offering more flexibility and complexity.

SQL: SQL (or Structured Query Language) is the standard language for relational database management systems; it is a query language that allows users to draw information from databases. It ranks #8 in Average Salary and #8 in Job Postings. 

What will be the most popular programming language in 2022?

It’s difficult to speculate how these programming languages will fare because the supply of qualified applicants affects the number of open positions. However, Python’s growth will probably continue as companies increase their adoption of data analytics tools, infrastructure software development, and AI tools (areas where Python shines). Javascript will continue to be the ‘language of the web.’

If you’re looking for more information on the usefulness of various programming languages, the TIOBE Index and Stack Overflow provide authoritative reports. Both consider industry demand and incorporate different approaches in determining the usefulness of programming languages.

If you’re a military Veteran or military spouse interested in learning to code, you can apply for one of our cohorts now.

Rod Levy is the Founder and Executive Director of Code Platoon. Rod spent 20+ years in finance and entrepreneurship. He was a Partner at G-Bar Limited Partners, where he co-founded and managed their volatility-arbitrage trading desk (BBR Trading) and was one of the founders of Cerrio, an internal software start-up. He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in engineering from Cornell University, and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he graduated with honors. Rod has also completed Dev Bootcamp’s web developer program.

Each Summer, Code Platoon has the pleasure of gaining an intern through New Sector’s Summer Fellowship program. For three months the selected intern gains firsthand experience in the work we do at Code Platoon, and this year we had not one but two incredibly talented folks join our team. Jewel Hale and Chip Lauterbach, both of whom are Marine Veterans.

“During my summer working with the amazing people at Code Platoon, I was able to get a firsthand glimpse at how a non-profit worked,” Chip says. “I was fascinated by the level of commitment that each member of the team had and even more impressed by the skills of the students that were on display in the class sessions that I observed. Overall, the team with Code Platoon made me feel right at home. The fact that many of my coworkers were also Veterans and that our students all share that connection to the U.S. military made me feel that I could contribute back to my fellow Servicemembers.”

“Working with Code Platoon has been an incredible experience,” says Jewel. “As a Veteran myself, I was very excited to partner with an organization that focuses on improving the lives of Veterans and military spouses.” 

While serving in different departments, Chip rocking the Marketing side of the house with his hit piece Rapid Fire Questions, and Jewel stepping up to plate for the Development submitting a sizable grant for the organization, both experience the same feeling of welcoming to the team and endured the odd challenges that come with the remote work experience. 

“I received such a warm greeting from the leadership and staff, including the department I worked with, the Development team. Alicia and Brenna have been fantastic supervisors and teammates,” says Jewel. “In our weekly meetings, I felt included, like I was a part of the team. Everyone was so encouraging and always offered assistance if I needed it. I was extremely nervous because I had minimal experience working with development, and I was not yet used to working from home. It was really nice to know I had that support.”

“I worked directly with the social media marketing team and seeing all of the hard work that went into making Code Platoon’s online presence take shape gave me the type of experiences that I practiced and studied while in college working on my degree in broadcast journalism,” says Chip. “Journalism and Social Media Marketing are definitely different, but both utilize many of the same tools and online presence. Working remotely from my home in Richmond, Virginia, also presented a challenge, although by now most people have adjusted to work/life during this age of social distancing and my coworkers at Code Platoon made me feel welcomed and were ready to hit the ground running when it came to working on tasks.” 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from those at Code Platoon,” Jewel says. “I have learned so much that I know will contribute tremendously toward my career in the nonprofit sector.” Chip agrees with that same sentiment.

“My experiences here have helped me prepare for the next steps in my life, and I am very grateful to everyone at Code Platoon for this opportunity,” says Chip. “I think more Veterans would benefit from knowing about Code Platoon.”

We are beyond impressed with the hard work and dedication they provided in such a short span of time. While their daily presence in the organization will be sorely missed, we are confident that they will continue to do great things with their careers and we hope that they will remain in contact as members of the Code Platoon family. 

Jewel Hale is Code Platoon’s Summer Development Intern. She served in the United States Marine Corps and is attending Norfolk State University with a major of Sociology. 

Chip Lauterbach is Code Platoon’s Summer Social Media and Marketing Intern. He served in the United States Marine Corps and just recently graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a major in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Political Science. In his free time, he enjoys running around playing games with his daughter and thinks of the great outdoors as his second home.

Being a Teaching Assistant for Code Platoon’s Coding Bootcamp, I often hear questions from each new cohort concerning the pathway to becoming full-stack software developers. It can be nerve-wracking to undergo a training program of any sort, even more so when career prospects come into consideration. As someone who has had some success in the field thus far, I’d like to share my two cents on the going from the classroom to the workforce.

“Should I go for a Computer Science Degree or train with a Coding Bootcamp?”

Attending a Coding Bootcamp or obtaining a CS degree is forever debatable. 

In my personal experience, I have been selected over peers with the CS degrees for certain tasks, but that is not to say that CS degrees don’t have value. Traditionally, computer science degrees provide folks with the basic fundamentals of computer engineering. Additionally, those who hold CS degrees tend to end up in managerial roles. With Coding Bootcamps, you’ll be learning valuable skills that aren’t typically taught in the college classroom, and the hands-on approach to coding cannot be understated. The skills that you learn in a bootcamp are comparable to the workforce. Once in a job, you’ll likely see things done many different ways than you were taught, and the code base itself will be larger than your projects. However, the concepts and basic functionality will still apply.

Each of the education approaches have their own strengths and weaknesses and I will not value nor devalue either approach but rather say instead that both compliment each other well within a team! Regardless of what decision you come to, don’t stress on it. There will always be some companies that just stick to the degree out of principle for certain requirements but it’s fewer than you would think. Even some roles that claim to only be applicable for those with a traditional degree will take on Coding Bootcamp grads. On that note, if you do decide to go the Full-Stack Bootcamp route, as long as it is a reputable program and an in-demand coding language is taught, you’ll have a place in the workforce. 

“How do I know what Coding Bootcamp is right for me?”

Unfortunately, this is a question that only you can answer as there are a lot of different variables for different people. Cost, time spent in the classroom, length of the program and school networks such as alumni or internships are all factors that should be taken into consideration. Again, as long as the educator is reputable and provides training in valuable languages you should be able to land a job that offers great pay, benefits and opportunities especially as the world becomes even more embedded in tech.

Just do some research on the best Coding Bootcamps out there and line up what works best for you.

“Am I stuck in the language I learned or a certain position?” 

Starting out in the language you first learned how to code with would be ideal, but from my own experience… logic is logic and sometimes flexibility is needed. It is entirely likely that you may end up having to pick up an additional language while on the job to complete taskings, but if you’ve gone through a Coding Bootcamp you’ve already been armed with the tools to work through the challenge.

When it comes to applying for positions, “Full-Stack, Front-End, Back-End” are usually in the highest demand but you will learn that there are so many roles within this field and when it comes time to applying, the position doesn’t matter ‘right now’. Just be prepared to do any side of the stack as you will still be on a journey of learning throughout your career and may not know which end you actually prefer until later. Besides, your first job doesn’t have to be your forever job, but it could be if you like it enough. Just keep progressing at your pace and know that you are never truly locked into anything.

“I’m enrolled in a Coding Bootcamp but I’m not the most technologically literate person. Is it possible for me to make it as a software developer?”

My first interaction with coding was through a billboard on the road a few years back. It was an ad to work for USAA that asked a simple question, “DO YOU EVEN CODE?” At the time, I didn’t even know what it meant. I had worked in mostly ‘grunt’ jobs but over time I became more exposed to the world of programming and software engineering in part to friends in the field and a growing interest in the tech world.

What really got my gears started was signing up for some free workshops through General Assembly. I took some UX Design classes and coding courses but knew I had to commit to one or the other. While I enjoyed the creativity of UX more, I figured that coding would grant me more career opportunities and I don’t have any regrets so far with that decision. 

Anytime you learn a new skill, anxiety can creep in, and it is no different in a Coding Bootcamp. You’ll be challenged by some ‘basic’ tech stuff and that’s okay! It can be exciting to be pushed to new limits as well as a bit frustrating at times where it seems like most of your peers ‘get it’ and you’re still trying to wrap your head around ‘Hello World’ but I’ll let you in on a little secret when it comes to learning the trade. Working with the tech and tools is important, but understanding and using logic along with some critical thinking is ultimately the foundation of progressing in the field. The basics that you’ll be introduced to within your Coding Bootcamp or CS program are paramount to the success of your career, so don’t take them for granted.

Good luck out there and happy coding!

Jerry Rogers served as a Ranger in the US Army, is a graduate of UAF, and is a Teaching Assistant for Code Platoon. He learned software development through Skill Distillery and is currently working as a Full-Stack Developer II for Brinks Home. He doesn’t have a middle name but he does enjoy the outdoors. You can find him on LinkedIn.