Learning how to code can be fun, and it can be one of the most profitable skills you can develop right now. However, the process can be confusing and frustrating to some individuals, and they just end up wasting time. So, why wasting your money and not to get paid to learn code?
To make money with coding, it is important to know how to get started in coding as well as how to maximize your earning potential. So, let’s take a look at some of the different ways that you can make money coding.
The best ways to get paid and learn to code are to sign up with Freelancing Platforms and find an Internship in a well known company. And it’s easier than ever to get paid while learning to code. More advanced opportunities are available such a blogging or starting a social media channel.
We’ll discuss all in details today.
Interesting Software Development Facts
- With annual revenue growth rate of 6.50%, the software market volume by 2027 is expected to reach US$812.90 billions.
- With 13% projected growth between 2020 and 2030, demand for web development jobs is growing faster than the average for all professions.
- Web developers are among the 15 highest paying freelancer-jobs on Upwork.
Get Paid to Learn to Code
It can be hard for beginners to learn to code because there’s so much content out there. Some of these tutorials are utterly useless and don’t offer any value. Not to worry, I have put together a list of the best ways on how to get paid to learn to code that will help you along the way.
1. Search for Internships
The pandemic has led to a big rise in remote work. That means the market for remote coding internships will grow in the future.
Taking part in coding internships is a great way for graduates and self-taught people to gain hands-on experience in the field.
Social media, such as Facebook or LinkedIn, and coding communities are the best places to search for internships. Simply drop there a message and ask someone if they know companies that offer such a position.
Another option are job marketplaces or sites like internships.com that specialize in internship programs.
Some companies even offer “summer internships programs” where you usually have to show proof, that you are already studying something familiar to programming. Try to visit indeed.com and search for Summer Internship Software Developer, and you’ll find at least 5 positions in U.S..
The internship is a great way to get paid while learning programming. You’ll not just learn, but you’ll be interacting with real challenges in the software development world.
And of course, you’ll learn how to master all of them, and this will increase your value in the future.
2. Sign up with Freelancing Platforms
This second option on this list also requires a bit of coding knowledge.
Once you have gained enough confidence to handle small coding projects on your own, you can try freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Guru.com. Not only do the clients push you to your limits, but you’ll also learn more about your chosen programming language.
It is one of the best ways to get paid to learn to code because if you find customers willing to hire you, you’ll join an experienced team that will be of enormous value to you.
You get paid and learn a lot of valuable skills that bring you to another level.
A pro-tip to find your first developer job is to create a great profile, ideally with any of the projects you have already built. Get some inspirations from already existing profiles on fiverr or Upwork.
3. Start a blog
Seriously. This way you can earn a good cash till you learn enough to get your first developer job.
The biggest problem while starting a blog is content production. While learning programming languages, you can transform all you learn into written content and share it with people on your side.
There are many young coders or beginners who would appreciate your advice or guide’s how you have solved the challenges.
It takes a bit of knowledge like SEO and of course, you need to learn how to write.
And how to earn with your blog? Once you have a small audience, you could join any of the affiliate programs.
For example, you could join an affiliate program from any of the learning platforms, like Skillshare, and earn 40% from each customer you refer to them.
So when you think about it, while you share your knowledge, you attract the audience that is also interested to learn. And so you can place affiliate links and recommendations on your website that would recommend Skillshare as good platform to learn coding.
3. Join a Community
Need answers to your questions or want to connect with like-minded people? For that, joining a coding community can be great. There are many famous communities, such as Stack Overflow, GitHub, Developers Forum, etc., where you can get excellent technical support and the exposure you need.
Getting started in coding can be a challenging task, so joining a coding community is a great way to gain experience and get paid to learn to code.
4. Start a social media channel
Very similar concept as blogging, but with different kind of content.
By launching your own social media channel, you can produce videos from your coding journey. Same as with the previous way, you would give coding tips you have learned.
There are thousands of opportunities for interesting content that would attract the right audience.
Depends on the platform you choose, you need to learn the basics of social media marketing. Each platform has a different algorithm, and so your goal is to understand how it works and how to get as many followers as possible.
The monetization would be very similar to a blog. You can either join an affiliate program or find a company to partner with.
As an example, hosting companies are offering the highest commissions. So you would need to reach out to them or sign up for their affiliate program, and promote their services on your channel.
5. Build Projects
Learning isn’t just about getting bookish knowledge, but also about applying it. Putting theory into practice with coding projects will improve your coding skills and give you more confidence.
You can make a simple calculator or a fun game to showcase your work.
YouTube is full of these tutorials on how to build simple things from scratch, so this is a perfect way how to begin your coding career while building your own projects.
While building simple projects, you might record your screen, add comments and publish it on YouTube.
A great way to earn while learning coding.
YouTube pays video creators between 3 and 5 dollars per 1000 video views.
6. Find Jobs
If freelancing doesn’t fit your style, you can simply email or drop your resume at any software company to get paid to learn to code. However, if you want to beat the competition, you’ve got to keep these tips in mind:
- Before applying for a position with any company, you need to make sure that you have the right skills and expertise.
- Get relevant training and courses to boost your resume.
- Select the programming field that you would like to work in.
- Decide if you would like to work full-time or part-time based on your level of commitment.
Highest Paying Coding Skills
Knowing the most lucrative programming languages can be helpful if you’re looking for a job and want to make your career in this field. So let’s have a look at the highest-paying coding skills right now.
1. JAVA
Java is one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in the software industry. It is an object-based programming language that runs on Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
Various software for different platforms has been compiled using Java, including games, desktop/mobile applications, and other software.
Average Salary
The salary for an entry-level job can range from $40,000 to $90,000 per year. However, if you are skilled enough to become a senior-level developer, you can easily earn around $150,000 to $250,000.
Java Learning Roadmap
Before moving on to the technical stuff, brush up on these skills. Knowing Git/Github, a little Linux, the differences between HTTP and HTTPS, and a bit of data structures is helpful.
Now let’s take a closer look at what is involved in the Java learning roadmap and its technical components.
- For prerequisites, you need a working knowledge of Java, Gradle/Maven, and SQL.
- Next comes the Command Line Interface (CLI), which includes Jar, Javac, Jstat, and Jdeps.
- Next, learn about Web Frameworks and Routers such as Spring, Spark, Play Framework, and Jersey.
- Afterwards, we have Databases such as Relational, NoSQL, Search Engines, and Cloud Databases.
- Then we have Caching that includes Caffeine and Cache2k. Further, it includes Distributed Cache like Java-Redis and Commons JCS.
- Then, there’s Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) comprised of Hibernate, Apache OpenJPA, and Eclipse Link.
- Then, we have Logging and Real-Time Communication.
- After that, we have Server Application and API Clients, including REST and GraphQL.
- Next up: Static Code Analysis and Testing, which has Unit, Behavior, Integration, Load Testing, and E2E Testing.
- Next is learning about Task Scheduling and Design Patterns.
- And last but not least, Microservices containing Message-Broker, Message-Bus, RPC, and Frameworks.
2. Python
In today’s day and age, Python is an incredibly popular programming language in the world, and it’s not going anywhere. But why is it so popular?
Python is an easy-to-learn and simple-to-use language for programmers that enables them to write and execute their codes much more quickly than other programming languages. That’s why programmers love it.
Average Salary
A junior-level Python programmer can earn around $50,000 to $70,000 a year. While a senior Python programmer can make between $130,000 to $150,000 per year.
Python Learning Roadmap
First of all, find out where your interest lies as a Python programmer so that you can take the time to learn more about it. There’s a lot to learn, such as Machine Learning, Web Development, Data Analysis and Processing, and many others.
If you know how to use Git/Github as well as Linux, then learning Python should be easier.
Once you have decided which part you would like to focus on, you should first familiarize yourself with the basic concepts like Syntax, Functions, and all other things.
There is a ton of information about Python available on the Internet for free. However, if you are the type of person who procrastinates and needs some guidance, you can sign up for a paid course or a masterclass.
Coding is all about putting things into practice and testing them on a daily basis. It is easy to adjust your pace and make your tasks accordingly when you are enrolled in a course or a Bootcamp.
The only way to become the best of the best is to code every single day. Getting to know a programming language is not the same as mastering it. All it takes is a bit of trial and error before you get it right.
3. JavaScript
JavaScript is a dynamic programming language mainly used to develop web pages. The application works on HTML and CSS, so you will need to have a solid understanding of these two languages to make it work.
JavaScript has become the leading programming language among developers. There are many frontend frameworks and libraries running on the top of the JavaScript. Angular, Vue.js and React are the most popular.
If you are using any SaaS (Software as a service) tool like project management or task management tool, you can assume this was build with one of these popular frameworks.
Average Salary
A junior developer can make around $60,000 to $70,000 a year. However, a senior software engineer can make around $110,000 to $140,000 a year.
JavaScript Learning Roadmap
If you are passionate about web pages, would love to add and test new features, and would like to learn how to make them interactive, then JavaScript is the perfect language for you to learn.
JavaScript is a topic about which there is a lot of free information available, but if you want more in-depth knowledge, it is recommended that you enroll in a paid course or Bootcamp.
Once you’ve gone over all the basics and technical stuff, practice it yourself. In case you’re learning JavaScript on your own and would like some assistance along the way, then this is where the JavaScript community comes into play for you.
Finally, to succeed at anything, you need to practice every day in order to make it become second nature.
4. C++
C++ programming language is a general-purpose language that has been around for a long time. As a matter of fact, you can find it in almost everything from virtual reality to search engines, Operating systems, and even video games.
Average Salary
As a C++ developer, you can earn as little as $52,000 a year or as much as $160,000 a year.
C++ Learning Roadmap
C++ is known for being difficult to learn, but learning this programming language will make you stand out from the crowd.
Due to C++’s difficulty, it’s a good idea to enroll in a course that would assist you throughout the process of learning C++.
Once you have covered all the technical stuff, it is time to practice as much as you can so you’ll get better at C++. Get a firm grip on Functions, Strings, Pointers, and many other essential concepts.
Whenever you get stuck in a situation, you can go online and search for the answer or ask your question in the community to get better help regarding whatever problem you are facing.
The art of coding requires time and practice. Be persistent and make sure that you practice coding on a daily basis.
5. C#
The C# (C Sharp) programming language is relatively new when it comes to programming languages. Microsoft developed this object-oriented programming language in the 2000s. It’s great for building Windows apps, mobile apps, and games.
Average Salary
An entry-level job as a C# developer can earn around $50,000 to $70,000 a year. A senior level C# developer can reach as high as $127,000 a year.
C# Learning Roadmap
There’s no doubt that C# is a powerful language. However, you’ll need to learn C# basics before developing advanced software or websites.
The basics will include learning about the Syntax and variables and learning about .NET Framework and its architecture.
The next step after covering the basics is to loop statements. The use of loops allows you to write a program that automates repetitive tasks, as opposed to having multiple copies of the same code that need to be run manually.
The next step is to learn Functions and Arrays. Functions, to perform a particular function, can be grouped together in code. Whereas Arrays are used to store data.
It goes on and on, but these are the main components of C#. Once you have covered all the topics by enrolling in any course, you can put your new knowledge into action.
Try to make basic apps with C# to get a sense of how it works, and practice making them as much as you can.
This are the most valuable developer skills you can start to learn right now. There are, of course, others widely used programming languages. Check the table below of the “10 Most used programming languages among developers worldwide”:
Best Places to Learn to Code
Now that we’ve looked at the top paying coding skills, let us now take a closer look at the platforms where individuals can learn these programming languages.
1. Learn from Code Tutorials
Taking coding tutorials is an excellent way to learn the basics of coding. Free tutorials are available on the internet that can be very useful in finding your area of interest and getting to know the different available programming languages.
The most popular are freecodecamp, w3schools and developer.mozilla. These sites offer you free knowledge to start learning the basics from coding world.
Once you’ve decided what language you’d like to learn, you can go deep into it and use your skills to get paid to learn to code.
2. Udemy
When it comes to online learning, Udemy is, without a doubt, the best place to go. There’s a course for almost anything, from Accounting to Digital Marketing to Programming. What’s great about Udemy is you’ll have lifetime access to the course, and instructors will help you out.
3. Coursera
Coursera offers a wide range of free courses. A great advantage of Coursera is that it offers Coursera Plus Program, which offers guided projects for learning as well as guided mentoring. A wide variety of courses are offered by professors from Harvard and Stanford universities.
4. Khan Academy
For beginners, Khan Academy is your best bet. Khan Academy not only provides a ton of resources related to programming, but it also offers resources related to Science, Math, and even History, if you want.
There is no need to sign up for the Khan Academy. It also has a gamified learning experience where you can earn rewards as you finish a lesson or achieve your goal.
5. Code School
Code School is an engaging learning community for programmers and developers of all experience levels and aspiring to be the best. One of the best things about Code School is, its free up to five weekly technology courses. Sometimes, it provides full free access to all the platform’s features.
6. Geeks for Geeks
Geeks for Geeks gives geeks all the resources they need. This website offers you a variety of tutorials, content, and test questions that are designed to help you improve your coding skills. There is also a range of coding problems that can be solved here, as well as some interesting geeky discussions that you can participate in.
How Much Do You Get Paid for Programming
As already mentioned in the beginning, programming is one of the most profitable skills you can learn nowadays. Software engineers, cloud-engineer, DevOps or front-end developers are high in demand because.
You can get paid for programming in a range from 60,000 to 250,000 dollars per year in the US. This can vary based on the field, sector, and your experience level.
The biggest tech companies like Google, Meta, or Apple are leading the statistics with the highest paying salaries for developers and programmers. If you achieve higher level, your yearly salary as Senior Developer can easily exceed 300,000 dollars per year (inlc. compensation).
Let’s have a look at how much you can earn with every programming language you plan to learn:
| Programming Language | Average Yearly Salary |
| Java | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| Python | $130,000 – $150,000 |
| JavaScript | $110,000 – $140,000 |
| C++ | $130,000 – $160,000 |
| C# | $120,000 – $127,000 |
As you can see from the table above, java is considered as one of the most valuable programming language based on average yearly salary. Anyway, this is just a statistic. If you are serious about your programming career, I can assure you, you’ll beat any of these stats with every language or skill.
Just focus on to become a professional and companies will be hunting for you with “salary competition”.
The worldwide average looks a bit lower, with 79,240 yearly salary for a DevOps Engineer. Anyway, these salaries are still much higher comparing to other jobs.
The table below shows the 10 highest paying developer jobs worldwide:
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. Hopefully, you have enjoyed reading this article on how to get paid to learn to code and found it helpful. As a coder, persistence, trial, and error, and continuing to learn new skills is what it is all about in the end.
Your choice of programming language is completely up to you. Taking advantage of hands-on coding practice in combination with online learning will allow you to take your coding abilities to the next level.
