It is no secret that the world of tech is moving rapidly, and with every evolution, new career prospects are created. For many tech jobs, in-depth knowledge of Java or Python is essential for success, and experience in these skill sets will open up a world of opportunities in a rapidly growing market.
Python Careers: A cornerstone of the tech industry
Python remains a dominant programming language across many industries, mainly thanks to its versatility, simplicity, and robust ecosystem. According to JetBrains’ State of Developer Ecosystem Report 2024, Python is the second most-used programming language and the most-used language for programming, scripting and markup, with approximately 18.2 million developers using it worldwide.
This continued rise in usage has caused a surge in demand for Python professionals, especially in key areas such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), data science, and web development.
While salaries will vary depending on the role, the sector and the region, this is a competitive market for people looking for Python professionals. Take a look at some of the most in-demand Python jobs and their average annual salaries.
1. Machine Learning Engineer
AI is vital for organizations that want to gain a competitive advantage by optimizing operations and improving customer experiences, and machine learning engineers are key to making that happen. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 22% growth in AI-related jobs by 2030, and a significant proportion of these jobs will be machine learning.
Salary range: $145,000 - $180,000
2. Data Scientist
According to the BLS, data scientist roles are predicted to increase by 36% between 2023 and 2033. This growth is largely due to businesses' need to adopt data-driven strategies to support decision-making and innovation. Data scientists play an important role in not just extracting data but also building a picture of actionable insights from large amounts of complex data.
Python’s dominance is supported by libraries such as NumPy, Scikit-learn, and Pandas, which help to streamline the data processing and model-building processes for optimal efficiency.
Salary range: $130,000 - $160,000
3. Software Engineer
In a world increasingly dependent on tech, there is continued demand for scalable, efficient and user-friendly apps. This constant need means a steady rise in demand for software engineers who are skilled in Python. As a result, it is predicted that demand for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers will rise by 17% over the next ten years.
Salary range: $110,000 - $150,000
4. DevOps Engineer
With the shift to cloud-native architectures and prioritized automation, DevOps engineers are in more demand than ever. Thanks to Python’s capabilities in scripting, automation, and managing infrastructure via tools such as Kubernetes and AWS APIs, Python is valuable for streamlining development processes. According to Gartner, it is likely that 80% of organizations will implement DevOps practices by 2026, which will mean a surge in demand and DevOps opportunities.
Salary range: $125,000 - $170,000
5. Data Analyst
The estimated size of the data and analytics market is anticipated to be nearly $190 billion by 2028, and the World Economic Forum’s Future Jobs Report 2023 predicted a significant rise in demand for data-related roles. This steady growth means high demand for data analysts, and with tools designed to simplify data visualization, tools such as Seaborn and Panda mean that Python is the preferred language.
Salary range: $85,500 - $133,500
For more information about how salaries differ across sectors, roles and regions, take a look at Motion Recruitment's 2025 Tech Salary Guide.
