Scripting language PHP might not be that cool to know these days, but it is very valuable if you're new to the workforce and looking for a tech job in the US, according to job search engine Indeed.
Job listings for entry-level PHP developer roles have increased a massive 834% since January 2020, making it the fastest-growing tech job across the industry, according to Indeed's data[1].
With Wikipedia and WordPress among big sites running on server-side PHP code, it remains one of the most commonly used scripting languages for building websites and web applications, according to Stack Overflow – even if it is considered one of the "most-dreaded" languages to use[2].
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According to Indeed, the US national average salary for an entry-level PHP developer with one to five years experience is $73,334. Other relevant skills for these roles include knowledge of CSS, HTML5, and JavaScript.
Not so glamorous but nonetheless in demand are jobs that fall under the banner of 'junior helpdesk operators' as well as 'entry-level PC technician', or desktop PC support and troubleshooting.
Job listings for junior helpdesk roles have grown 501% since January, while entry-level PC technician listings have increased an impressive 434%. These roles typically require a few years of experience working with Windows, solid knowledge of Microsoft products and good communication skills.
CompTIA A+ Certification is recommended for PC technicians, who are likely to earn the national average salary of $18.37 an hour. The average salary for junior helpdesk roles is $42,542.
The next fastest-growing role by job listings – and a huge step up in terms of salary – is junior enterprise architect. The national average salary for this role is $144,752 and job listings for these roles