6 Java Career Paths: High Paying and In-Demand

At Codegnan, we have trained 4,000+ students to become Java developers with placement assistance.

So, with our experience and training of Java students for 6+ years, we know the ins and outs of the industry.

Based on our expertise and years of experience, I have written this guide on the best Java career paths based on a bunch of parameters such as:

• In-demand
• Job availability
• Salary scope
• Future career growth

👉 Enroll in our Java developer course (1 month)

• Java course in Bangalore
• Java developer course in Hyderabad
• Java developer course training in Vijayawada

Java developer career paths

1. Junior Java Developer

Junior Java developer is an entry-level Java career path where you are primarily responsible for designing, developing and maintaining high-quality software solutions and fixing bugs or errors under the supervision of senior developers. You can enter this role with basic knowledge of Java concepts, object-oriented programming, and common Java libraries.

Years of experience required: 0-1+

Job Responsibilities:

We have taken a real-time junior Java developer job vacancy post from LinkedIn to understand their responsibilities and key skills required. 

The picture below gives an overview of the key responsibilities of a junior Java developer.

• Junior developers need to work under the supervision of seniors to understand clients’ software requirements and translate them into technical solutions
• They will take part in software designing and code reviewing, besides writing clean and efficient codes based on software specifications
• Developers need to debug and troubleshoot software issues
• They perform unit testing and integration testing during the development phases and assist in the deployment of software solutions
• This role asks developers to contribute to the constant improvement of existing software
• You need to learn continuously and stay updated with industry best practices and technologies 

Key skills required:

• It requires practical experience with Java programming or Kotlin (a revised version of Java)
• You must have in-depth knowledge of the software development life cycle
• Having knowledge of SQL and database management systems is a must for the developer role
• Besides technical understanding, you must have strong problem-solving and analytical skills, excellent communication and interpersonal ability, and can work efficiently in a team
• You must have a passion for learning and adapting to new technology and tools
• Having knowledge of web development technology like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is needed
• Java development jobs require knowledge of version control systems like Git

Average annual salary: ₹3.3 lakhs in India, $1,17,983 in the United States 

2. Android Developer

These professionals create applications for Android devices using Java to build user interfaces, implement app functionality, integrate APIs, and manage data storage. Android developers can start early with a basic understanding of Android SDK, life cycle components, software development principles, and best practices for creating responsive and efficient apps that follow Google’s guidelines. 

Years of experience required: 0-2+

Job Responsibilities

To understand the job responsibilities of Android developers, we have taken a real-time job vacancy post from LinkedIn. Listed below are some of their responsibilities.

• You will be responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining different Android applications.
• Developers need to work in a team to identify and prioritise project requirements.
• They will focus on writing clean, efficient, and well-documented code that meets the application requirements.
• Android developers may also need to troubleshoot and debug the application
• They must stay updated with new technologies and best practices in Android development
• These professionals often participate in code reviewing and contribute to the improvement of overall code quality

Key skills required

• This role requires a strong knowledge of Java programming language and an understanding of the mobile development life cycle.
• You must have practical experience with different Android tools
• Android developers must be familiar with database management systems and APIs
• They need to have work experience with remote data via REST and JSON
• It also asks for practical experience with third-party libraries and APIs and knowledge of version control systems like Git
• They must have excellent problem-solving skills and attention to details
• Having knowledge of cloud-based technologies like AWS is an advantage for Android developers

The image below shows how Java knowledge plays an important role in landing an Android developer job.

Average annual salary: ₹5.7 lakhs in India, $1,09,433 in the United States 

3. Full Stack Java Developer

A full stack Java developer is an expert in working with all layers of web application development with front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and back-end development with Java programming language. They develop end-to-end web applications, design and implement APIs, Manage databases, and create responsive user interfaces.

Years of experience required: 2-4+ years

Job responsibilities

To understand the responsibilities and skills required of full-stack Java developers, we have considered a real-time job vacancy post on LinkedIn. Listed below are some of their responsibilities

• As a full stack developer you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining high-quality software solutions using Java.
• You will work in teams to define, design, and ship new features to the existing system.
• Full-stack developers need to write clean, maintainable, and efficient code.
• They must have knowledge of front-end web technology like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build intuitive web and mobile applications.
• These developers also participate in code reviewing and ensuring the software’s adherence to coding standards.
• They focus on troubleshooting and debugging software issues.
• These professionals play a vital role in the full software development lifecycle, including requirement analysis, design, implementation, testing, and deployment.
• They must stay up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies.

Key skills required

• It requires hands-on experience in different Java Fullstack development projects.
• You must have knowledge of core and advanced Java programming language and related frameworks (e.g., Spring Boot, Hibernate).
• You need experience with front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Angular/React/Vue.js.
• Full-stack developers also need to have a solid understanding of databases (SQL and NoSQL) and familiarity with Agile development methodologies.
• These developers should acquire excellent problem-solving and analytical skills and can work in a team or independently.

In the picture below, we have shared the requirements for a full-stack developer role, which requires strong proficiency in the Java programming language. 

Average annual salary: ₹9.1 lakhs in India, $1,20,792 in the United States

4. SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test)

An SDET is a professional with skills in software development using Java programming and testing them to ensure the best quality solutions. They can develop automated testing frameworks, design and implement test cases, and write code to enhance the testability of the software. 

Years of experience required: 3-4+ years

Job responsibilities

The post below is about the SDET job post vacancy that I found on LinkedIn a few days back. It gives an overview of SDET job requirements.

We have listed a few common responsibilities of SDET in a company

• They are responsible for automating test cases using coding languages like Java, Python, JavaScript, etc., which must be similar to what the software developers use
• SDET collaborates with software development in reviewing unit tests and integration test
• These professionals are responsible for creating a branching strategy and policies to ensure high-quality automation deliverables
• You need to analyse and communicate your test results and defects to Developers 
• SDET assist in the planning, creation and control of test environments and essential test data
• They participate in the review of QA procedures and provide recommendations for improvement in the system to eliminate redundancies in testing and improve efficiency
• Some professionals may also be required to mentor their team and individuals on trending automation practices, designs and implementation

Key skills required

• They must have 2-5 years of coding experience with Java or Python.
• These professionals need practical knowledge of software testing methodology and have good programming skills and an automation mindset
• SDET roles require a solid understanding of testing principles and methodologies and proficiency in debugging issues
• It is good to have practical experience in API testing, Mobile Testing and Web Testing, and writing Web and API automated tests for this role
• Additionally, an excellent understanding of Automation Tools like Selenium with Java, REST-Assured, or any similar tool is a must 
• You must also acquire skills in writing SQL/MySQL for data validation and gather experience in Test management tools like JIRA, Bugzilla, CONFLUENCE or any defect tracking tool.
• If you can crack a global examination like ISTQB Foundation certification, it will be a plus for the position 

Average annual salary: ₹27 lakhs in India

5. Java Software Architects

Java Software Architect is a senior level Java job role who focuses on designing and overseeing the overall structure of Java based software and applications for small businesses to enterprises. They create high level blueprints for software and ensure all client requirements match with the product.

Years of experience required: 6-8 years

Job responsibilities

To understand the job responsibilities of Java Software Architects, we have taken a relevant Software Architect job description from LinkedIn. Listed below are some of their responsibilities

• They need to define and implement architectural strategies for customer-facing applications, focusing on scalability, security, and user experience.
• Architects will arrange meetings with clients to understand their requirements and translate them into architectural solutions.
• These people are responsible for leading the evaluation and selection of technologies and frameworks to best meet the needs of our customer-facing systems.
• The seniors will guide and mentor development teams in best practices, design patterns, and technologies to implement the architecture.
• You will take part in overseeing the performance and scalability of customer-facing applications, ensuring they meet the highest standards of reliability and user experience.
• They must stay updated to emerging technologies and industry trends, assessing their applicability to our goals and incorporating them into our architectural roadmap.
• Architects must ensure compliance with regulatory standards and best practices in cybersecurity.

Key skills required

• You must have practical experience in software development and architecture, with a focus on customer-facing applications.
• You should know how to design and implement scalable, high-availability application architectures.
• They need to have an in-depth understanding of Java concepts to assist developers in translating client requirements into architectural solutions.
• Java architects must have knowledge of cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and experience with SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS models.
• They require knowledge of modern architectural patterns (e.g., microservices, serverless) and frameworks and practical experience with DevOps practices and tools, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing.
• This role requires an understanding of the regulatory standards and compliance requirements in the industry relevant to customer-facing applications.
• Having excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to lead teams is important along with knowledge in mentoring developers.
• Additionally, these professionals must have strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with good attention to detail.

The image below shows how knowledge of Java can help you on the software architect career path. 

Average annual salary: ₹22.3 lakhs in India, and $1,72,743 in the United States 

6. Java Subject Matter Expert

A Java Subject Matter Expert (SME) possesses advanced knowledge and experience in Java programming language and its ecosystem. They excel in designing and developing scalable applications, optimizing performance, and resolving complex technical challenges. SMEs often guide teams, offer strategic insights, and stay updated with the evolving trends and best practices in Java.

Years of experience required: 3-5+ years

Job responsibilities

Subject Matter Experts have different roles in a company. We have taken a senior level Java back-end subject matter expert vacancy post from LinkedIn to get an overview of what these professionals do. 

• They offer in-depth knowledge of Java concepts and hands-on training in institutions or in corporate offices to train employees.
• SMEs often assist in solving complex technical problems related to Java 
• They can take part in code reviews to ensure compliance to coding standards, security measures, and architectural guidance 
• These experts assist developers in understanding errors and bugs within software during initial development phases
• You, as a Java SME need to learn continuously and stay updated with industry best practices and the use of tools and frameworks 
• These experts can mentor juniors in designing and developing high-quality Java based software and applications 
• They often conduct workshops, seminars, and webinars to upskill team members

Key skills required

• These experts must be proficient in Core and Advanced Java concepts including object oriented programming and exception handling
• Practical experience with Java SE, EE, and related technologies like JSP, Servlets API, JDBC, etc., is a must 
• Must understand popular Java frameworks like Spring, Hibernate, Java server faces, and Play framework, along with practical experience with their features
• They must have practical experience with relational databases like MySQL and NoSQL databases like MongoDB
• Knowledge of DevOps practices and tools, including continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, containerization (e.g., Docker), and orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with build tools such as Maven and Gradle.

Average annual salary: ₹8.5 lakhs in India, $95,542 in the US

Is Java a good career path in 2024? 

Yes Java is a good career path in 2024. Even after so many years since its launch by Sun Microsystems in 1995, it is still used by software developers. I have shared a few valuable insights on the Java industry demand, career scope, job availability, salary scope, and early market entry.

1. Industry demand

Java ranks among the top 10 programming language and has been inthe industry for more than 28+ years and still is highly demanded by software developers.

The below graph represents the top 10 programming languages used by developers in 2023.

To understand the search demand for “Java” in India over the last five years, we have used Google Trends. The graph below represents that search demand, and it shows an upward rise.

2. Job opportunities

Java is still popular in enterprise-edition software development. This programming language is used by several small to large-scale companies, so you can find good job opportunities.

We searched on LinkedIn for Java job roles, and found 5,600+ Java developer job vacancies in India. If you are choosing other career paths, you will have thousands of vacancies, which make Java a good career in 2024.

3. Competitive salary

Java career paths offer attractive salary packages to individuals. Listed below are some of the high paying Java roles in India.

Career path	Average annual salary in India
Java back-end developers	₹2.2 lakhs to ₹14.0 lakhs
Senior Java developers	₹4.6 lakhs to ₹26.3 lakhs
Java Architects	₹15.0 lakhs to ₹45.0 lakhs
Software Engineer	₹2.8 lakhs to ₹16.0 lakhs
Full stack Developer	₹1.8 lakhs to ₹16.0 lakhs
Database administrator	₹6.1 lakhs to ₹25.0 lakhs
QA Business analyst	₹3.5 lakhs to ₹16.0 lakhs
Java Enterprise Architect	₹15.0 lakhs to ₹45.0 lakhs
Java Project Manager	₹10.3 lakhs to ₹22.0 lakhs
Chief Technology Officer	₹ 12.0 lakhs to ₹102.0 lakhs

4. Early market entry

You don’t have to wait for years to get a job with Java training. Java developers can start their careers with entry-level job roles after completing their courses. If you can gain some experience working on individual projects or complete an internship program, you can find high-paying junior Java developer roles.

This LinkedIn post is for hiring Junior Java developers. You can see there is no requirement for industry experience; only a graduation degree and proficiency in Java programming will do. If you can show your individual projects to recruiters, that would be a plus. 

5. Healthy work-life balance 

Java developers enjoy a healthy work-life balance as companies are adopting a hybrid work culture, where they don’t have to visit the office daily and work from home.

The picture below is taken from AmbitionBox. It shows Java developers at TCS rated their work-life as 4.1 out of 5.0, which is good. 

Java developer career opportunities in India 

We have listed some of the top Java developer career opportunities in India along with their experience, role type, salary and primary responsibilities.

Java career	Experience required	Role type	Average annual salary	Primary responsibility
Java Android developer	1-3 years	Junior level	₹5.7 lakhs	The primary responsibility of such developers is to design, develop, test, and maintain Android applications and improve existing applications using the Java programming language
Java EE developer	3-5+ years	Mid-senior level	₹4.8 lakhs	They specialize in developing enterprise edition applications that can handle massive loads and provide critical functionalities for large-scale business operation
Web developer	0-2 years	Entry-level	₹4.7 lakhs	Web developers are primarily responsible for designing, building, and maintaining web applications, improving website speed and efficiency, and identifying and fixing issues in website functionality
Java Development lead	5+ years	Mid-senior level	₹23.2 lakhs	The primary responsibility of a Java development lead is to guide the team, oversee project architecture, ensure code quality, set technical standards, and align development efforts with business objectives
Java Subject Matter Expert	3-5+ years	Mid-senior level	₹8.5 lakhs	Their primary role is to provide technical expertise to students and upskill company employees, solve challenging problems, and provide hands-on training on complex projects.

What Do Java Developers Do?

A Java developer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining web or mobile applications and enterprise-edition applications and software based on Java. These professionals also focus on testing and debugging software before releasing the product to the market. However, the responsibilities of a Java developer are not the same everywhere, and it largely depends on their role and company requirements. 

We have listed a few common responsibilities of a Java developer below, irrespective of their role.

• Take part in all stages of the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) framework.
• Design, implement, and maintain web and mobile applications and software using Java codes
• Analyse user requirements on SRS (Software Requirement Specification) to define company objectives 
• Focus on testing and debugging of software and applications
• Managing the development cycle of Java and Java EE application
• Ensuring the software design follows industry standards
• Maintain the software, along with focusing on its constant improvement and assisting clients with any unexpected problems after releasing of the product

The picture below illustrates the story of an individual becoming a Java expert, as shared on Reddit. 

Skills and prerequisites to become a Java developer 

1. Knowledge of the Java ecosystem 

Having an indepth knowledge of the Java ecosystem is essential to make use of it in designing, developing and testing any software or application.

The Java ecosystem is a platform that comprises multiple resources and essential tools for creating various applications. It mainly contains three parts: the Java virtual Machine, the Java runtime environment, and the Java developer kit. 

1. The JVM: Java Virtual Machine provides a runtime environment to developers where you can load, verify and execute Java bytecodes
2. The JRE: Java Runtime Environment is a communication link between your Java program and the operating system. The JRE provides multiple libraries and resources or tools developers require to run a program efficiently.
3. The JDK: The JRE and the JVM combined form the Java Developer Kit for software and web developers.

2. Knowledge of object-oriented programming

Object-oriented programming is the base of Java when software developers are introduced to classes and object-style coding by combining data and functions. The key concepts to learn include classes and objects, inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, abstraction, and interfaces. Each is focused on enhancing code efficiency, safety, and stability.

3. System design and architecture

Not only Java developers but all software developers need to understand design patterns and software architecture principles to create solutions that can handle large amounts of data. With proper system designs, you can keep your project modular. This allows you to make future adjustments only on a few modules rather than restructuring the whole project.

4. Java build tools

As a developer for larger Java-based projects, knowledge of build tools is essential as they can automate some of your day-to-day activities. It includes downloading dependencies, compiling source code into binary code, packaging that binary code, running tests, and deploying it into production systems. Some popular Java build tools available for developers are Ant, Maven, and Gradle.

5. Basic knowledge of web technologies

This isn’t essential for all Java developers unless you are applying for a full-stack Java development role. Knowledge of web technologies helps you build rich, intuitive, and dynamic web applications. Most Java projects require knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

6. Familiarity with SQL databases

Most software and applications use an SQL database to store their data, and Java developers must be familiar with these databases to perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) operations. 

You must know the Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) API, which connects Java-based software and applications to different databases. 

7. Code version control

Knowledge of code version control systems is essential for Java developers, especially for full stack developers working on website development for monitoring, managing, and modifying code changes throughout the project. One popular version of the control system is Git, which helps developers find mistakes and correct them quickly. 

8. Use of Java testing tools

Besides coding, Java developers can also test their codes with use cases. It allows them to detect errors during the development phase, reducing expenses in handling them during run time or after deployment. Testing tools like TestNG and Selenium help them automate the code testing with a separate database, and they do not need to use the browser to launch them. 

9. Understanding of web frameworks

Web Frameworks help Java developers with inbuilt components, libraries, and tools to easily design, develop, and deploy web-based applications uniformly on the Internet. Spring MVC, Play, JavaServer Faces (JSF), and Vaadin are the popular web frameworks you must know. 

10. Java EE components

If you are building server-side enterprise edition Java software or applications, you must understand the various EE components. Some of its essential components are JavaServer Pages, Servlet API, and Java Beans.

11. Additional Skills

We have listed a few additional skills that Java developers must have

1. Use of Agile methodologies
2. Understanding of micro-services architecture and RESTful API Development 
3. Unit testing using JUnit and Mocking Frameworks 
4. Containerisation with Docker and Kubernetes
5. Knowledge of cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud 
6. Effective communication skills 
7. Problem-solving and analytical thinking
8. Teamwork and collaboration
9. Emotional intelligence and empathy 
10. Time management 
11. Attention to detail 
12. Continuous learning and self-improvement

How much do java developers make? 

Java developers make ₹5.7 lakhs on average in India for entry-level jobs. 

We have listed the average annual salary of Java developers in the top 5 cities of India

Top 5 cities in India	Average annual salary of Java developers
Bangalore	₹6.1 lakhs
Hyderabad	₹6.1 lakhs
Pune	₹6.0 lakhs
Noida	₹6.0 lakhs
Mumbai	₹5.9 lakhs

The average annual salary of Java developers in the US is $1,17,990, with an average base pay of $82T – $1L per year.

Top five cities in the US	Average annual salary of Java developers
New York	$1,40,655
Los Angeles	$1,35,560
Chicago	$1,13,891
Houston	$1,14,238
Phoenix	$1,11,846

How Difficult is Java?

Java isn’t a difficult programming language if you understand its syntax and concepts clearly and implement them in real-time projects. It has been in the industry for more than 28+ years and is the most widely used programming language globally, which means you have consistent support from a large community and access to many resources available on the internet. This makes learning Java and implementing it in projects easy. 

As an open-source language, Python offers several features, libraries, and frameworks for developers to build small-scale projects. Moreover, if you write code in Java, you can run it on any operating system.

As a beginner, learning Java can be a little challenging, and it requires hard work and determination to get better at it. Firstly, you need to learn OOP concepts and then understand verbose Java Syntax. Additionally, you need knowledge of databases, Version Control Systems, IDE, and more, which can be initially challenging. You can enroll in the right Java course or self-paced lectures that cover fundamental knowledge and use real-life scenarios for better understanding.

The graph below states the best possible ways you can learn Java or any other programming language. 

Java course certification to start your career

If you don’t want to lose any opportunity for Java developers on LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and other job portals, enrol for a reputed Java certification course. But choosing the right one is difficult!

We suggest you try Codegnan. It makes your Java certification path easy. Not only can you get an industry-accredited certification upon course completion from Codegnan, we also prepare you with all basic concepts for any global certification examinations. 

You can find both online and offline Java training courses at Codegnan. You can find training institutes in Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Vijayawada. We follow a practical approach to learning so that all our learners get good exposure to real-world project development.

Our Java course syllabus covers basic concepts of Java, its syntax, data types, Object Oriented programming concepts, Interfaces, multithreading, and more. You will get practical sessions after almost every module to gain a better understanding.

This is a basic Java training course, so you can either opt for an advanced course, prepare for global certifications, or join Codegnan’s Job Accelerator Program. It offers you a job in 100 days after thorough training under top industry experts.

Codegnan is rated 4.8 out of 5 on Google by 2,391 people, which ensures you can trust us for career building. 

We have successfully trained 30,000+ students with 2800+ students placed in 1250+ companies. This is a great success for us to share. We are planning for more placement drives for our students, help them with resume building and provide interview preparations with Java interview questions.

Oracle University offers a range of global Java certification opportunities that you can try.

FAQs 

Which pays more Java or Python?

Java pays slightly more than Python; however, that depends on multiple factors like location, experience, responsibilities, skills and expertise, company size, etc. 

For example, in the data science industry, both Java and Python professionals are offered nearly similar salary packages. You must look carefully at what the company provides to its employees before applying for their vacancies. 

What type of jobs can I get after learning Java?

You can get multiple types of jobs after learning Java, like web development, game development, business analysis, Java architect, Big Data Engineer, Front-end or Back-end developer, Full Stack Java Developer, DevOps Engineer, QA Engineer, Subject Matter Expert, and more.

Is learning Java enough to get a job?

Yes, learning Java is enough to get a job, but you need regular practice to implement your learning into real-world Java projects. If you enrol in Codegnan’s Java course or their 100-day Job Accelerator Program, you will immediately launch a job or an internship opportunity after course completion. 

As a fresher, which course is better, Java or Python?

Python is suitable for freshers, but Java ranks on top because if you are starting with Java, you can switch to any other programming language easily. It is a mature programming language covering essential concepts required for software and application development. You can work on small applications under the supervision of industry experts and later upskill yourself for Enterprise Edition (EE) applications. 

Can I switch my career to Java from another programming language?

Yes, you can switch to Java from another programming language, but switching from the same family programming language is easy. For example, you can switch from C, C++, Python, Perl, PHP, and Ruby to Java. Languages from the same family have similarities in syntax, libraries, frameworks, etc. 

How does a Java backend developer differ from a full-stack developer?

Java back-end developers focus on building server-side applications using Java language, while full-stack developers work on different layers of an application, including its front-end development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and back-end development with Java-based technologies. 

Is it difficult to get a job as a Java developer in India?

No, it is not difficult to get a job as a Java developer in India if you have the right skills, proper hands-on training, experience with individual projects, an attractive resume, and an understanding of interview questions. You can start as a junior Java developer and focus only on designing and developing Java applications under the supervision of senior developers.