Java is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, and it’s no surprise that many companies are looking for skilled Java developers to join their teams. 

As a Java developer, you can work on various projects, from building web applications to developing mobile apps. 

According to Mercer Tech Skills and Trends report, Java was one of the most sought-after skills in 2022. Considering these reports, there is no wonder that the average salary of a Java developer is around $106,549 yearly. 

With the increasing demand for Java developers, the job market is becoming more competitive, and salaries are rising. 

Today, we are focusing on the highest-paying Java developer jobs to help you kickstart a new and exciting career in the field of programming!

As per salary data collected by multiple resources including ZipRecruiter, IndeedSalary, and Talent – here are the top Java developer jobs that can help you become a successful Java developer

1. Java Swing Developer

Average Salary: $166,625

Qualification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

A Java Swing developer is a programmer who specializes in creating graphical user interfaces (GUIs) using the Java programming language and the Swing GUI toolkit. Swing is a part of the Java Foundation Classes (JFC) and provides a set of classes for creating rich, platform-independent graphical user interfaces.

Using the Swing API, a Java Swing developer typically designs and develops applications with various components, such as buttons, labels, text fields, and tables. They should also be familiar with event handling, layout management, and other concepts related to creating GUI-based applications.

2. Java Enterprise Architect

Average Salary: $150,000

Qualification:  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

A Java Enterprise Architect is a software professional specializing in designing, developing, and maintaining large-scale enterprise applications using the Java programming language and related technologies. 

They typically have a deep understanding of Java EE (Enterprise Edition) and its related frameworks and technologies, such as JPA (Java Persistence API), EJB (Enterprise JavaBeans), JMS (Java Message Service), and JAX-RS (Java API for RESTful Web Services).

Java Enterprise Architects are responsible for designing the overall architecture of an enterprise application, including selecting appropriate technologies, design patterns, and best practices.

3. J2EE Architect

Average Salary: $150,000

Qualification:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering
A J2EE (Java 2 Enterprise Edition) architect is a professional responsible for designing and implementing enterprise-level applications using the J2EE platform. They have expertise in Java programming and the use of J2EE technologies such as servlets, JSPs, EJBs, and JMS, as well as experience with web services and XML.
They work closely with other development team members, such as developers and project managers, to ensure that the application meets the requirements of the business and is scalable, secure, and maintainable. They also play a crucial role in selecting and integrating third-party software and systems.

4. Java Software Architect

Average Salary: $144,105

Qualification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

A Java software architect is a professional responsible for designing and implementing software applications using Java. They have expertise in Java programming and related technologies such as Java EE (Enterprise Edition) or Spring framework. 

They work closely with other development team members, such as developers and project managers, to ensure that the application meets the requirements of the business and is scalable, secure, and maintainable. They also play a crucial role in selecting and integrating third-party software and systems.

5. Senior Java Software Engineer

Average Salary: $135,204

Qualification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

A senior Java software engineer has significant experience and expertise in designing, developing, and maintaining software applications using Java. In addition, they have a deep understanding of the Java language and its core libraries and experience with related technologies such as Java EE (Enterprise Edition) or Spring framework. 

They are responsible for designing, coding, and testing software components and collaborating with other development team members to deliver high-quality, robust, and maintainable software. 

6. Java Scala Developer

Average Salary: $135,000

Qualification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

A Java Scala developer is a professional with expertise in Java and Scala programming languages. They use their knowledge of both languages to design, develop, and maintain software applications. 

They are responsible for implementing the software using the best practices and design patterns of both languages and for collaborating with other development team members to deliver high-quality, robust, and maintainable software.

7. Java Grails Developer

Average Salary: $133,333

Qualification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

A Java Scala developer is a professional with expertise in Java and Scala programming languages. They use their knowledge of both languages to design, develop, and maintain software applications. 

They are responsible for implementing the software using the best practices and design patterns of both languages and for collaborating with other development team members to deliver high-quality, robust, and maintainable software.

8. Java Consultant

Average Salary: $128,440

Qualification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

A Java consultant has expertise in the Java programming language and related technologies and provides advice and guidance to organizations looking to implement Java-based solutions. 

They use their knowledge of Java, Java frameworks and tools, and best practices in software development to help organizations in application design, development, and maintenance. 

They work closely with clients to understand their needs and requirements and provide recommendations for using Java and related technologies best to achieve their goals. 

9. Senior Java Architect

Average Salary: $127,546

Qualification: 

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering
A senior Java architect has significant experience and expertise in designing, developing, and maintaining software applications using the Java programming language.

They deeply understand the Java language and its core libraries and experience with related technologies such as Java EE (Enterprise Edition) or Spring framework.

In addition, they are responsible for the overall architecture of the software, making high-level decisions for its design and ensuring that it meets the requirements of the business and is scalable, secure, and maintainable.

10. Senior Java Developer

Average Salary: $125,353

Qualification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

A Senior Java Developer is an experienced software developer specializing in Java programming. They typically have several years of experience in software development and are well-versed in various Java technologies and frameworks. 

Their responsibilities may include:

  • Designing and developing complex software applications.
  • Mentoring junior developers.
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software products.

They are also expected to have strong problem-solving skills and be able to troubleshoot and debug code.

11. Java Spring Developer

Average Salary: $124,800

Qualification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

A Java Spring developer specializes in developing applications using the Spring Framework, a Java-based framework for building enterprise applications. Spring developers are responsible for designing and implementing Java-based solutions using the Spring Framework, including the Spring Core, Spring MVC, and Spring Boot modules. 

They also work with databases, web services, and other technologies to create robust and scalable applications. Therefore, they should have a solid understanding of Java programming and experience with the Spring Framework and related technologies.

12. Full Stack Java Developer

Average Salary: $103,564

Qualification:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering
A full-stack Java developer is proficient in all layers of web application development, including the front-end, back-end, and database.

They have a solid understanding of Java programming and related technologies and experience with web development frameworks such as Spring and AngularJS.

They are responsible for designing and implementing complete web applications using Java, from the user interface to the database. They have a good understanding of front-end technologies, like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and back-end technologies, like Spring and Hibernate.

13. Core Java Developer

Average Salary: $99,614

Qualification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

Core Java developers specialize in developing applications using the core features of the Java programming language. They deeply understand the Java language and its core libraries and are proficient in object-oriented programming concepts.

Core Java developers are responsible for designing and implementing Java-based solutions and are typically focused on an application’s back end or server side. 

They use databases, web services, and other technologies to create robust and scalable applications. They also know common Java development tools such as Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA.

14. J2EE Java Developer

Average Salary: $90,995

Qualification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or computer engineering

A J2EE (Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition) developer specializes in developing enterprise applications using Java and the J2EE platform. 

J2EE developers are responsible for designing and implementing Java-based solutions using the J2EE platform, including the various J2EE components such as JavaServer Pages (JSP), Java Servlets, Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB), and JavaServer Faces (JSF).

15. ExtJS Developer

Average Salary: $67,935

Qualification: Java developer certification

An ExtJS developer is a software developer specializing in web applications using the ExtJS JavaScript framework. ExtJS is a JavaScript framework and a product of Sencha, used for building interactive cross-platform web applications with rich user interfaces.

An ExtJS developer is responsible for designing and implementing web applications using ExtJS, including various components such as grids, forms, and panels.

Conclusion

The Java development field is lucrative, with many high-paying career opportunities available. The 15 jobs outlined in this blog post represent some of the highest-paying Java developer jobs today. 

With the right skills and qualifications via a college degree or Java bootcamps, you can find one of the best-paying Java developer jobs that are perfect for you. 

It’s also worth noting that salary is not the only factor to consider when choosing a job. Other essential elements include job satisfaction, location, company culture, and opportunities for growth and development. 

Considering all of these factors, you can find a Java developer job that pays well and aligns with your career goals.