Should You Learn to Code? Hell Yeah! Here’s 7 Reasons Why

Ever caught yourself dreaming about building your own website or creating an app that millions could use?

Or maybe you’re eyeing that Silicon Valley-level salary and dream of the big bucks?

Whether you’re looking to switch careers or simply want to add a cool new skill to your toolkit, learning to code is a game-changer.

However, you might have a few questions, like:

• Is AI an issue or will it help me?
• Are there jobs available?
• Silicon Valley's salary is great, but what about for the average company?
• Can anyone do this? Do I need specific qualifications first?
• What other benefits are there?

Don’t worry because I’m going to cover all this and more, in detail, so that by the end of this guide, you’re no longer asking "Should I learn to code?” but “How do I get started today!?”

So let’s dive in…

TL;DR: Why should you learn to code?

I’m going to break down a lot more information in just a second, but here’s the tl;dr mile-high view.

Simply put, coding skills are super hot right now. Every industry you can think of – from healthcare, finance, education, and even agriculture – needs people who can code.

It’s not just about building websites or apps anymore either. Coding is the backbone of pretty much all modern technology. And as our world gets increasingly more digital, the demand for coding skills keeps growing, as you’ll soon see.

Plus, knowing how to code can make you a much more valuable asset to your company, giving you a competitive edge over others who don’t have this skill.

For example

One of our ZTM students recently learned to code on the side as a hobby. He then shared it with his work, and immediately increased his salary, moved departments within the company, and totally changed his quality of life.

So yeah, learning to code is definitely worth it.

If you’re keen to jump in right away but not sure what coding career is best for you, then go ahead and take our tech-career path quiz.

It’ll ask you a series of questions, and then recommend the best career based on your answers, as well as what to learn, in what order, and how to get started ASAP.

If you’re still on the fence and need more information, let me break down the benefits further, give you some specific stats, as well as answer some frequently asked questions.

Benefit #1. A high-demand job market with excellent salary

The job market for coders is booming, offering substantial salary potential and a wealth of job opportunities.

In terms of salary, software developers in the U.S. can expect to earn around $111,000 per year on average, with entry-level positions like junior web developers starting at approximately $61,000 per year.

As you gain experience and specialize, your earning potential increases significantly, with experienced developers earning over $140,000 annually, while those in specialized fields like AI or machine learning can earn even more, often exceeding $150,000.

Sidenote: You can actually go from junior to senior incredibly quickly in software development. I explain the process in this article here.

To be clear, that’s the average salary also.

In places like Silicon Valley, the average salary for a software developer is around $140,000 to $160,000 per year.

And don’t forget, there are also stock options and bonuses which can be insanely high…

Just a cool $605,000 bonus!

As for job opportunities?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 25% growth in employment in software development and information technology occupations from 2022 to 2033, which is much faster growth than the average for other occupations.

This means there will be around 2.3 Million software development jobs by 2032.

And a quick look on ZipRecruiter shows 360,697 open Software Developer jobs available right now in the US alone.

So yeah, there’s a lot of opportunities.

Benefit #2: Learning to code opens up multiple opportunities for career growth

I mentioned moving from junior to senior positions to see higher salaries, but moving to a senior role is not the only option for career advancement when you have coding skills.

In fact, the tech industry offers numerous parallel paths for career growth.

For example

You could even take those skills and transfer them into different specialties such as Data Science and earn between $140,000 to $170,000 per year.

Or you could move into Cybersecurity for great salary and a unique career of hacking or stopping hacks!

(Some cybersecurity professionals are paid to hack systems to see how secure they are - how cool is that?).

It's not that difficult to transition into this field either, as almost all cybersecurity roles need a background in coding languages so you already have a lead in. Then you can simply add in some more specialized cybersecurity skills and easily move across industries.

Job demand in these roles is incredibly high. In fact, as of February 2023, there were 755,743 Cyber Security job openings in the United States alone, with a predicted growth of new jobs becoming available of 32% by 2032.

That’s even higher than software development! (Which makes sense - the more tech in the world, the more we need people to help make it secure).

Benefit #3: Remote work opportunities

Like working from home? Coding is one of the most remote-friendly professions. Both IBM and Microsoft started experimenting with remote work policies as early as the 1970s and 1980s, so it’s pretty much the standard. (They may have even invented the concept perhaps).

If not fully remote, most tech companies have a hybrid option where you only go in 1 day a week (generally when on larger teams). But even then, tech offices are known for their many benefits, such as free food, exercise classes, on-site relaxation facilities, and more.

Better still, some of these remote companies are asynchronous. This means that you work whenever you want. They don’t care if you’re there from 9-5. They just want the work to get done, so log in when you want to.

For example

Remember the ZTM student I mentioned earlier? He moved house to a new city so he could be close to the water and kitesurf every day.

Not bad right? Same salary, better lifestyle!

Benefit #4: Earn extra money with easy freelancing

Want to earn some easy extra cash on the side - perhaps even while still learning to code?

It’s incredibly easy to freelance on the side as a coder. Better still, it helps to build up your project portfolio to share with potential employers.

Freelancing is not bad money either.

For example

A freelance web developer can earn anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour, depending on their expertise and the complexity of the projects they take on.

Sometimes this is just consulting, tech support, or easy site builds.

Benefit #5: Build unique projects, innovate, and impact millions

Once you do start working at tech, you’ll often get to work on projects that have a huge impact. It’s so common nowadays, but when you stop to think it’s kind of insane how much an app or algorithm can change the world.

Rideshare platforms and apps revolutionized taxi hire while self-driving cars and AI that can predict cancer are on the brink of release or going wider mainstream.

Who knows what you’ll get to work on, but I bet it beats what you do right now right?

Even if it’s not a life-changing app, your work will often affect millions of people. It’s pretty cool to think even a booking app can help mom-and-pop businesses book customers and make their lives easier.

Benefit #6: Gain enhanced problem-solving skills

A cool side effect of learning to code?

• You start to think in systems
• And you get really good at problem-solving

This may not seem like much, but by learning to code, you’re enhancing your capacity to think logically, creatively, and strategically, which can significantly impact your professional and personal life.

Daily tasks get easier and less stressful, and you quickly build more confidence in your abilities. If plans change or accidents happen, you can adapt quickly.

When you can face life like this, it’s a lot easier to have a positive outlook and enjoy more. You only have to read some of our student success stories where they’ve learned to code and transitioned into coding roles, to see how much their mindset changed during their learning process.

This is also thanks in part to the next benefit…

Benefit #7: Ongoing personal and professional development

Learning to code is more than just acquiring a new skill - it’s a journey of personal growth and continuous improvement.

One of the things you need to realize is that the tech industry is constantly evolving, with new programming languages, frameworks, and tools emerging regularly. This always changing environment encourages continuous learning and self-improvement.

That’s not to say that what you learn today or tomorrow will be useless. The majority of languages you’ll learn, you’ll keep for decades. But, you won’t get bored either, as new frameworks and tools, and even technologies get added that help you to continue learning long after other industries stop.

It's a compound effect of new skills being added over time. The more skills you pick up and improve, the more you get paid.

It might seem like a lot to learn, but you don’t need to know everything 100%. You just have to stay on top of your game.

It's actually one of my favourite things about the industry. You soon realize that you’re always learning and growing, making it an incredibly rewarding career.

Frequently asked questions about learning to code

As you can see, learning to code is awesome, and you’re probably excited at the possibilities. However, you might also be telling yourself a few reasons why this wouldn’t work for you.

So let’s answer the most common questions that people worry about, and help put your mind at ease.

Can anyone learn to code?

Absolutely! We’ve written about this in detail before, but here’s the tl;dr version.

Coding is like learning a new language or picking up a new hobby. With the right attitude and resources, anyone can do it. The idea that coding is only for tech geniuses is just not true.

First off, there are tons of learning materials out there. From online courses and YouTube tutorials to coding bootcamps and community college classes, you’ve got options.

These resources are designed to help people at all stages, including beginners - so you can start from scratch and go at your own pace.

Is coding hard to learn?

It depends. Like all new skills, there’s a definite learning curve, but nothing you can't do with a little effort and determination.

However, it definitely helps if you follow a set path so that you don’t have to figure out everything on your own and can get there much faster.

For example

We have guides on:

• How to figure out the best tech career for your goals
• The most in-demand tech careers that are hiring like crazy
• The best programming languages to learn first for beginners
• Career paths of what to learn, for any tech role, and in what order
• As well as complete courses that take you from zero experience to getting hired ASAP

Otherwise, you’ll spend yourself learning random unconnected things, without a clear goal.

It’s not just courses and free videos that can help either though. There are countless forums and communities where you can ask questions and get help when you’re stuck, so you’re never alone in your learning journey.

The most important thing to remember is that learning to code (like any new skill) is all about small, manageable steps.

You don’t need to build a complex app on day one. Start with simple projects and gradually work your way up. It’s like learning to cook - you start with basic recipes, and before you know it, you’re preparing gourmet meals.

So, yes, anyone can learn to code. It’s more about your determination and willingness to keep going, even when it gets tough.

You’ll have easier days than others, the same as learning any new skill. However, it’s one of the most lucrative skills you can ever learn (more on this soon).

Do I need a college degree to become a coder?

Nope! Tech is one of the industries in the world, where they don’t care about where you learned. Just that you have learned, and can do the job.

What they look for is:

• Specific skills i.e. you know JavaScript and React
• Proof of those skills in a portfolio, and
• Being able to talk about those skills in an interview

This means that absolutely anyone can do this.

Will AI take our jobs?

Nope! Again, I’ve talked about this in a lot of detail before, but here are the main points:

• AI is far off from being able to actually replace humans
• However, people who learn to use AI to improve their work, so they are more efficient will be more attractive to employers

That’s why we teach you how to code, and how to use AI tools to improve your work here at ZTM.

What’s the best way to learn to code?

We break down the different options here and the pros and cons, so you can see for yourself the option to best fit your needs.

In my (honestly) unbiased opinion though, online platforms are the cheapest, fastest, and easiest way to learn. They are low-cost, have updated and relevant content for the industry, and you can learn from home within 5 minutes of deciding to start.

Zero school or college fees. Same job at the end of it.

Fun fact: A large majority of people in the tech industry learned like this, and so can you. Education choice is one of the lowest barriers to entry. They only care that you understand and can do the work - not where you learned it from.

You just have to decide to start, learn, build projects, and apply for jobs. It’s literally as easy as that.

So what are you waiting for?

Take our tech-career path quiz below to find out the best career for you, and start learning to code today!