Top 11 Languages To Learn That Pay the Most Money
Learning a new language can be both enjoyable and financially rewarding. But which languages have the greatest earning potential?
The team at the language learning site Preply compiled a list of languages that can boost your earning potential the most. Though learning a language isn’t easy, it could be well worth the trouble.
Methodology
The Preply Language Research team used the job search engine Adzuna to research the number of language-speaking jobs in the United States, their top locations, business sectors, and their average salaries. Because these salaries are averages, and no other qualifications or skills were considered, it’s possible pay could be higher for multilingual speakers.
1: Japanese
Americans who learn Japanese can expect to make an average of $78,075 per year. States with the highest demand for Japanese speakers include California, Texas, Florida, New York, and New Jersey.
2: Hindi
Learning Hindi isn’t easy, but it may be worth it. Americans who speak Hindi make an average of $62,457 per year, and demand is high in several desirable locations like California, New York, and Texas.
3: Korean
Learning Korean makes you eligible for an average salary of $61,562 in the States. Korean speakers are in high demand in California, Texas, New York, and Washington.
4: Italian
American Italian speakers can expect to earn an average of $57,094. States like California, Texas, Florida, and Ohio have the highest need for Italian speakers.
5: German
Those who learn German can make an average of $50,873 per year. However, they may need to move to California, Pennsylvania, or North Carolina to do so.
6: French
French speakers make an average of $47,519 per year. Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, and New York are all in need of French speakers.
7: Spanish
Spanish speakers in the U.S. make an average of $41,121 per year, and they’re in high demand in border states like California and Texas. States like New York and Massachusetts also need more workers fluent in Spanish.
8: Polish
According to the Preply team, speaking Polish can earn you an average of $40,799. States with the highest demand include Texas, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and California.
9: Chinese Mandarin
Learning Mandarin is tricky, but it can help you earn more. Chinese Mandarin speakers make an average of $32,718 and are in demand in desirable states like California, Florida, Texas, and New York.
10: Portuguese
Portuguese speakers make an average of $31,524. States like Massachusetts, Texas, and New York are looking for people who speak Portuguese.
11: Arabic
Learning Arabic could earn you an average of $25,408 per year and make traveling to many places in the Middle East easier. Admittedly, this isn’t a lot, so you might be better off getting some side Arabic translation gigs to supplement your primary income. Arabic is in demand in California, New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
Other Reasons to Learn a New Language
The chance of receiving higher wages is a great reason to learn a new language, but it’s not the only one. There are several other reasons to become multilingual. The following are some of the highlights.
Stave Off Mental Decline
Recent research shows that bilingual individuals experienced a later onset of symptoms of cognitive diseases like dementia compared to their monolingual counterparts. This remained true even when researchers accounted for other factors, like economic status.
Bigger Brain
Learning a new language can increase grey matter volume, which means your brain literally grows. More grey matter density also signifies a healthier brain overall.
Better Attention Span
Language acquisition can help you lengthen your attention span and tune out distractions. As you learn your new language of choice, your brain will have to juggle from its native tongue to the new one, and that juggling forces it to ignore irrelevant information.
Creative Boost
As you learn a new language, you’re sure to pick up bits of the cultures that evolved with it. This means you’ll learn to see the world through new perspectives, which can lead to more creativity.
Better Multitasking
A National Institute of Health study showed that bilingual individuals switch tasks faster than monolingual people. The ability to switch tasks is also an indicator of high executive functioning, which means those who speak more than one language may also be better at planning, organizing, and strategizing.
Better Memory
Challenging your brain to pick up a new language makes it stronger in almost every respect. The new vocabulary that comes with language learning can help increase your memory overall.
Self-Esteem Boost
Learning a foreign language means you’re going to make mistakes, sometimes embarrassing ones. But, eventually, you’ll be conversational, and once you’re talking to a native speaker without stumbling, you’ll find your self-esteem increases.
English Only
Despite its many benefits, multilingualism isn’t the norm in the U.S. Only 20% of Americans speak more than one language.
A Growing Trend
However, multilingualism is increasing. According to Census data, the number of people who speak more than one language in the U.S. has nearly tripled over the last 30 years.
A Linguistically Diverse Country
The U.S. is also one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. Census data says there are over 350 languages spoken in the U.S.
Best Way to Learn a Language
If you’re ready to learn a new language, there are a few things you can do to make it easier. One is to immerse yourself into the new language as much as possible, using music, books, podcasts, and, when possible, practicing with a native speaker.
Use Interconnected Subjects
Another suggestion experts make is to use interconnected subjects. Rather than reading a book on gardening in your new language followed by a podcast on space travel, stick to one subject area where unfamiliar vocabulary is likely to repeat, making it easier for you to learn.
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