Report Shows Linux Developers Are Increasingly in Demand

A recent report show that IT departments are increasing efforts to hire Linux developers. The 2015 Linux Jobs Report, which forecasts the Linux job market based on a survey of hiring managers and Linux professionals, was commissioned by the Linux Foundation.

The 2015 Linux Jobs Report includes data from hiring managers (1,010) and Linux professionals (3,446) and provides an overview of the state of the market for Linux careers and what motivates professionals in this industry.

The purpose of the report is to inform the development industry about the latest Linux job trends and how they impact the ability of professionals to find Linux job opportunities. This is the fourth year that the Linux Jobs Report has been produced.

The research for the report was conducted in December 2014, surveying hiring managers and Linux professionals about their Linux jobs needs and preferences. Hiring managers from corporations, small and medium businesses (SMBs), government organizations, and staffing agencies were included in survey. More than 1,000 responded with 66.9 percent indicating their company was headquartered in North America, 13.3 percent in Europe, 6 percent in Asia, 3.8 percent in South America, 1.9 percent in Africa, 2 percent in Mexico and Central America, 0.2 percent in Japan, 1.6 percent in the Middle East, and less than 1 percent in Australia/New Zealand. 

In addition to hiring managers, more than 3,400 Linux professionals responded to the survey, with 27 percent indicating they’ve been working as a Linux professional for 10 years or more.

- Nearly all hiring managers are looking to recruit Linux professionals in the next six months. With new Linux-based systems, projects and products constantly emerging, hiring the right talent to support all the growth continues to be a priority amongst employers. Ninety-seven percent of hiring managers report they will bring on Linux talent relative to other skills areas in the next six months.

- The rise of open cloud platforms is creating even more demand for Linux professionals with the right expertise. Forty-two percent of hiring managers say that experience in OpenStack and CloudStack will have a major impact on their hiring decisions, while 23 percent report security is a sought-after area of expertise and 19 percent are looking for Linux talent with Software-Defined Networking (SDN) skills.

- Linux-certified professionals will be especially well positioned in the job market this year, with 44 percent of hiring managers saying they’re more likely to hire a candidate with Linux certification, and 54 percent expecting either certification or formal training of their SysAdmin candidates. 

The 2015 Linux Jobs Report also includes data about why employers are seeking Linux talent now and what the top incentives are for Linux developers, among other findings.