Want A Pay Rise? Study Reveals Learning These Languages Could Land You Salaries Over £80,000

Language Learning — Photo Credit: Freepik

In a job market transformed by AI, remote work, and globalisation, language skills are fast becoming one of the most powerful tools for career advancement.

A new study from Learn Spanish with James reveals the top 10 most in-demand languages employers are actively hiring for in 2025, and the results are eye-opening.

The research, led by language expert James Smith, analysed global job postings and salary data from Levels.fyi to create a Language Demand Score (LDS), combining job listing volume (70%) with average salary (30%). The findings show that while Spanish dominates in terms of hiring volume, Dutch speakers command the highest average wages with a staggering £118,333.

The Top 10 Languages Employers Want Most

Rank	Language	Job Listings	Avg Salary (GBP)	Language Demand Score
1	Spanish	14,768	£58,435	100.00
2	French	3,983	£90,476	84.38
3	German	2,186	£85,667	78.59
4	Dutch	366	£118,333	78.35
5	Turkish	1,984	£86,593	78.09
6	Polish	2,093	£81,739	77.59
7	Arabic	1,921	£81,180	76.90
8	Swedish	1,778	£77,180	75.63
9	Japanese	2,221	£66,549	75.16
10	Hindi	1,755	£70,681	74.22

Source: Levels.fyi

Spanish: The Global Career Catalyst

With nearly 15,000 job listings, Spanish is the clear leader in global hiring demand. Its dominance is driven by its status as the second-most spoken language worldwide and the economic rise of Latin American markets.

'Spanish opens doors across multiple continents,' says James Smith, founder of Learn Spanish with James. 'From fintech expansions in Mexico to renewable energy projects in Chile, companies need Spanish speakers to capture these booming markets.'

Dutch: Scarcity Drives Sky-High Salaries

The Dutch may have fewer listings, just 366 globally, but they offer the highest average salary at £118,333. This reflects the Netherlands' role as a European business hub and the limited supply of Dutch-speaking professionals.

'It's interesting how salary levels reflect genuine scarcity," Smith explains. "Dutch speakers command £118,000 average salaries precisely because so few people have these skills relative to demand.'

French and German: Strategic European Assets

French ranks second in demand, with nearly 4,000 listings and an average salary of £90,476. Its value lies in luxury goods, diplomacy, and access to francophone African markets.

'Many of the world's fastest-growing economies are francophone,' Smith notes. 'Businesses need French speakers to navigate these opportunities.'

German, meanwhile, remains a powerhouse in engineering and manufacturing, with salaries averaging £85,667. Germany's leadership in Europe's green transition is fuelling demand for bilingual professionals in the renewable energy and automotive sectors.

Two Career Paths: Volume vs Value

The data reveals a strategic choice for job seekers: pursue high-volume languages like Spanish for widespread opportunities, or target niche languages like Dutch for premium pay.

'Employers aren't just looking for bilingual skills as a bonus anymore, but specifically targeting these language combinations because they unlock new markets and revenue streams,' says Smith.'

Why Language Skills Matter More Than Ever

In today's hyper-competitive job market, technical skills alone may not be sufficient. With AI automating routine tasks and remote work expanding global talent pools, language fluency offers a human edge that's hard to replicate.

'This data should be a wake-up call for anyone serious about career advancement,' Smith concludes. 'My advice? Don't just learn any language; learn it strategically instead. Examine where your industry is expanding, identify language gaps, and stay ahead of the curve. The professionals who do this now will be the ones commanding premium positions in five years.'