Open positions
60
838
Java is sought in 14 times as many job ads.
Interactive technology comparison · 32 languages & frameworks
R vs. JavaComparison, differences & use cases
R and Java compared: differences, strengths and use cases – with the job market live from real postings and suitability per use case.
- Active jobs
- 60
- Since
- 1993
- Typing
- dynamisch
VS
- Active jobs
- 838
- Since
- 1995
- Typing
- statisch
Java leads in 6 of 8 use cases.
Live from 7,804 jobs
Who wins on the job market?
Real figures from all IT jobs currently published on Jobriver – not estimates. Every number states its basis.
Remote or hybrid
Basis: 60 and 838 jobs respectively
Senior & lead
Junior jobs: 9 and 76 respectively
Salary according to job ads
R
€61,500n = 46
Java
€61,000n = 671
Top cities for R
Top cities for Java
Editorial assessment
Suitability by use case
0 to 100 per use case. Hover over an axis for the values – everything is listed as a table below.
2:6use cases ahead
| Use case | R | Java |
|---|---|---|
| 1Web backend | 20less suitable | 90excellent fit |
| 2Frontend & dashboards | 15less suitable | 30less suitable |
| 3Data science & ML | 95excellent fit | 55suitable |
| 4Mobile apps | 5less suitable | 70good fit |
| 5Systems programming | 10less suitable | 55suitable |
| 6Scripting & automation | 60suitable | 45suitable |
| 7Game development | 5less suitable | 55suitable |
| 8DevOps & cloud | 20less suitable | 70good fit |
Profile
Side by side.
RJava
1993
Year released
1995
Funktional, statistisch
Paradigm
Objektorientiert
dynamisch
Typing
statisch
Performance
Popularity
Learning curve (lower = easier)
R ist auf Statistik, Datenanalyse und Visualisierung spezialisiert. In Forschung und Data Science weit verbreitet, außerhalb davon kaum.
Java ist statisch typisiert, läuft auf der JVM und ist seit Jahrzehnten Rückgrat vieler Unternehmensanwendungen. Sehr stabil, mit starkem Tooling.
Market demand is based on real, active IT job ads on Jobriver. The 1-5 ratings are editorial assessments.
Strengths & weaknesses
What speaks for which?
R
Pros
- Unschlagbar für Statistik & Visualisierung
- Riesiges Paket-Ökosystem (CRAN)
- Standard in Forschung & Data Science
- Schnelle explorative Datenanalyse
Cons
- Außerhalb von Statistik kaum nutzbar
- Performance bei großen Daten begrenzt
- Eigenwillige Syntax
Java
Pros
- Sehr stabil und ausgereift
- Exzellentes Tooling und riesiges Ökosystem
- Plattformunabhängig über die JVM
- Hohe Nachfrage im Enterprise-Umfeld
Cons
- Vergleichsweise viel Boilerplate
- Höherer Speicherverbrauch
- Weniger modern als jüngere Sprachen
Finder
Which one suits you?
How we calculate: average suitability for your use cases, +15 % weight per selected priority (learning curve, performance, jobs relative to the leader). Tie → alphabetical.
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What is the difference between R and Java?
In the suitability comparison R leads in 2 and Java in 6 of 8 use cases; in the rest both are level. R fits Data science & ML best, Java fits Web backend best.
How many jobs are there for R and Java?
Currently 60 open IT jobs on Jobriver mention R, and 838 mention Java. Of these, 22 and 389 respectively are remote or hybrid.
Is R or Java better for starting a career?
For career starters there are currently 9 jobs with R and 76 jobs with Java; for senior and lead roles there are 6 and 215.
Where are most jobs for R and Java?
Most R jobs are in Berlin, most Java jobs are in Köln.
What do you earn with R compared to Java?
In job ads with a salary, the median annual salary for R is EUR 61,500 gross and for Java EUR 61,000 gross (median of 46 and 671 ads).
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