oDesk says PHP development outstrips demand for all other programming skills

oDesk Trends shows demand for certified Open Source PHP developers is nearly double that of the next closest computer software development and programming skill set.

San Mateo, CA — November 17, 2008 — oDesk, the leading marketplace for online workteams with over 50,000 certified, freelance, Open Source developers and programmers, announced that demand for PHP software development far outweighs demand for all other computer software programming job skills.

“Employers around the world who rely on mission-critical product development and building out their IT infrastructure have spoken,” said oDesk CEO, Gary Swart. “Open Source technology, led by PHP and MySQL, is by far the skill set in highest demand today.”

With over 50,000 small- to medium-sized business buyers in the US, UK, and Australia, and nearly 10,000 jobs posted per month, oDesk reports that worldwide, demand specifically for PHP programmers is nearly double the next closest skill set. At almost 2,000 PHP jobs posted per month, PHP accounts for over 20% of all jobs posted by businesses on the leading preferred marketplace for both buyers and providers.

“PHP is superior to any other coding platform. It’s free, flexible, and offers a massive support community,” explained Nicholas Pregeant, owner of Innovative Web Solutions of New Orleans, and an active oDesk customer. “Plus, the extensive Open Source library of proven PHP and MySQL scripts are customizable, portable, and scalable for almost any web application.”

“oDesk offers screen captures of work in progress that virtually guarantees vendor accountability, and oDesk handles the payments,” said Pregeant. “Because I don’t have to worry about the trust- or back-office issues, I can concentrate on the project. oDesk is the only service that meets my needs.”

Top Jobs list by Programming Skills (jobs per month):
PHP — 2,000
Flash — 1,000
Ajax – 600
ASP — 500
Java — 300

PHP Developers by Country:
India — 2,183
U.S. — 857
Ukraine — 420
Russia — 348
Pakistan — 324
Philippines — 239

About oDesk:
oDesk (oDesk.com) is the leading marketplace for online workteams with the best model for both buyers and providers:

For buyers: guaranteed work – every hour billed is an hour worked. Screen captures of each provider’s desktop taken at random intervals enable buyers to audit the hours and work completed so they have confidence every hour billed by a remote team member is an hour worked. This capability also enables the buyer to collaborate more closely and re-direct the provider if necessary, much like you do when you manage by walking around.

For providers: guaranteed payment – every hour worked is an hour paid without the hassle of invoicing or slow-paying clients making oDesk the preferred marketplace for 125,000+ professional contractors including software engineers, web developers, graphic designers, writers, researchers, admins, and customer service agents.

Contact:
Elizabeth Gordon
Gordon Public Relations
elizabeth @ gordonpr.com
415-595-5538