Study Analyzes Monetary Benefits of Being Bilingual

Many studies have proven the cognitive benefits of learning a second language, which is especially powerful for children. A new Preply study turns to the career world and the monetary benefits of being bilingual. After examining thousands of job advertisements, the team examined how language skills impact hiring trends, salaries, and career growth potential. Their findings help workers definitively decide whether a bilingual career is worth the study. Results show that salary gaps vary widely across countries, and some languages offer stronger benefits than others. Different industries value bilingual workers more than others too. The team’s analysis is a thorough examination of how bilingual abilities can impact a career.

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Despite variances, the Preply found that bilingual jobs do indeed pay more. The study found that bilingual workers earn an average of $9,353 more a year. In some countries, that amount is even higher, proving that a second language is one of the most valuable skills you can add to your resume.

These are the countries where speaking a second language pays the most:

• Spain – bilingual workers earn 19.4% more than single-language workers
• USA – 18.8% more
• Poland – 18.6% more
• UK – 11.5% more
• Italy – 4.8% more
• Canada – 3.3% more

Not all languages are worth the same salary increase. Research has uncovered five languages that lead to the highest salary increases. Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, German, and Russian are the most lucrative to learn. Japanese is the most valuable language to learn, giving workers a 20.9% salary increase with fluency. Japan is a world leader in engineering, technology, and the automobile industry, so Japanese fluency allows workers to communicate with these world-leading Japanese brands. The value of Portuguese lies in the many countries that speak it, including Brazil and parts of Africa. Italian fluency comes in handy, particularly in the tourism industry.

Speaking of industry differences, bilingual ability is more valued in some sectors than others. These American sectors had the highest number of job openings that required a second language:

• Sales
• Customer Service
• Social work
• Property and real estate
• Education
• Manufacturing
• Logistics
• Consulting and Strategy
• Accounting and Finance
• Healthcare and Nursing
• Marketing and PR
• Hospitality and Catering

Some of the positions this can lead to include call center reps, account managers, nurses, teachers, hotel managers, tech support experts, social workers, and salespeople.

In the USA, Spanish is the most sought-after second language. In Europe, many countries seek German and French speakers. Remember that it’s never too late to start to learn a second language. You’ll still see career benefits. While you may have to invest in hiring a tutor or start a class, this data makes it clear that this investment will pay off in the long run. Learning a second language not only enriches your life but can also open new doors and career possibilities. If you want to change careers, a second language can help you do this, and if you want to advance, a second language might be the key.