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The Linux Foundation and edX’s 10th Annual Open Source Jobs Report found that employers were struggling to recruit open-source talent, especially people with cloud and container, Linux, and DevOps skills. It also found that many employers used training to address skills gaps and were willing to pay for certifications. These are historical survey findings: the survey was fielded online in March 2022, not a measure of the 2026 job market.
What the report measured—and when
The Linux Foundation produced the report with edX to examine open-source career trends, in-demand skills, motivations, recruitment and retention, and diversity. Survey development took place in February 2022, followed by an online survey in March. The June 2022 release reports responses from 1,672 open-source professionals and 559 people with hiring responsibility. Respondents self-identified as open-source technology users or contributors, or as people recruiting or hiring them; the results should not be treated as a census of all workers or employers.
The findings below describe what respondents reported in 2022. They can help explain the issues employers and professionals were discussing then, but they do not establish present-day hiring conditions or prove that any one skill, training route, or credential causes a job offer. See the full report and the June 22, 2022 announcement for the publisher’s materials.
Are open source jobs hard to get?
The report points to a two-sided picture: employers said recruiting was difficult, while many expected to keep hiring. The Linux Foundation reported that 93% of employers had difficulty finding enough open-source talent. It also said 46% planned to increase open-source hiring over the following six months. These figures describe employer responses in 2022—not the odds of an individual applicant getting a job, and not a current hiring forecast.
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Recruiting difficulty is not the same as easy access for every candidate. The report’s headline statistics do not tell readers how many openings were available to a particular applicant, how competition varied by role or region, or what salary a candidate could expect.
What skills are in demand in open source?
In the report’s employer-side results, cloud and container knowledge led the named skill categories. Linux and DevOps were also prominent, and cybersecurity skills affected hiring decisions. The figures below are reported demand or influence, not a ranking of guaranteed job prospects.
| Skill area | 2022 report finding |
|---|---|
| Cloud and container technologies | 69% of employers said they sought these skills. Linux Foundation, 2022. |
| Linux | 61% of hiring managers identified Linux skills as in demand. Linux Foundation, 2022. |
| DevOps | Identified by the publisher as a leading area of demand after cloud/container and Linux; a comparable percentage is not stated on the report summary. Linux Foundation, 2022. |
| Cybersecurity | 40% of employers said cybersecurity skills had a major impact on hiring decisions. Linux Foundation, 2022. |
The categories overlap in practical work: cloud infrastructure relies on Linux systems, containers, and operational practices, while security considerations can shape decisions across those areas. That is a useful way to think about skill-building, not a claim that the survey measured a particular combination or that learning one category guarantees employment. The Linux Foundation’s article about the report and skills training discusses related training and certification offerings.
How are employers closing open source skills gaps?
Employers reported a mix of developing skills internally and bringing in outside expertise. The Linux Foundation’s 2022 summary said 43% named training as their most common approach to closing skills gaps, while 41% hired consultants. The report also compared these responses with delaying projects; the summary does not provide a percentage for that action.
| Reported response | 2022 finding |
|---|---|
| Training | 43% said it was their most common approach to closing skills gaps. Linux Foundation, 2022. |
| Hiring consultants | 41% said they hired consultants. Linux Foundation, 2022. |
| Delaying projects | Included among reported responses to skills gaps; a comparable percentage is not stated in the report summary. |
These are reported employer actions, not evidence that training or consulting solved the gaps. For an individual, employer-supported training may be one route to developing relevant skills; the report does not establish which courses are best for a particular role.
Do certifications help you get an open source job?
The survey suggests employers valued certifications, but it does not show that a credential by itself secures a job. The Linux Foundation reported that 90% of employers said they would pay for certifications, and 69% said they were more likely to hire a certified open-source professional. Those are employer preferences, not a measured hiring experiment or a promise of employment.
For a candidate, the practical implication is to treat a certification as one possible way to demonstrate structured learning, alongside relevant experience and the skills required by a role. The report does not compare certification providers, quantify a credential’s financial return, or show how much a certificate changes an individual applicant’s chances.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the findings mean for professionals and employers
For professionals, the 2022 survey offers a historical signal about which areas employers then emphasized: cloud and containers, Linux, DevOps, and cybersecurity. It also suggests that training and certifications were part of employers’ responses and preferences. Use those findings as context when evaluating a learning plan, not as a substitute for checking current job descriptions in your target location and specialty.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For employers, the reported reliance on training and consultants shows that respondents were addressing skills gaps through both internal development and external support, while some also faced project delays. The report does not establish which approach was most effective or least costly.
How current are the report’s conclusions?
The survey was fielded in March 2022 and the report was released that June. Its percentages are respondent findings from that period. The materials cited here do not establish current wages, credential return on investment, or 2026 hiring volumes. Anyone making a present-day career or workforce decision should compare the report’s historical snapshot with newer, role- and location-specific information.
For the publisher’s overview, see the Linux Foundation report page. The report is also listed in Linux Foundation Research. In the press release, edX founder and 2U Chief Open Education Officer Anant Agarwal said: “We see modular, stackable learning as the future of education and it’s promising to see employers continuing to recognize these alternative paths to gain the skills needed for today’s jobs.”
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