What recruiters should know
PostgreSQL was the #1 most-used and most-admired database in Stack Overflow's 2025 Developer Survey for the third consecutive year. 48% of SWEs use PostgreSQL (Gitnux 2026). In 2026, pgvector extension has made PostgreSQL a first-class vector database for AI/RAG applications, significantly expanding its use beyond traditional OLTP. Used by Instagram, Reddit, GitHub, and thousands of SaaS companies. Free, open-source, and enterprise-grade.
In plain terms
Open-source relational database management system
Industry demand
Overall level
very high
Trend
growing
Top hiring sectors
- SaaS & Web Development
- FinTech
- Healthcare
- AI Applications
- Enterprise Software
Proficiency ladder
What each level looks like in the work — behavioural markers, not job titles.
At this level, a developer can…
- Basic CRUD operations
- Simple SELECT queries
- Created tables
- Used pgAdmin