Google and Facebook -- two of the biggest software companies are incredibly C++ focused -- especially in backend/infra. To a lesser extent Microsoft and Amazon are the same. And as others mentioned, trading farms love C++ too.

Essentially, in 2020, the highest paying software companies in the world all are heavily invested in modern C++. Knowing modern C++ is the biggest advantage you can have in the market. But you won't know that from reading the HN comments section.

That's nice to hear! I need some C++ projects to show, then

Investment banks and trading shops are always looking for new grads for C++.

They can afford to demand competence, and they need it. But they don't always get it.

They are the reason it can be hard to hire qualified C++ programmers elsewhere. You compete for the rest who find Wall Street and monopolists both morally repugnant.

I would say programming is really difficult and it is hard to find competent(pick an arbitrary line in the sand) for any skill let alone programming. Pick a field, and the web is stuffed full of people with battle stories of cleaning up after other people. This is actually a point or two against C++ as the breadth of it is so large. The trick, as in any practice, is to find motivated people willing to learn that are not stubborn in their set ways.

Agreed. Also, robotics & controls

I can vouch for that.

c++ are heavily used when a company need to push out more performance out of hardware through software, rather than just buying more hardware. When ever I hear someone wanting to get into game development I mention c++ as the standard language for that, but naturally there are many other places where performance in software can have a large impact on revenue or in reducing costs.