Current demand for programming

Hello fellow forum dwellers, I'm wired into the internet today to ask a few questions regarding the demand for programming,
This includes:
What languages are in demand in this day and age
What rates are currently considered average or normal for a paid programmer
What the future offers in regards to developing goes

This general curiosity is open to all other bits and bobs, two cents and opinions. Please share with me your advice for a beginning programmer, opinions on preferred languages and perhaps even a story about how you started programming or a tortuous time in your life that required the skill!

Merci du partage!