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Software Developers

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $135,980 Median per year · $65.38/hr Most earn $82,460–$214,670

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
  • Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
  • Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design.
  • Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design.
  • Monitor functioning of equipment to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
  • Coordinate installation of software system.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth; Numerous Job Openings

United States
10% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 95,300 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Computer systems design and related services29.4%
  • Software publishers10.0%
  • Management of companies and enterprises5.6%
  • Computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services4.4%
  • Credit intermediation and related activities3.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Often remoteExperience before this job: 6 to 8 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 6 to 8 years

Software developer is usually not a first job straight out of school. Most people earn a bachelor's degree, then spend several years in related entry roles before taking on developer work, often around 6 to 8 years in total.

  1. Bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering

    4 years

    You learn programming, data structures, algorithms, and math, which is the foundation every software developer needs.

  2. Software QA Analyst

    1-2 years

    You test software, find bugs, and learn how real teams build and release code, which gives you a close look at how good software is made.

  3. Computer Programmer

    4-5 years

    You write and fix code for assigned projects and build skills in writing clean code, working in a team, and handling larger pieces of software.

  4. Software Developer

    Ongoing

    You research, design, and build software solutions, and you take ownership of features from planning through release.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Software Developer

    3-5 years as a software developer of experience first

    You lead bigger features, mentor newer developers, and make more of the technical decisions for your team.

  2. Software Architect

    5+ years as a senior developer of experience first

    You design how whole systems fit together and set technical direction across several teams, which takes deep experience and strong communication skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take computer science or programming classesCourses in coding and math build the thinking skills you will use every day as a developer.
  • Join a coding or robotics clubWorking on a team project teaches you how real software gets built and gives you something to put on a resume.
  • Enter a programming competition or hackathonThese events push you to solve problems quickly and often show your work to people in the tech field.
  • Build a personal projectMaking a simple app, game, or website lets you practice coding on your own and gives you something to show later.
  • Look for a starter job helping with techHelping with school computers, a family business's website, or a tech-related summer job builds real-world experience.

In college

  • Major in computer science or software engineeringA bachelor's degree is the usual starting point for this career, and it covers the core knowledge developers use.
  • Take software testing and databases coursesTesting and database skills are useful in entry roles like QA and programming, and they make you a stronger candidate.
  • Get an internship or co-opHands-on work at a company shows you how software teams operate and often leads to job offers.
  • Join a student coding club or contribute to open-source projectsWorking with other students or on public code builds skills, teamwork, and a portfolio employers can see.
  • Learn version control and teamwork toolsLearning Git and collaboration tools now helps you hit the ground running in your first job.

Tips for getting started

  • Build a few small projects you can show, such as a simple app, a website, or a tool that solves a problem you have. Employers often look at what you have made as much as at grades.
  • Get comfortable with version control (like Git) and working on code with others. These are everyday tools in almost every software job.
  • Practice programming a little most days. Steady practice over several years matters more than one big push.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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