Software Developer
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
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.
Also called: Application Developer · Application Integration Engineer · DevOps Engineer (Development Operations Engineer) · Developer · Infrastructure Engineer · Software Architect · Software Developer · Software Development Engineer
O*NET-SOC 15-1252.00 (Software Developers)
Software Developer salary
Wages for software developers across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $65.38.
Software Developer pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $105,060 | $174,410 | $272,670 |
| Texas | $82,600 | $132,150 | $183,680 |
| Florida | $80,050 | $130,980 | $204,400 |
| New York | $97,430 | $166,180 | $224,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,750 | $126,550 | $178,080 |
| Illinois | $80,980 | $132,110 | $194,740 |
| Ohio | $77,790 | $114,090 | $168,400 |
| Georgia | $80,110 | $131,010 | $176,000 |
| North Carolina | $83,840 | $134,710 | $179,310 |
| Michigan | $78,930 | $125,570 | $166,510 |
Software Developer job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 1,717,800 jobs in 2025 to 1,892,600 in 2035 (10% change).
- About 95,300 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Bright (Rapid Growth; Numerous Job Openings).
How to become a software developer
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- No work experience
- On-the-job training
- No on-the-job training
Education level of current workers
- Less than high school diploma.6%
- High school diploma or equivalent2.2%
- Some college, no degree7.3%
- Associate's degree3.9%
- Bachelor's degree51.7%
- Master's degree30.2%
- Doctoral or professional degree4%
Related training programs
- Accounting and Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cloud Computing
- Computer Engineering, General
- Computer Game Programming
- Computer Programming, Specific Applications
- Computer Programming, Specific Platforms
- Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification
- Computer Programming/Programmer, General
- Computer Science
- Computer Software Engineering
- Computer Software Technology/Technician
What does a software developer do?
Common tasks
- Monitor functioning of equipment to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
- Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
- Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
- Coordinate installation of software system.
- Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.
- Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.
- Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.
- Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
- Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design.
Most important skills
- Programming
- Writing computer programs.
- Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
- Active Learning
- Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
- Systems Analysis
- Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
- Technology Design
- Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
- Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Software Developer certifications
8 of 60 certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- Adobe Systems Incorporated · Advanced
- Cloud Credential Council · Core
- Scrum.org · Specialty
- Scrum.org · Specialty · In demand
- SAP America, Inc. · Product/Equipment
- CertNexus · Advanced
- Microsoft Corporation · Product/Equipment · In demand
- IBM Corporation · Product/Equipment
See all 60certifications in CareerOneStop's Certification Finder
Software Developer jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more information technology jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Information Technology jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
Related careers
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
- Computer Programmers
- Database Administrators
- Database Architects
- Computer Hardware Engineers
- Computer Network Architects
- Web Developer
- Information Security Engineers
More information technology careers
This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for Software Developers. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.