Computer Programmers: Job Description
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
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What Do Computer Programmers Take On?
Typical responsibilities of computer programmers cover:
- Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
- Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
- Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
- Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
- Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
- Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language.
- Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.
Skills and Knowledge
Successful computer programmers rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Related Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- .NET Programmer
- Analyst Programmer
- Application Programmer
- Application Programmer Analyst
- Applications Programmer
- Automation Programmer
- Beta Tester
- Bug Bounty Hunter
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 596,847 computer programmers working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +11.7% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Computer Programmers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $109,892 |
| Hourly median | $52.83 |
| 10th percentile | $61,732 |
| 25th percentile | $85,812 |
| 75th percentile | $133,972 |
| 90th percentile | $158,052 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Computer Programmers Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $158,820 |
| Montana | $128,630 |
| Oregon | $126,980 |
| Colorado | $124,880 |
| California | $116,220 |
| Massachusetts | $115,200 |
| Virginia | $111,860 |
| Wisconsin | $109,580 |
| Minnesota | $108,450 |
| Hawaii | $108,040 |
| Wyoming | $105,420 |
| Kentucky | $104,840 |
| Maine | $103,110 |
| Maryland | $103,000 |
| New Jersey | $102,770 |
| Oklahoma | $100,910 |
| Delaware | $100,700 |
| Arkansas | $100,670 |
| South Carolina | $100,620 |
| Connecticut | $100,510 |
| New York | $100,410 |
| Ohio | $99,520 |
| Tennessee | $99,270 |
| Florida | $98,630 |
| Georgia | $97,970 |
| North Carolina | $95,770 |
| Rhode Island | $94,560 |
| Nebraska | $93,620 |
| Missouri | $93,550 |
| Nevada | $92,650 |
| Kansas | $91,600 |
| Alaska | $88,930 |
| North Dakota | $88,910 |
| Utah | $88,410 |
| Alabama | $87,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,770 |
| Iowa | $84,730 |
| Louisiana | $83,980 |
| New Mexico | $83,680 |
| Indiana | $83,670 |
| Illinois | $83,460 |
| District of Columbia | $82,580 |
| New Hampshire | $80,880 |
| Texas | $80,820 |
| Idaho | $80,390 |
| Vermont | $78,230 |
| Arizona | $71,930 |
| Michigan | $68,790 |
| West Virginia | $65,140 |
| Mississippi | $65,120 |
| South Dakota | $56,520 |
| Puerto Rico | $43,010 |
Where Computer Programmers Earn the Most
Pay for computer programmers shift depending on where you work. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $122,490 | 18.1% | 1.16 |
| Rocky Mountains | $107,773 | 2.7% | 0.81 |
| New England | $105,274 | 5.4% | 1.14 |
| Southeast | $98,301 | 21.6% | 0.98 |
| Middle Atlantic | $96,886 | 17.1% | 1.15 |
| Plains States | $95,866 | 6.0% | 1.04 |
| Great Lakes | $85,850 | 12.6% | 1.22 |
| Southwest | $80,407 | 15.6% | 1.30 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Computer Programmers
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $167,970 | |
| Boulder, CO | CO | $162,530 | |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $159,250 | 1,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | CA | $133,560 | 1,800 |
| Bend, OR | OR | $132,590 | 90 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | CO | $131,230 | |
| Bozeman, MT | MT | $129,040 | 260 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | CO | $122,580 | 390 |
Top Industries Employing Computer Programmers
The bulk of computer programmers work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 49,490 | $98,640 |
| Information | 10,150 | $104,750 |
| Educational Services | 9,300 | $87,360 |
| Manufacturing | 8,230 | $96,610 |
| Finance and Insurance | 6,450 | $106,970 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 4,030 | $99,590 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 3,850 | $106,470 |
| Wholesale Trade | 3,280 | $83,380 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Document management software: Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Illustrator (hot technology)
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- Web platform development software: AJAX (hot technology)
- Data base management system software: Amazon DynamoDB (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2 (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Amazon Redshift (hot technology)
- Cloud-based management software: Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Amazon Web Services AWS software (hot technology)
- Expert system software: Ansible software (hot technology)
- Data base management system software: Apache Cassandra (hot technology)
- Data base management system software: Apache Hadoop (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The work environment for computer programmers is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Spend Time Sitting
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How to Become Computer Programmers
Entry-level computer programmers positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Computer and Information Systems Managers (Supplemental)
- Computer Systems Analysts (Primary-Short)
- Computer and Information Research Scientists (Supplemental)
- Computer User Support Specialists (Supplemental)
- Computer Network Architects (Primary-Long)
- Database Administrators (Primary-Short)
- Database Architects (Primary-Long)
- Data Warehousing Specialists (Supplemental)
Where to Study
Aspiring computer programmers often complete programs in:
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
10 programs across 4 majors
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
4 programs across 2 majors
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
1 programs across 1 majors
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
1 programs across 1 majors
Health Professions and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 15-1251.00 (Computer Programmers).
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