Software Programmers Job Overview
Software programmers write, test and maintain the detailed instructions which computers follow to perform their functions. Software programmers have various other functions like conceiving, designing and testing logical structures for solving problems with computers, but their main function is programming. Various technical innovations in programming have redefined and elevated the work of programmers. Software programmers convert software designs into a logical series of instructions and codify the instructions in programming languages such as COBOL, Prolog, Java, C++ or ACTOR.
Software programmers use different types of programming languages depending on the purpose of the program. Some programmers use computer-assisted software engineering tools to make the coding process automatic.
Software Programmers Schools and Degrees
A bachelor’s degree is commonly required for software programmers. However, a two-year degree or a certificate is an option. Applicants with relevant programming skills and experience are favored by employers. Associates degrees, bachelors degrees and postgraduate degrees in computer science are offered by a large number of colleges and universities. Many of the software programmers opt for additional degrees in computer science, mathematics, information systems or special courses in computer programming.
Job Requirements
Software programmers should possess programming skills and relevant experience. Employers look for software programmers who are well versed with fourth and fifth-generation languages. Since technology is changing rapidly, programmers should constantly update their knowledge and skills. As software programmers are expected to work with teams, individuals who can communicate with non-technical personnel are preferred.
Beginners generally work under close supervision. Junior or entry-level programmers are given some preliminary instructions following which they can work single-handedly on simple assignments.
Nature of Work
Software programmers spend most of their time in front of computer in offices. Telecommuting allows work to be done from remote locations. In general, software programmers work about 40 hours per week. Some software programmers even work part-time, though the figures are low in comparison to other professions. Programmers are vulnerable to physical weaknesses caused by eyestrain, back distress and hand and wrist problems.
Software Programmers Jobs and Outlook
According to research, software programmers held about 435,000 jobs in the US in 2006. Software programmer jobs are expected to decline slowly, at the rate of approximately 4 percent during the next ten years. Employment is highest in the following industries:
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services
- Insurance Carriers
- Management of Companies and Enterprises
- Software Publishers
The mean hourly wage for software programmers in the US is about $34.62, while the mean annual wages are around $72,010.
Job Numbers and Growth How many software programmers are there? About 435,000 in all. Workers can most likely expect a low rate of unemployment. Note that 4% of employees were without work in 2006. Area Job Conditions Ithaca (New York), Carson City (Nevada), and Boulder (Colorado) boast the most software programmers for their size population. Stockton (California), Kennewick (Washington), and Clarksville (Tennessee) have the fewest. The highest salaries for workers are in and around San Jose (California), Santa Rosa (California), and Rochester (Minnesota). The lowest-paying areas are Great Falls (Montana), Danville (Illinois), and Longview (Washington). Training and Education Expect to get a bachelor's degree for this occupation. The share of software programmers with a bachelor's degree or higher is 73%. About 22% of workers got additional education after high school, but did not have to get a college degree. There was no need to go beyond high school for 6% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career. Part-Time Work and Self-Employment It is estimated that 5% of software programmers work less than full time. Self-employment is the choice of 4% of workers.
Software Programmers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings) In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation. Alabama | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Birmingham | $73,000 | 1,730 | +1% | | Decatur | $55,000 | 30 | -81% | | Dothan | $42,000 | 40 | -77% | | Huntsville | $73,000 | 1,140 | +72% | | Mobile | $59,000 | 370 | -37% | | Montgomery | $63,000 | 340 | -37% | | Tuscaloosa | $69,000 | 80 | -71% |
Alaska | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Anchorage | $69,000 | 410 | -20% | | Fairbanks | $60,000 | 120 | +33% |
Arizona | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Flagstaff | $52,000 | 90 | -44% | | Phoenix | $71,000 | 7,110 | +15% | | Tucson | $67,000 | 1,180 | -2% | | Yuma | $56,000 | 50 | -72% |
Arkansas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Jonesboro | $62,000 | 70 | -51% | | Little Rock | $66,000 | 1,770 | +60% |
California | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bakersfield | $76,000 | 220 | -74% | | Chico | $57,000 | 40 | -81% | | Fresno | $52,000 | 190 | -82% | | Merced | $70,000 | 40 | -76% | | Modesto | $84,000 | 110 | -79% | | Napa | $77,000 | 40 | -79% | | Oakland | $80,000 | 3,330 | -3% | | Oxnard | $76,000 | 760 | -21% | | Riverside | $61,000 | 800 | -81% | | Sacramento | $73,000 | 1,710 | -42% | | Salinas | $84,000 | 90 | -82% | | San Diego | $77,000 | 2,970 | -33% | | San Francisco | $89,000 | 3,000 | -10% | | San Jose | $105,000 | 5,840 | +91% | | San Luis Obispo | $63,000 | 120 | -61% | | Santa Ana | $78,000 | 3,940 | -22% | | Santa Barbara | $69,000 | 620 | +17% | | Santa Cruz | $72,000 | 250 | -6% | | Santa Rosa | $85,000 | 240 | -59% | | Stockton | $66,000 | 120 | -82% | | Vallejo | $93,000 | 70 | -82% | | Visalia | $79,000 | 110 | -74% |
Colorado | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Boulder | $90,000 | 1,210 | +138% | | Colorado Springs | $78,000 | 850 | +5% | | Denver | $80,000 | 3,330 | -20% | | Fort Collins | $66,000 | 200 | -47% | | Greeley | $83,000 | 90 | -60% |
Connecticut | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bridgeport | $88,000 | 2,010 | +40% | | Danbury | $81,000 | 320 | +51% | | Hartford | $78,000 | 2,040 | +7% | | New Haven | $98,000 | 700 | -23% | | Norwich | $70,000 | 240 | -38% | | Waterbury | | 70 | -65% |
Delaware | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Dover | $62,000 | 200 | +26% | | Wilmington | $79,000 | 1,650 | +54% |
District of Columbia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Washington | $83,000 | 11,890 | +54% |
Florida | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Cape Coral | $73,000 | 250 | -63% | | Deltona | $59,000 | 210 | -57% | | Fort Lauderdale | $68,000 | 2,250 | -7% | | Fort Walton Beach | $64,000 | 100 | -56% | | Gainesville | $54,000 | 450 | +27% | | Jacksonville | $70,000 | 1,600 | -20% | | Lakeland | $67,000 | 280 | -55% | | Miami | $70,000 | 2,640 | -20% | | Naples | $49,000 | 310 | -17% | | Ocala | $68,000 | 80 | -72% | | Orlando | $62,000 | 4,200 | +21% | | Palm Bay | $61,000 | 970 | +55% | | Palm Coast | $52,000 | 30 | -11% | | Panama City | $56,000 | 30 | -85% | | Pensacola | $61,000 | 270 | -42% | | Port St Lucie | $51,000 | 120 | -70% | | Sarasota | $66,000 | 580 | -32% | | Tallahassee | $56,000 | 810 | +57% | | Tampa | $70,000 | 4,140 | +3% | | West Palm Beach | $68,000 | 2,120 | +20% |
Georgia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Athens | $55,000 | 80 | -64% | | Atlanta | $75,000 | 6,860 | -13% | | Augusta | $66,000 | 200 | -70% | | Columbus | $77,000 | 780 | +131% | | Dalton | $51,000 | 250 | +8% | | Gainesville | $45,000 | 40 | -81% | | Macon | $65,000 | 130 | -57% | | Rome | $77,000 | 30 | -70% | | Savannah | $58,000 | 80 | -83% |
Hawaii | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Honolulu | $63,000 | 1,020 | -29% |
Idaho | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Boise | $63,000 | 960 | +10% | | Idaho Falls | $54,000 | 160 | +18% | | Lewiston | $54,000 | 40 | -34% |
Illinois | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Champaign | $49,000 | 330 | +15% | | Chicago | $78,000 | 17,030 | +34% | | Danville | $34,000 | 60 | -13% | | Peoria | $69,000 | 390 | -28% | | Rockford | $59,000 | 250 | -48% | | Springfield | $72,000 | 400 | +26% |
Indiana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bloomington | $50,000 | 160 | -21% | | Columbus | $73,000 | 120 | 0% | | Elkhart | $52,000 | 100 | -75% | | Evansville | $64,000 | 330 | -40% | | Fort Wayne | $67,000 | 310 | -54% | | Gary | $53,000 | 80 | -91% | | Indianapolis | $72,000 | 3,140 | +6% | | Lafayette | $57,000 | 300 | +32% | | Muncie | $59,000 | 40 | -69% | | South Bend | $62,000 | 200 | -53% | | Terre Haute | $56,000 | 60 | -71% |
Iowa | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Ames | $53,000 | 120 | +13% | | Cedar Rapids | $59,000 | 530 | +26% | | Davenport | $62,000 | 600 | +3% | | Des Moines | $65,000 | 1,890 | +77% | | Dubuque | $49,000 | 90 | -39% | | Iowa City | $59,000 | 240 | +12% | | Sioux City | $66,000 | 70 | -67% | | Waterloo | $59,000 | 140 | -46% |
Kansas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Lawrence | $63,000 | 280 | +117% | | Topeka | $63,000 | 460 | +35% | | Wichita | $65,000 | 620 | -38% |
Kentucky | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bowling Green | $46,000 | 40 | -76% | | Lexington | $69,000 | 490 | -37% | | Louisville | $67,000 | 1,290 | -37% |
Louisiana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Alexandria | $42,000 | 60 | -66% | | Baton Rouge | $53,000 | 860 | -29% | | Houma | $49,000 | 40 | -86% | | Lafayette | $50,000 | 190 | -58% | | Lake Charles | $56,000 | 110 | -58% | | Monroe | $67,000 | 30 | -87% | | New Orleans | $56,000 | 1,130 | -33% | | Shreveport | $49,000 | 230 | -59% |
Maine | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bangor | $50,000 | 40 | -79% | | Portland | $68,000 | 300 | -54% |
Maryland | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Baltimore | $77,000 | 3,840 | -11% | | Bethesda | $81,000 | 2,780 | +47% | | Cumberland | $63,000 | 50 | -49% | | Hagerstown | $53,000 | 110 | -64% | | Salisbury | $61,000 | 50 | -67% |
Massachusetts | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Barnstable Town | $79,000 | 50 | -84% | | Boston | $83,000 | 7,550 | +32% | | Brockton | $73,000 | 50 | -81% | | Framingham | $75,000 | 460 | -10% | | Haverhill | $64,000 | 90 | -61% | | Lawrence | $71,000 | 110 | -34% | | Lowell | $106,000 | 350 | -7% | | Pittsfield | $56,000 | 50 | -45% | | Springfield | $73,000 | 300 | -69% | | Taunton | $63,000 | 180 | +36% | | Worcester | $79,000 | 480 | -40% |
Michigan | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Ann Arbor | $71,000 | 1,140 | +117% | | Battle Creek | $74,000 | 50 | -64% | | Bay City | $63,000 | 40 | -58% | | Detroit | $72,000 | 2,380 | +1% | | Flint | $64,000 | 190 | -56% | | Grand Rapids | $58,000 | 930 | -25% | | Holland | $59,000 | 210 | -33% | | Kalamazoo | $52,000 | 320 | -25% | | Lansing | $65,000 | 380 | -38% | | Muskegon | $57,000 | 110 | -38% | | Niles | $53,000 | 50 | -73% | | Saginaw | $56,000 | 160 | -30% | | Warren | $70,000 | 5,480 | +43% |
Minnesota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Duluth | $57,000 | 100 | -75% | | Minneapolis | $68,000 | 4,520 | -24% | | Rochester | $103,000 | 480 | +70% | | St Cloud | $60,000 | 180 | -43% |
Mississippi | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Gulfport | $58,000 | 100 | -70% | | Hattiesburg | $56,000 | 60 | -64% | | Jackson | $52,000 | 570 | -30% | | Pascagoula | $60,000 | 30 | -78% |
Missouri | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Columbia | $59,000 | 470 | +90% | | Jefferson City | $50,000 | 670 | +229% | | Kansas City | $73,000 | 5,100 | +49% | | Springfield | $50,000 | 360 | -42% | | St Louis | $68,000 | 5,160 | +15% |
Montana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Billings | $52,000 | 140 | -42% | | Great Falls | $35,000 | 70 | -27% | | Missoula | $52,000 | 90 | -40% |
Nebraska | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Lincoln | $54,000 | 620 | +20% | | Omaha | $65,000 | 1,940 | +27% |
Nevada | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Las Vegas | $65,000 | 960 | -69% | | Reno | $72,000 | 310 | -53% |
New Hampshire | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Manchester | $65,000 | 360 | +12% | | Nashua | $60,000 | 400 | -8% | | Portsmouth | $63,000 | 210 | +28% | | Rochester | $60,000 | 100 | -40% |
New Jersey | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Atlantic City | $73,000 | 180 | -61% | | Camden | $76,000 | 1,730 | -1% | | Edison | $79,000 | 8,760 | +156% | | Newark | $83,000 | 2,990 | -11% | | Trenton | $85,000 | 1,300 | +89% | | Vineland | $64,000 | 30 | -82% |
New Mexico | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Albuquerque | $89,000 | 1,130 | -12% |
New York | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Albany | $63,000 | 4,410 | +207% | | Binghamton | $67,000 | 340 | +4% | | Buffalo | $59,000 | 1,790 | +1% | | Elmira | $66,000 | 30 | -69% | | Glens Falls | $54,000 | 40 | -74% | | Ithaca | $65,000 | 440 | +267% | | Kingston | $51,000 | 130 | -25% | | Nassau | $78,000 | 4,290 | +3% | | New York | $79,000 | 24,090 | +41% | | Poughkeepsie | $99,000 | 930 | +21% | | Rochester | $66,000 | 2,020 | +23% | | Syracuse | $62,000 | 900 | -11% | | Utica | $59,000 | 290 | -27% |
North Carolina | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Asheville | | 290 | -49% | | Burlington | $49,000 | 70 | -59% | | Charlotte | $83,000 | 2,820 | -4% | | Durham | $85,000 | 2,060 | +133% | | Fayetteville | $94,000 | 220 | -42% | | Greensboro | $74,000 | 810 | -33% | | Greenville | $65,000 | 150 | -29% | | Hickory | $64,000 | 150 | -71% | | Jacksonville | $73,000 | 60 | -48% | | Raleigh | $73,000 | 2,840 | +69% | | Rocky Mount | $59,000 | 110 | -35% | | Wilmington | $59,000 | 190 | -58% | | Winston Salem | $81,000 | 640 | -7% |
North Dakota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bismarck | $43,000 | 140 | -15% | | Fargo | $52,000 | 270 | -25% | | Grand Forks | $50,000 | 100 | -28% |
Ohio | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Akron | $67,000 | 820 | -25% | | Canton | $54,000 | 240 | -56% | | Cincinnati | $66,000 | 2,890 | -16% | | Cleveland | $67,000 | 2,430 | -31% | | Columbus | $71,000 | 5,090 | +64% | | Dayton | $63,000 | 1,030 | -19% | | Mansfield | $63,000 | 80 | -47% | | Springfield | $69,000 | 70 | -48% | | Toledo | $54,000 | 430 | -58% | | Youngstown | $57,000 | 210 | -72% |
Oklahoma | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Lawton | $46,000 | 120 | +17% | | Oklahoma City | $66,000 | 1,490 | -20% | | Tulsa | $58,000 | 1,250 | -13% |
Oregon | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bend | $63,000 | 70 | -66% | | Corvallis | $74,000 | 100 | +18% | | Eugene | $55,000 | 350 | -25% | | Medford | $59,000 | 100 | -61% | | Portland | $78,000 | 2,240 | -35% | | Salem | $62,000 | 140 | -70% |
Pennsylvania | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Allentown | $71,000 | 690 | -37% | | Altoona | $47,000 | 90 | -48% | | Erie | $52,000 | 290 | -26% | | Harrisburg | $69,000 | 1,320 | +28% | | Johnstown | $47,000 | 100 | -39% | | Lancaster | $60,000 | 450 | -41% | | Lebanon | $60,000 | 100 | -24% | | Philadelphia | $88,000 | 9,810 | +56% | | Pittsburgh | $66,000 | 4,510 | +19% | | Reading | $64,000 | 270 | -48% | | Scranton | $54,000 | 370 | -56% | | State College | $57,000 | 140 | -14% | | Williamsport | $58,000 | 60 | -59% | | York | $62,000 | 230 | -60% |
Rhode Island | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Providence | $68,000 | 1,480 | -21% |
South Carolina | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Anderson | $49,000 | 80 | -55% | | Charleston | $56,000 | 1,290 | +36% | | Columbia | $63,000 | 1,200 | +5% | | Florence | $58,000 | 160 | -37% | | Greenville | $65,000 | 1,070 | +8% | | Myrtle Beach | $59,000 | 110 | -70% | | Spartanburg | $73,000 | 400 | +5% |
South Dakota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Sioux Falls | $50,000 | 300 | -31% |
Tennessee | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Chattanooga | $58,000 | 850 | +13% | | Clarksville | $43,000 | 50 | -78% | | Cleveland | $41,000 | 40 | -59% | | Johnson City | $46,000 | 70 | -69% | | Kingsport | $47,000 | 110 | -69% | | Knoxville | $60,000 | 670 | -39% | | Memphis | $70,000 | 1,720 | -16% | | Morristown | $53,000 | 40 | -70% | | Nashville | $63,000 | 2,380 | -6% |
Texas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Abilene | $49,000 | 130 | -29% | | Amarillo | $76,000 | 270 | -12% | | Austin | $82,000 | 5,560 | +120% | | Beaumont | $59,000 | 280 | -44% | | Brownsville | $43,000 | 60 | -84% | | College Station | $53,000 | 210 | -9% | | Corpus Christi | $55,000 | 170 | -70% | | Dallas | $80,000 | 12,950 | +85% | | El Paso | $46,000 | 440 | -48% | | Fort Worth | $75,000 | 2,180 | -24% | | Houston | $81,000 | 9,020 | +5% | | Killeen | $68,000 | 260 | -30% | | Laredo | $56,000 | 50 | -80% | | Longview | $48,000 | 140 | -51% | | Lubbock | $48,000 | 230 | -39% | | Mcallen | $52,000 | 130 | -81% | | Midland | $68,000 | 90 | -54% | | Odessa | $54,000 | 30 | -82% | | San Antonio | $70,000 | 1,740 | -38% | | Tyler | $64,000 | 120 | -56% | | Waco | $67,000 | 180 | -39% | | Wichita Falls | $61,000 | 40 | -76% |
Utah | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Logan | $50,000 | 140 | +7% | | Ogden | $63,000 | 620 | -3% | | Provo | $60,000 | 1,270 | +143% | | Salt Lake City | $76,000 | 4,270 | +106% | | St George | $55,000 | 150 | +8% |
Vermont | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Burlington | $81,000 | 400 | +18% |
Virginia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Blacksburg | $61,000 | 190 | +6% | | Charlottesville | $69,000 | 280 | -1% | | Harrisonburg | $49,000 | 130 | -17% | | Lynchburg | $57,000 | 180 | -41% | | Richmond | $79,000 | 1,680 | -15% | | Roanoke | $58,000 | 140 | -72% | | Virginia Beach | $63,000 | 1,460 | -42% |
Washington | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bellingham | $71,000 | 50 | -79% | | Bremerton | $74,000 | 140 | -44% | | Kennewick | $47,000 | 70 | -74% | | Mount Vernon | $59,000 | 30 | -76% | | Olympia | $81,000 | 80 | -72% | | Seattle | $89,000 | 8,840 | +85% | | Spokane | $57,000 | 440 | -34% | | Tacoma | $79,000 | 570 | -35% |
West Virginia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Charleston | $48,000 | 530 | +16% | | Huntington | $42,000 | 120 | -66% | | Morgantown | $52,000 | 80 | -39% | | Parkersburg | $56,000 | 40 | -81% | | Weirton | $63,000 | 40 | -66% | | Wheeling | $57,000 | 80 | -57% |
Wisconsin | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Appleton | $67,000 | 290 | -18% | | Eau Claire | $74,000 | 200 | -13% | | Fond | $72,000 | 70 | -44% | | Green Bay | $68,000 | 360 | -32% | | Janesville | $54,000 | 50 | -74% | | La Crosse | $62,000 | 210 | +3% | | Madison | $65,000 | 1,260 | +16% | | Milwaukee | $65,000 | 2,730 | -3% | | Oshkosh | $66,000 | 170 | -33% | | Racine | $57,000 | 140 | -39% | | Wausau | $54,000 | 190 | -4% |
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