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Software Developers
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.
Other titles employers use
Application Developer · Application Integration Engineer · Developer · DevOps Engineer (Development Operations Engineer) · Infrastructure Engineer · Software Architect · Software Developer · Software Development Engineer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, organizing and practical work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Programming
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Systems Analysis
Subjects to know
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 1.7 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 1.5 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 3.0 | Occasional |
| Working with your hands | 3.2 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 85%
- A master's degree 5%
- A two-year degree 5%
- High school or less 3%
- A certificate or some college 2%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Web platform development software
- Development environment software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Operating system software
- Data base management system software
- Application server software
- Enterprise application integration software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 388,000
- Job openings each year
- 26,000
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 23.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 388,000 | 26,000 | 23.7% |
| Texas | 161,780 | 12,350 | 46.7% |
| Virginia | 105,120 | 6,920 | 21.4% |
| Florida | 101,940 | 7,330 | 34.8% |
| North Carolina | 75,660 | 5,360 | 32.3% |
| Illinois | 70,390 | 4,580 | 19.7% |
| New Jersey | 64,430 | 4,170 | 19.2% |
| Georgia | 60,700 | 4,230 | 29.4% |
| Colorado | 60,490 | 4,460 | 39.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 53,670 | 3,490 | 19.6% |
| Arizona | 53,530 | 3,870 | 35.8% |
| Michigan | 51,380 | 3,360 | 20.4% |
| Minnesota | 47,920 | 3,220 | 24.2% |
| Maryland | 45,890 | 3,230 | 31.2% |
| Utah | 29,920 | 2,290 | 47.7% |
| Oregon | 26,850 | 1,880 | 30.2% |
| Wisconsin | 25,280 | 1,780 | 31.2% |
| Massachusetts | 25,250 | 1,710 | 24.8% |
| Missouri | 24,690 | 1,690 | 26.4% |
| Tennessee | 23,650 | 1,780 | 43.0% |
| Connecticut | 20,520 | 1,360 | 22.4% |
| Alabama | 20,120 | 1,300 | 19.3% |
| South Carolina | 16,070 | 1,180 | 39.1% |
| Indiana | 16,000 | 1,130 | 31.5% |
| Kansas | 15,460 | 1,030 | 23.2% |
| New Hampshire | 10,880 | 750 | 27.7% |
| District of Columbia | 10,120 | 660 | 19.6% |
| Nebraska | 9,680 | 650 | 24.4% |
| Oklahoma | 9,680 | 640 | 22.1% |
| Kentucky | 8,260 | 560 | 24.2% |
| Iowa | 7,230 | 480 | 22.5% |
| Arkansas | 7,080 | 500 | 32.1% |
| Delaware | 6,570 | 430 | 19.9% |
| Nevada | 5,950 | 430 | 37.1% |
| New Mexico | 5,690 | 410 | 36.1% |
| Mississippi | 3,930 | 300 | 42.9% |
| Louisiana | 3,330 | 220 | 24.3% |
| Maine | 3,060 | 190 | 15.0% |
| Montana | 3,000 | 220 | 37.0% |
| North Dakota | 2,560 | 170 | 26.1% |
| South Dakota | 2,440 | 170 | 27.1% |
| Vermont | 2,210 | 160 | 34.8% |
| Puerto Rico | 2,050 | 150 | 36.7% |
| West Virginia | 1,850 | 110 | 12.1% |
| Wyoming | 930 | 70 | 38.8% |
| Ohio | 360 | 20 | 16.1% |
| Alaska | 340 | 20 | 3.0% |
| Idaho | 30 | 0 | 50.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 2,719
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Degrees each year
- 1,635
- Admit rate
- 18%
- Annual cost after aid
- $5,000
The University of Texas at Dallas
- Degrees each year
- 1,400
- Admit rate
- 65%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Degrees each year
- 2,558
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 1,240
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 1,731
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Degrees each year
- 1,324
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 1,559
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000