Computer Programmers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Summary

Programmers spend most of their time writing computer code.

Quick Facts: Computer Programmers
2010 Median Pay	$71,380 per year $34.32 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	363,100
Job Outlook, 2010-20	12% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	43,700

What Computer Programmers Do

Computer programmers write code to create software programs. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow.

Work Environment

Computer programmers usually work in offices, most commonly in the computer systems design and related services industry and information services industry.

How to Become a Computer Programmer

Most computer programmers have a bachelor’s degree; however, some employers hire workers with an associate’s degree. Most programmers specialize in a few programming languages.

Pay

The median annual wage of computer programmers was $71,380 in May 2010.

Employment of computer programmers is expected to increase 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Since computer programming can be done from anywhere in the world, companies often hire programmers in countries that have lower wages.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of computer programmers with similar occupations.

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What Computer Programmers Do About this section

Programmers write instructions that a computer can follow, allowing it to perform specific tasks.

Computer programmers write code to create software programs. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow. Programmers must debug the programs—that is, test them to ensure that they produce the expected results. If a program does not work correctly, they check the code for mistakes and fix them.

Duties

Computer programmers typically do the following:

Write programs in a variety of computer languages, such as C++ and Java
Update and expand existing programs
Debug programs by testing for and fixing errors
Build and use computer-assisted software engineering (CASE) tools to automate the writing of some code
Use code libraries, which are collections of independent lines of code, to simplify the writing

Programmers work closely with software developers and, in some businesses, their work overlaps. When this happens, programmers can do the work typical of developers, such as designing the program. This entails initially planning the software, creating models and flowcharts detailing how the code is to be written, and designing an application or system interface. For more information, see the profile on software developers.

Some programs are relatively simple and usually take a few days to write, such as mobile applications for cell phones. Other programs, like computer operating systems, are more complex and can take a year or more to complete.

Software-as-a-service (SaaS), which consists of applications provided through the Internet, is a growing field. Although programmers typically need to rewrite their programs to work on different systems platforms such as Windows or OS X, applications created using SaaS work on all platforms. That is why programmers writing for software-as-a-service applications may not have to update as much code as other programmers and can instead spend more time writing new programs.

Work Environment About this section

Most programmers work independently in offices.

Computer programmers usually work in offices, most commonly in the computer systems design and related services industry and information service industry. Computer programmers held about 363,100 jobs in 2010, and were concentrated in the following industries in 2010:

Computer systems design and related services	32%
Information	12
Finance and insurance	7
Administrative and support services	6
Government	5

Programmers normally work alone, but sometimes work with other computer specialists on large projects. Because writing codes can be done anywhere, many programmers telecommute. About 25 percent work in California, New York, and Texas.

Work Schedules

Most computer programmers work full time.

How to Become a Computer Programmer About this section

Most programmers have a degree in computer science or a related field.

Most computer programmers have a bachelor’s degree; however, some employers hire workers with an associate’s degree. Most programmers specialize in a few programming languages.

Education

Most computer programmers have a bachelor’s degree; however, some employers hire workers who have an associate’s degree. Most programmers get a degree in computer science or a related subject. Programmers who work in specific fields, such as healthcare or accounting, may take classes in that field in addition to their degree in computer programming. In addition, employers value experience, which many students get through internships.

Most programmers learn only a few computer languages while in school. However, a computer science degree also gives students the skills needed to learn new computer languages easily. During their classes, students receive hands-on experience writing code, debugging programs, and many other tasks that they will do on the job.

To keep up with changing technology, computer programmers may take continuing education and professional development seminars to learn new programming languages or about upgrades to programming languages they already know.

Certification

Certification is a way to demonstrate a level of competence and may provide a jobseeker with a competitive advantage. Certification programs, generally available through product vendors or software firms, offer programmers a way to become certified in specific programming languages or for vendor-specific programming products. Some companies may require their computer programmers to be certified in the products they use.

Advancement

Programmers who have general business experience may become computer systems analysts. Programmers with specialized knowledge of, and experience with, a language or operating system may become computer software developers. They also may be promoted to managerial positions. For more information, see the profiles on computer systems analysts, software developers, and computer and information systems managers.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Computer programmers must understand complex instructions in order to create computer code.

Concentration. Programmers must be able to work at a computer, writing lines of code for long periods of time.

Detail oriented. Computer programmers must closely examine the code they write because a small mistake can affect the entire computer program.

Troubleshooting skills. An important part of a programmer’s job is to check the program for errors and fix any they find.

Pay About this section

Computer Programmers

Median annual wages, May 2010

Computer Occupations: $73,710
Computer Programmers: $71,380
Total, All Occupations: $33,840

The median annual wage of computer programmers was $71,380 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,820, and the top 10 percent earned more than $114,180.

Most computer programmers work full time.

Job Outlook About this section

Computer Programmers

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Computer Occupations: 22%
Total, All Occupations: 14%
Computer Programmers: 12%

Employment of computer programmers is expected to increase by 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Since computer programming can be done from anywhere in the world, companies often hire programmers in countries where wages are lower. This ongoing trend will limit growth for computer programmers in the United States. However, companies may continue to hire computer programmers in low cost areas within the United States.

Most computer programmers work in computer system design and related services, an industry which is expected to grow as a result of an increasing demand for new computer software. This includes software offered over the Internet, which should lower costs for firms and allow for more customization for users. In addition, new applications will have to be developed for mobile technology and the healthcare industry. An increase in computer systems that are built into electronics and into other non-computer products should result in some job growth for computer programmers and software developers.

Job Prospects

Job prospects will be best for programmers who have a bachelor’s degree or higher and knowledge of a variety of programming languages. Keeping up to date with the newest programming tools will also improve prospects.

As employers increasingly contract with outside firms to do programming jobs, more opportunities are expected to arise for experienced programmers who have expertise in a specific area to work as consultants.

Employment projections data for computer programmers, 2010-20
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Change, 2010-20		Employment by Industry
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Percent	Numeric	Employment by Industry
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Computer Programmers	15-1131	363,100	406,800	12	43,700	[XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of computer programmers.

Occupation	Job Duties	ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION	2010 MEDIAN PAY
Computer and Information Systems Managers	Computer and information systems managers, often called information technology managers (IT managers or IT project managers), plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing the appropriate computer systems to meet those goals.	Bachelor’s degree	$115,780
Computer Hardware Engineers	Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer equipment such as chips, circuit boards, or routers. By solving complex problems in computer hardware, these engineers create rapid advances in computer technology.	Bachelor’s degree	$98,810
Computer Support Specialists	Computer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment. Some, called technical support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization. Others, called help-desk technicians, assist non-IT users who are having computer problems.	Some college, no degree	$46,260
Computer Systems Analysts	Computer systems analysts study an organization's current computer systems and procedures and make recommendations to management to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.	Bachelor’s degree	$77,740
Database Administrators	Database administrators use software to store and organize data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They make sure that data are available to users and are secure from unauthorized access.	Bachelor’s degree	$73,490
Information Security Analysts, Web Developers, and Computer Network Architects	Information security analysts, web developers, and computer network architects all use information technology (IT) to advance their organization’s goals. Security analysts ensure a firm’s information stays safe from cyberattacks. Web developers create websites to help firms have a public face. Computer network architects create the internal networks all workers within organizations use.	Bachelor’s degree	$75,660
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of an organization’s computer networks. They organize, install, and support an organization’s computer systems, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems.	Bachelor’s degree	$69,160
Software Developers	Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or other device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks.	Bachelor’s degree	$90,530