Computer programmers held about 250,300 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of computer programmers were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | 38% |
| Finance and insurance | 7 |
| Software publishers | 7 |
| Manufacturing | 5 |
| Self-employed workers | 5 |
Programmers normally work alone, but sometimes work with other computer specialists on large projects. Because writing code can be done anywhere, many programmers work from their homes.
Work Schedules
Most computer programmers work full time.
Most computer programmers have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related subject; 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 other degrees or experience in specific programming languages. 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 to supplement their degree in computer programming. In addition, employers value experience, which many students gain through internships.
Most programmers learn a few computer languages while in school. However, a computer science degree gives students the skills needed to learn new computer languages easily. Students get hands-on experience writing code, testing programs, fixing errors, and doing many other tasks that they will perform on the job.
To keep up with changing technology, computer programmers may take continuing education classes and attend professional development seminars to learn new programming languages or about upgrades to programming languages they already know.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Programmers can become certified in specific programming languages or for vendor-specific programming products. Some companies require their computer programmers to be certified in the products they use.
Advancement
Programmers who have general business experience may become computer systems analysts. With experience, some programmers may become software developers. They may also be promoted to managerial positions. For more information, see the profiles on computer systems analysts, software developers, and computer and information systems managers .
Computer programmers typically have an interest in the Thinking and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Thinking or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a computer programmer, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Computer programmers should also possess the following specific 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 code for errors and fix any they find.
The median annual wage for computer programmers was $86,550 in May 2019. 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 $50,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $140,250.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for computer programmers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Software publishers | $98,230 |
| Finance and insurance | 89,920 |
| Manufacturing | 86,620 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 85,640 |
Most computer programmers work full time.
Employment of computer programmers is projected to decline 7 percent from 2018 to 2028. Computer programming can be done from anywhere in the world, so companies sometimes hire programmers in countries where wages are lower. This ongoing trend is projected to limit employment growth for computer programmers in the United States. However, the high costs associated with managing projects given to overseas programmers sometimes offsets the savings from the lower wages, causing some companies to bring back or keep programming jobs in the United States.
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 job prospects.
For more information about computer programmers, visit
Association for Computing Machinery
For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit
National Center for Women & Information Technology