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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14,240 | $102,990 | $49.51 | |
| Alaska | 270 | $113,800 | $54.71 | |
| Arizona | 35,490 | $114,630 | $55.11 | |
| Arkansas | 4,390 | $89,420 | $42.99 | |
| California | 228,240 | $146,770 | $70.56 | |
| Colorado | 38,860 | $120,140 | $57.76 | |
| Connecticut | 14,480 | $113,530 | $54.58 | |
| Delaware | 5,550 | $115,330 | $55.45 | |
| District of Columbia | 9,460 | $124,770 | $59.99 | |
| Florida | 59,570 | $105,200 | $50.58 | |
| Georgia | 45,640 | $114,740 | $55.16 | |
| Hawaii | 1,920 | $112,410 | $54.04 | |
| Idaho | 4,890 | $98,560 | $47.39 | |
| Illinois | 50,060 | $109,970 | $52.87 | |
| Indiana | 11,760 | $94,920 | $45.64 | |
| Iowa | 10,640 | $101,530 | $48.81 | |
| Kansas | 10,580 | $99,380 | $47.78 | |
| Kentucky | 5,030 | $97,810 | $47.02 | |
| Louisiana | 2,370 | $93,670 | $45.03 | |
| Maine | 2,810 | $101,440 | $48.77 | |
| Maryland | 25,710 | $131,240 | $63.09 | |
| Massachusetts | 58,980 | $128,190 | $61.63 | |
| Michigan | 37,490 | $97,730 | $46.99 | |
| Minnesota | 36,860 | $111,400 | $53.56 | |
| Mississippi | 2,020 | $85,590 | $41.15 | |
| Missouri | 19,370 | $100,290 | $48.21 | |
| Montana | 1,360 | $92,980 | $44.70 | |
| Nebraska | 7,350 | $98,590 | $47.40 | |
| Nevada | 3,480 | $101,850 | $48.97 | |
| New Hampshire | 6,580 | $116,940 | $56.22 | |
| New Jersey | 46,630 | $124,100 | $59.66 | |
| New Mexico | 2,540 | $107,460 | $51.66 | |
| New York | 75,790 | $129,950 | $62.48 | |
| North Carolina | 51,010 | $117,240 | $56.36 | |
| North Dakota | 1,750 | $83,460 | $40.13 | |
| Ohio | 46,110 | $101,870 | $48.97 | |
| Oklahoma | 5,890 | $100,840 | $48.48 | |
| Oregon | 18,610 | $115,160 | $55.36 | |
| Pennsylvania | 40,130 | $105,550 | $50.75 | |
| Rhode Island | 3,490 | $128,790 | $61.92 | |
| South Carolina | 7,160 | $102,630 | $49.34 | |
| South Dakota | 1,770 | $85,910 | $41.30 | |
| Tennessee | 12,640 | $99,680 | $47.92 | |
| Texas | 103,510 | $111,830 | $53.77 | |
| Utah | 18,200 | $109,000 | $52.40 | |
| Vermont | 1,540 | $108,720 | $52.27 | |
| Virginia | 68,250 | $127,830 | $61.46 | |
| Washington | 81,520 | $145,150 | $69.78 | |
| West Virginia | 1,640 | $83,450 | $40.12 | |
| Wisconsin | 19,940 | $96,900 | $46.59 | |
| Wyoming | 620 | $85,730 | $41.22 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that focuses on the symbolic inference, representation, and simulation by computers and software of human learning and reasoning processes and capabilities, and the computer modeling of human motor control and motion. Includes instruction in computing theory, cybernetics, human factors, natural language processing, and applicable aspects of engineering, technology, and specific end-use applications.
A program that focuses on the design of technological information systems, including computing systems, as solutions to business and research data and communications support needs. Includes instruction in the principles of computer hardware and software components, algorithms, databases, telecommunications, user tactics, application testing, and human interface design.
A program that focuses on computer systems from a user-centered perspective and studies the structure, behavior and interactions of natural and artificial systems that store, process and communicate information. Includes instruction in information sciences, human computer interaction, information system analysis and design, telecommunications structure and information architecture and management.
A program that focuses on the general writing and implementation of generic and customized programs to drive operating systems and that generally prepares individuals to apply the methods and procedures of software design and programming to software installation and maintenance. Includes instruction in software design, low- and high-level languages and program writing; program customization and linking; prototype testing; troubleshooting; and related aspects of operating systems and networks.
A program that prepares individuals to apply the knowledge and skills of general computer programming to the solution of specific operational problems and customization requirements presented by individual software users and organizational users. Includes training in specific types of software and its installation and maintenance.
A program that prepares individuals to fulfill the requirements set by vendors for professional qualification as certified installation, customization, and maintenance engineers for specific software products and/or processes. Includes training in specific vendor-supported software products and their installation and maintenance.
A program that prepares individuals to apply the knowledge and skills of design and computer programming to the development of computer games. Includes training in character and story development, computer programming, computer graphics, game design, game physics, human-computer interaction, human-centered design, and usability.
A program that prepares individuals to design, develop, and implement software-based solutions for specific business and consumer platforms including industrial, game, mobile, tactile, and web platforms. Includes instruction in computer programming, computer hardware, data structures, database theory, maintenance, operating systems, project management, software development, and systems analysis.
A program that focuses on the theory, organization, and process of information collection, transmission, and utilization in traditional and electronic forms. Includes instruction in information classification and organization; information storage and processing; transmission, transfer, and signaling; communications and networking; systems planning and design; human interfacing and use analysis; database development; information policy analysis; and related aspects of hardware, software, economics, social factors, and capacity.
A program that focuses on computer theory, computing problems and solutions, and the design of computer systems and user interfaces from a scientific perspective. Includes instruction in the principles of computational science, computer development and programming, and applications to a variety of end-use situations.
A program focusing on the principles of applied visual simulation technology and the application of quantitative analyses to human-computer interaction. Includes instruction in object-oriented programming, artificial intelligence, computer communications and networks, computer graphics, virtual worlds and simulation systems, probability, statistics, stochastic modeling, data analysis, human-performance evaluation, and human-behavior modeling.
A program that prepares individuals to design and implement enterprise software systems that rely on distributed computing and service-oriented architecture, including databases, web services, cloud computing, and mobile apps. Includes instruction in data management, distributed and cloud computing, enterprise software architecture, enterprise and cloud security, mobile systems and applications, server administration, and web development.
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of computer hardware and software systems and related equipment and facilities; and the analysis of specific problems of computer applications to various tasks.
A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific and mathematical principles to the design, analysis, verification, validation, implementation, and maintenance of computer software systems using a variety of computer languages. Includes instruction in discrete mathematics, probability and statistics, computer science, managerial science, and applications to complex computer systems.
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to support engineers in developing, implementing, and evaluating computer software and program applications. Includes instruction in computer programming, programming languages, databases, user interfaces, networking and warehousing, encryption and security, software testing and evaluation, and customization.
A program with a general synthesis of mathematics and computer science or a specialization which draws from mathematics and computer science.
A program that combines accounting with computer science and/or computer studies.
A program of study that focuses on the theoretical and practical connections between computer science and economics. Includes instruction in data analysis, database design, data mining, computer algorithms, economics, econometrics, computer programing, mathematics, and statistics.
A program that focuses on the relationship between computer and human language and computational techniques applied to natural language. Includes instruction in computer programming, human languages, linguistic analysis, logic, natural language processing, semantics, machine learning, psycholinguistics, software engineering, and syntax.
A program that focuses on the analysis of large scale data sources from the interdisciplinary perspectives of applied statistics, computer science, data storage, data representation, data modeling, mathematics, and statistics. Includes instruction in computer algorithms, computer programming, data management, data mining, information policy, information retrieval, mathematical modeling, quantitative analysis, statistics, trend spotting, and visual analytics.
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$120,990 per yearNational average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as software developers.
- Less than high school 0%
- High school graduate 2%
- College dropout 7%
- Associate’s degree 4%
- Bachelor’s degree 51%
- Master’s degree 31%
- Doctorate degree 4%
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