### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Computer Programmers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			computer programmers imageProgrammers spend most of their time writing and testing computer code.							
						Quick Facts:     Computer Programmers2023     Median Pay
            						$99,700     per year
										$47.94     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    147,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -11% (Decline)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -16,600What Computer Programmers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Programmers usually work in office settings, most commonly in the computer systems design and related services industry. Most computer programmers work full time.
            
                                                How to Become a Computer Programmer
                                                
                        
Computer programmers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Most programmers specialize in several programming languages.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for computer programmers was $99,700 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of computer programmers is projected to decline							 11 percent from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite declining  employment, about 6,700 openings for computer programmers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for computer programmers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of computer programmers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about computer programmers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Computer Programmers Do 
            

			Computer programmersComputer programmers write programs in a variety of computer languages, such as C++ and Java.			
Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly. They turn the designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow. In addition, programmers run tests to ensure that newly created applications and software produce the expected results. If the products do not work correctly, programmers check the code or scripts for mistakes and modify 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
Test programs for errors and fix the faulty lines of computer code
Create, modify, and test code or scripts in software that simplifies developmentProgrammers work closely with software developers, and in some businesses their duties overlap. When such overlap occurs, programmers may be required to take on some of the tasks that are typically assigned to developers, such as designing programs.
Programmers use code libraries, which are collections of independent lines of code, to simplify their writing and improve their efficiency. They may create their own code libraries or make use of existing ones.
In addition, programmers may write or use software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications that are centrally hosted online. Although programmers typically need to rewrite their programs to work on different system platforms, such as Windows or OS X, applications created with SaaS work on all platforms. Accordingly, programmers writing SaaS applications may not have to rewrite as much code as other programmers do and can instead spend more time writing new programs.
 Work Environment
			Computer programmersMost programmers work independently in offices.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Computer programmers held about 147,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of computer programmers were as follows:
        Computer systems design and related services
                32%Self-employed workers
                7Manufacturing
                6Finance and insurance
                6Software publishers
                6Programmers usually work in office settings, which may be in their homes.
Work Schedules
Most computer programmers work full time.
 How to Become a Computer Programmer

			Computer programmersMost programmers have a degree in computer science or a related field.			
Computer programmers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related subject. Most programmers specialize in several programming languages.
Education
Computer programmers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as mathematics. However, some employers hire workers who have other degrees or experience in specific programming languages. Programmers who work in specific fields, such as healthcare or accounting, may take classes in that field to supplement their computer-related degree. In addition, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have experience gained through internships.
Most programmers learn computer languages while in school. However, a computer science degree gives students the skills they need to learn new computer languages easily. Students get 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 may 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.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Computer programmers must understand complex instructions in order to create computer code.
***Communication skills.*** Although computer programmers work alone to write code, they must have effective communication skills to coordinate work on large projects with team members and managers.
***Detail oriented*.** Computer programmers must closely examine the code that they write, modify, or test, because a small mistake may affect the entire computer program.
***Problem-solving**skills*.** Programmers check the code for errors and fix any they find.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Computer ProgrammersMedian annual wages, May 2023Computer occupations$104,420  Computer programmers$99,700  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for computer programmers was $99,700 in May 2023. 


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 $58,950, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $167,230.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for computer programmers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Software publishers
                $116,050Finance and insurance
                108,590Manufacturing
                98,870Computer systems design and related services
                98,710Most computer programmers work full time.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Computer ProgrammersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Computer occupations14%  Total, all occupations3%  Computer programmers-11%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of computer programmers is projected to decline				 11 percent from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite declining  employment, about 6,700 openings for computer programmers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Computer programming work continues to be automated, helping computer programmers to become more efficient in some of their tasks. Many companies are leveraging technologies to automate repetitive tasks, such as code formatting, to save time and money. Automation of this routine work could allow computer programmers to focus on other tasks, such as strategic planning activities, that cannot be automated. In addition, some computer programming tasks are more commonly done by other computer occupations, such as developers or analysts.
			

                        Employment projections data for     computer programmers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Computer programmers**
			15-1251
			147,400
			130,800
			-11
			-16,600
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Computer programmers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of computer programmers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Computer and Information Research Scientists**
            Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology.
            Master's degree
            $145,080**Computer and Information Systems Managers**
            Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.
            Bachelor's degree
            $169,510**Computer Hardware Engineers**
            Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components.
            Bachelor's degree
            $138,080**Computer Network Architects**
            Computer network architects design and implement data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and intranets.
            Bachelor's degree
            $129,840**Computer Support Specialists**
            Computer support specialists maintain computer networks and provide technical help to computer users.
            See How to Become One
            $60,810**Computer Systems Analysts**
            Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and design ways to improve efficiency.
            Bachelor's degree
            $103,800**Database Administrators and Architects**
            Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure data.
            Bachelor's degree
            $117,450**Information Security Analysts**
            Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.
            Bachelor's degree
            $120,360**Network and Computer Systems Administrators**
            Network and computer systems administrators install, configure, and maintain organizations’ computer networks and systems.
            Bachelor's degree
            $95,360**Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers**
            Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects.
            Bachelor's degree
            $130,160**Web Developers and Digital Designers**
            Web developers create and maintain websites. Digital designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability.
            Bachelor's degree
            $92,750
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about computer programmers, visit
Association for Computing Machinery
CompTIA
IEEE Computer Society
For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit
National Center for Women & Information Technology

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Computer Programmers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Programmers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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