An official website of the United States government 
	  
	Here is how you know
 Department of Labor Logo  United States Department of Labor
 **The .gov means it's official.**
			 Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information,
			make sure you're on a federal government site.
 **The site is secure.**
			 The
			**https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any
			information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.


U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
 Follow Us
 
 Release Calendar Blog
 Search button
          Search:


Menu

  Search button
          Search:
	
	  Follow Us Follow Us on X, formerly referred to as Twitter| Release Calendar | Blog
    Home
        About BLS
		History	
		Our Leadership
		Budget and Performance		
		Questions and Answers	
		A-Z Index	
		Glossary	
		Careers at BLS	
		BLS Speakers Available
		Errata  				
		Contact BLSOverview of BLS Statistics
		Guide to Programs & Services
		Demographics
		Industries
		Business Costs
		Occupations
		GeographyResources For
		Business Leaders
		Consumers
		Developers
		Economists
		Investors
		Jobseekers
		Media
		Public Policymakers
		Researcher		
		Students & Teachers
		Survey Respondents
    Subjects
        Inflation & Prices
		Consumer Price Index
		Producer Price Indexes
		Import/Export Price Indexes
		Contract Escalation
		Price Index Research
		Pay & Benefits
		Employment Cost Index
		Employer Costs for Employee Compensation
						Wage Data by Occupation
		Earnings by Demographics
		Earnings by Industry
		County Wages  
		Benefits
		Modeled Wage Estimates		
		Compensation Research
		Strikes & Lockouts
		Wage Records from Unemployment Insurance
		Occupational RequirementsUnemployment
		National Unemployment Rate
		State & Local Unemployment Rates
		Unemployment Research
		Employment
		National Employment
		State & Local Employment
		County Employment 
		Worker Characteristics
		American Indian Report
		Employment Projections
		Job Openings & Labor Turnover Survey
		Business Response Survey
		Employment by Occupation
		Work Experience Over Time
		Business Employment Dynamics
		Foreign Direct Investment
		Employment Research
		Workplace InjuriesProductivity
		Labor and Total Factor Productivity
		Productivity Research
		Spending & Time Use
		Consumer Expenditures
		How Americans Spend Time			
		International
		International Technical Cooperation
		Import/Export Price Indexes
		Geographic Information
		Northeast (Boston-New York)
		Mid-Atlantic (Philadelphia)
		Southeast (Atlanta)
		Midwest (Chicago)
		Southwest (Dallas)
		Mountain-Plains (Kansas City)
		West (San Francisco)
    Data Tools
        Data Retrieval Tools
		BLS Popular Series
		Series Report
		Top Picks, One Screen, Multi-Screen, and Maps
		Data Finder
		Public Data APICharts and Applications
		Charts for Economic News Releases	
		CPI Inflation Calculator	
		Injury and Illness Calculator		
		Pay Measure Comparison
		Demographic Data Sources
		COVID-19 Economic Trends
		Industry Productivity Viewer
		Employment and Wages Data Viewer
		Industry Finder from the Quarterly Census of Employment and WagesCustomized Tables
		U.S. Economy at a Glance
		Regions, States & Areas at a Glance
		Industry at a Glance			
		Text Files
		News Release Tables
		
		More Sources of Data
		Restricted Data Access
		Discontinued Databases
		Questions & Answers
		Special Notices
    Publications
        Latest Publications
		The Economics Daily
		Monthly Labor Review
		Beyond the Numbers
		Spotlight on Statistics
		Reports
		Commissioner's Corner
		Videos
		Career OutlookOccupational Outlook Handbook
		Geographic Profile
		Handbook of Methods
		Research Papers
		Copyright Information
		Contact & Help
		Weekly Update
    Economic Releases
        Latest Releases
		Major Economic Indicators
		Schedules for news Releases
		By Month
		By News Release
		Current Year
		Prior Years
		Archived News ReleasesEmployment & Unemployment
		Monthly
		Quarterly, annual, and other
		Inflation & Prices
		Pay & Benefits & Workplace Injuries
		Productivity & Technology
		Employment Projections
		Regional News Releases
    Classroom
        K-12 Student & Teacher Resources		
        Games & Quizzes
		Student's Desk
		Teacher's Desk
		Questions & Answers
    Beta
        Redesigned News Releases


OOH HOME |
                
                               
								OCCUPATION FINDER |
                				
                                OOH FAQ |
                
                                HOW TO FIND A JOB |
                
                                        A-Z INDEX |
                                    
                				
				                OOH SITE MAP
    
        
	
		
	
    Occupational Outlook Handbook >
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            		
		
                          Computer and Information Technology >
                Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers
	
	
    PRINTER-FRIENDLY                Print
  Summary        What They Do
        Work Environment
        How to Become One
        Pay
        Job Outlook
		State & Area Data        Similar Occupations
        More Info Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
                                                                
                                            
                        Please enable javascript to play this video.
							Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WQ_VV4pXPc.
												
                        Quick Facts:     Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers2023     Median Pay
                                    $130,160     per year
                                        $62.58     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    1,795,300Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    25% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    451,200What Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers Do
                        
                        
                        
Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Many software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers work in computer systems design and related services, in manufacturing, or for software publishers. They often work in offices and on teams with other software developers or quality assurance analysts and testers.
            
                                                How to Become a Software Developer, Quality Assurance Analyst, or Tester
                                                
                        
Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire developers who have a master’s degree.
            
                        Pay
                        
																		
																			
																		
						    					        							    							The median annual wage for software developers was $132,270 in May 2023.    							                                							    							The median annual wage for software quality assurance analysts and testers was $101,800 in May 2023.    							                            												
            
                        Job Outlook
                            						Overall employment    							of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow    							 25 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
    						
    						About 153,900 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
    			
    						 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
												
						
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for     software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.
            
            
						
            
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.  What They Do ->
 What Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers Do 
            
            About this section
            Software developersDevelopers create diagrams that help programmers write computer code.            
Software developers create the computer applications that allow users to do specific tasks and the underlying systems that run the devices or control networks. Software quality assurance analysts and testers design and execute software tests to identify problems and learn how the software works.
Duties
Software developers typically do the following:
Analyze users’ needs and then design and develop software to meet those needs
Recommend software upgrades for customers’ existing programs and systems
Design each piece of an application or system and plan how the pieces will work together
Create a variety of models and diagrams showing programmers the software code needed for an application
Ensure that a program continues to function normally through software maintenance and testing
Document every aspect of an application or system as a reference for future maintenance and upgradesSoftware quality assurance analysts and testers typically do the following:
Create test plans, scenarios, and procedures for new software
Identify project risks and recommend steps to minimize those risks
Implement software testing, using either manual or automated programs and exploratory testing, and evaluate results
Document and report defects or problems with software
Provide feedback to software developers and stakeholders regarding usability and functionalitySoftware developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are involved in the entire process of creating a software program. Developers may begin by asking how the customer plans to use the software so that they can identify the core functionality the user needs. Software developers also determine other requirements, such as security. They design the program and then work closely with programmers, who write computer code. However, some developers write code themselves instead of giving instructions to programmers.
Software quality assurance analysts and testers design and execute systems to check the software for problems. As part of their testing, these workers document and track the software’s potential defects or risks. They also assess its usability and functionality to identify difficulties a user might have. After completing testing, they report the results to software or web developers and review ways to solve any problems they found.
After the program is released to the customer, a developer may perform upgrades and maintenance. Quality assurance analysts and testers run manual and automated checks to look for errors and usability problems once the software is released and after any upgrades or maintenance.
The following are examples of types of software developers:
***Applications software developers*** design computer applications, such as games, for consumers. They may create custom software for a specific customer or commercial software to be sold to the general public. Some applications software developers create databases or programs for use internally or online.
***Software engineers*** take a broad view of a project’s system and software requirements, planning its scope and order of work. These workers may direct software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.
***Systems software developers*** create the operating systems for the public or specifically for an organization. These operating systems keep computers functioning and control most of the consumer electronics in use today, including those in cell phones and cars. Often, systems software developers also build the interface that allows users to interact with the computer.
Developers who supervise a software project from the planning stages through implementation sometimes are called information technology (IT) project managers. These workers monitor the project’s progress to ensure that it meets deadlines, standards, and cost targets. For information on IT project managers who plan and direct an organization’s IT department or IT policies, see the profile on computer and information systems (CIS) managers.  <-     Summary                Work Environment ->
 Work Environment About this section
            Software developersDevelopers may oversee a team of people during the software development process.			
		
		
		
	
	        
    	    	    	    	
    	    
    	    
    	
    	
    	    
    	
    	    
    	
            		    			 Software developers held about 1.6 million jobs in 2022. The largest employers of software developers were as follows:
            Computer systems design and related services
                    33%Software publishers
                    11Finance and insurance
                    10Manufacturing
                    8Management of companies and enterprises
                    5Software quality assurance analysts and testers held about 200,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of software quality assurance analysts and testers were as follows:
            Computer systems design and related services
                    32%Finance and insurance
                    11Software publishers
                    10Manufacturing
                    7Administrative and support services
                    7Developing software is usually a collaborative process. As a result, developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers work on teams with others who also contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software.
Work Schedules
Most software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers work full time.  <-     What They Do
                How to Become One ->
 How to Become a Software Developer, Quality Assurance Analyst, or Tester About this section
            Software developersSoftware developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor’s degree.            
Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire developers who have a master’s degree.
Education
Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering or mathematics. Computer and information technology degree programs cover a broad range of topics. Students may gain experience in software development by completing an internship, such as at a software company, while in college. For some software developer positions, employers may prefer that applicants have a master’s degree.
Although writing code is not their primary responsibility, developers must have a strong background in computer programming. They usually gain this experience in school. Throughout their career, developers must keep up to date on new tools and computer languages.
Advancement
Software developers can advance to become project management specialists or computer and information systems managers, positions in which they oversee the software development process.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers must evaluate users’ needs and then design software to function properly and meet those needs.
***Communication skills***. These workers must be able to give clear instructions and explain problems that arise to other team members involved in development. They must also be able to explain to nontechnical users, such as customers, how the software works and answer any questions that arise.
***Creativity.*** Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers must be innovative in their approaches to designing, identifying problems with, and improving computer software.
***Detail oriented.*** These workers often need to concentrate on many parts of an application or system at the same time, and they must pay attention to detail when looking for potential areas of user error.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, programming, and testing successful software.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Because these workers produce software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process.  <-     Work Environment
                Pay ->
 Pay About this section
            
                                                        
    
     
                                                     
            
    
                        Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and TestersMedian annual wages, May 2023Software developers$132,270  Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers$130,160  Computer occupations$104,420  Software quality assurance analysts and testers$101,800  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 software developers was $132,270 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 $77,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,620.The median annual wage for software quality assurance analysts and testers was $101,800 in May 2023. 
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $58,740, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $164,520.
		
	
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for software developers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Software publishers
                $143,210Manufacturing
                138,100Finance and insurance
                132,900Management of companies and enterprises
                131,370Computer systems design and related services
                127,880In May 2023, the median annual wages for software quality assurance analysts and testers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Manufacturing
                $123,100Software publishers
                100,780Finance and insurance
                100,580Computer systems design and related services
                100,370Administrative and support services
                99,840Most software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers work full time.  <-     How to Become One
                Job Outlook ->
 Job Outlook About this section
 
   
   
        
        
    
          
        
    
                        Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and TestersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Software developers26%  Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers25%  Software quality assurance analysts and testers20%  Computer occupations14%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
    
    
    
			Overall employment				of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow				 25 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 153,900 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
	    			Employment
            
Increased demand for software developers, software quality assurance analysts, and testers will stem from the continued expansion of software development for artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and other automation applications.
In response to concerns over threats to computer security, organizations are expected to increase investment in software that protects their electronic networks and infrastructure. This investment could result in an increased demand for developers to create security software and for quality assurance analysts and testers to create and execute software tests.
Software developers, software quality assurance analysts, and testers are likely to see new opportunities because of the increasing number of products that use software. For example, software systems continue to be built for consumer electronics and other products, including IoT-connected devices and electric vehicles.

		
                        Employment projections data for     software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers, 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**Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers**
			—
			1,795,300
			2,246,500
			25
			451,200
			—**Software developers**
			15-1252
			1,594,500
			2,004,900
			26
			410,400
			Get data**Software quality assurance analysts and testers**
			15-1253
			200,800
			241,600
			20
			40,800
			Get data  <-     Pay
                				State & Area Data ->
 State & Area Data About this section
                   
			**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 OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.
				
		
			Software developers
					Software quality assurance analysts and testers**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.org. 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.  <-     Job Outlook
                Similar Occupations ->
 Similar Occupations About this section This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. 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 Programmers**
            Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,700**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**Data Scientists**
            Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.
            Bachelor's degree
            $108,020**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**Mathematicians and Statisticians**
            Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems.
            Master's degree
            $104,860**Postsecondary Teachers**
            Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.
            See How to Become One
            $84,380**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  <-     State & Area Data
                				More Info ->
 Contacts for More Information About this section
                                
For more information about software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers, visit
Association for Computing Machinery
Association for Software Testing
IEEE Computer Society
Computing Research Association
CompTIA
For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit
National Center for Women & Information Technology
CareerOneStop
For career videos on software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers, visit
Software developers, applications
Software quality assurance analysts and testers
                
                
				
                                                                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Software DevelopersSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers  <-     Similar Occupations
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm (visited *May 14, 2024*).
  **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024 What They Do The *What They Do* tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.
 Work Environment The *Work Environment* tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.
 How to Become One The *How to Become One* tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.
 Pay The *Pay* tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.
 State & Area Data The *State and Area Data* tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.
 Job Outlook The *Job Outlook* tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.
 Similar Occupations The *Similar Occupations* tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.
 Contacts for More Information The *More Information* tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
 2023 Median Pay The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.
 On-the-job Training Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.
 Entry-level Education Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.
 Work experience in a related occupation Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.
 Number of Jobs, 2022 The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2022, which is the base year of the 2022-32 employment projections.
 Job Outlook, 2022-32 The projected percent change in employment from 2022 to 2032. The average growth rate for all occupations is 3 percent.
 Employment Change, 2022-32 The projected numeric change in employment from 2022 to 2032.
 Entry-level Education Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.
 On-the-job Training Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.
 Employment Change, projected 2022-32 The projected numeric change in employment from 2022 to 2032.
 Growth Rate (Projected) The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2022 to 2032.
 Projected Number of New Jobs The projected numeric change in employment from 2022 to 2032.
 Projected Growth Rate The projected percent change in employment from 2022 to 2032.
 2023 Median Pay The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.
 Facebook
 Twitter
 LinkedIn


Home
   Subjects
   Data Tools
   Publications
   Economic Releases
   Classroom
   Beta


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections 
PSB Suite 2135 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE  
Washington, DC 20212-0001 Telephone:1-202-691-5700 www.bls.gov/ooh Contact OOH
 resources  Inspector General (OIG)
								Budget and Performance	
								Department of Labor Grants									
								No Fear Act
								USA.gov
								Vote.gov
 about the site  Sitemap						
								Freedom of Information Act
								Privacy and Security Statement
								Disclaimers
								Linking and Copyright Info	
								Important Website Notices
								Help and Tutorials
								Babel Notice: accessing language services


Twitter Youtube Email


- Publications
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Computer and Information Technology