Software Developer

Career Overview

Software developers design, build, test, and improve the applications, platforms, and digital tools people use every day. They work with programming languages, databases, cloud technology, AI, and other technologies to create software for computers, mobile devices, businesses, and emerging technologies.

Education

A college diploma or university degree in computer science, software development, software engineering, or a related field can prepare you for this career. Employers may also value strong programming skills, certifications, and a portfolio of projects.

Work Environment

Software developers work for technology companies, software publishers, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, governments, and many other industries. Many work remotely or in collaborative technology teams, using cloud-based development tools and AI-assisted programming.

Future Outlook

Software continues to expand into nearly every industry, from AI and cybersecurity to robotics, healthcare, finance, gaming, and smart devices. Demand for software developers is expected to remain strong as organizations build new digital products and update existing systems.

Recommended High School Courses

Computer Science
Business
English
Mathematics
Data Science
Data Management
Computer Technology

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Modify software programs to improve performance.
Analyze project data to determine specifications or requirements.
Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve problems in scientific or applied fields.
Assess database performance.
Design software applications.
Prepare data for analysis.
Develop testing routines or procedures.
Manage information technology projects or system activities.
Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
Supervise information technology personnel.
Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology.
Coordinate software or hardware installation.
Monitor computer system performance to ensure proper operation.
Teach others to use computer equipment or hardware.
Document technical specifications or requirements.
Provide recommendations to others about computer hardware.

Schools

Adams State University

Angelo State University

Auburn University

Augustana University

Austin College

Baker College Online

Bard College

Barnard College

Baylor University

Bellevue University

Belmont University

Beloit College

Bemidji State University

Bethel University

Boston College

Boston University

Bradley University

Brandeis University

Brescia University

Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University-...

Cal Poly Pomona

California Baptist Univer...

Champlain College

Charleston Southern Unive...

Clarkson University

Cleveland State Universit...

Drew University

Drexel University

Durham Technical Communit...

Embry-riddle Aeronautical...

Fairfield University

Fayetteville State Univer...

Ferris State University

Florida Agricultural And...

Florida Atlantic Universi...

Florida Gulf Coast Univer...

Florida Institute Of Tech...

Florida Polytechnic Unive...

Florida State University

Framingham State Universi...

Gannon University- Erie C...

Green River College- Aubu...

Hanover College

Herzing University- Akron...

Herzing University- Birmi...

Herzing University- Brook...

Herzing University- Madis...

Herzing University- Minne...

Herzing University- New O...

Herzing University- Orlan...

Independence University

Jacksonville State Univer...

Lafayette College

Lake Washington Institute...

Liberty University

Loyola University - Chica...

Marist College

Miami University - Oxford...

Mississippi College

Montclair State Universit...

Morehouse College

Mount Mercy University

New College Of Florida

New York University

Oakland Community College

Occidental College

Oklahoma Christian Univer...

Oklahoma State University...

Olivet Nazarene Universit...

Pennsylvania State Univer...

Portland State University

Quinnipiac University

Rose-hulman Institute Of...

Saint Joseph's University

Saint Mary's College Of C...

Saint Xavier University

San Diego State Universit...

San Jose State University

Sarah Lawrence College

Skidmore College

South Dakota State Univer...

Southern Utah University

Southwestern University

St. Bonaventure Universit...

St. John's University- Qu...

St. Lawrence University

Stanford University

Stevens Institute Of Tech...

Suny At New Paltz

Suny At Potsdam

Suny Plattsburgh

Suny Polytechnic Institut...

Texas A & M University- C...

Towson University

Trident University Intern...

Trinity College- Hartford...

Trinity University- San A...

Tulane University

Union College- New York

United States Air Force A...

United States Military Ac...

United States Naval Acade...

University Of California-...

University Of Central Ark...

University Of Central Mis...

University Of Charleston

University Of Colorado- C...

University Of Colorado- D...

University Of Dallas

University Of Detroit Mer...

University Of Hawaii- Hil...

University Of Illinois- C...

University Of Illinois- S...

University Of Maine- Fort...

University Of Management...

University Of Mary Washin...

University Of Maryland -...

University Of Maryland- B...

University Of Maryland- E...

University Of Massachuset...

University Of Minnesota-...

University Of Missouri- C...

University Of Missouri- K...

University Of Montana

University Of Mount Union

University Of New Haven

University Of North Carol...

University Of North Texas

University Of Puget Sound

University Of Redlands

University Of Rhode Islan...

University Of Richmond

University Of San Francis...

University Of Scranton

University Of South Carol...

University Of Southern Mi...

University Of Texas- Arli...

University Of Texas- Dall...

University Of Texas- Perm...

University Of Texas- Tyle...

University Of The Pacific

University Of Tulsa

University Of Vermont

University Of Wisconsin-...

Utica College

Virginia Wesleyan Univers...

Wabash College

Washington And Lee Univer...

Wayne State University

Wells College

Wesleyan University

Western Illinois Universi...

Western Kentucky Universi...

Wheaton College- Illinois...

Wheaton College- Massachu...

Whitman College

Williams College

Winthrop University

Wright State University

York College Of Pennsylva...

Algoma University- Bra...

Bow Valley College- Do...

Canadian Business Coll...

École De Technologie S...

King's University

Lakehead University- O...

Lakehead University- T...

Mohawk College- Fennel...

Ontario Tech Universit...

Polytechnique Montréal

Simon Fraser Universit...

St. Francis Xavier Uni...

Thompson Rivers Univer...

University Of Alberta-...

University Of British...

University Of New Brun...

University Of Northern...

University Of Prince E...

University Of Quebec-...

University Of Regina

University Of Toronto-...

University Of Windsor-...

Wilfred Laurier Univer...

USA

Canada

Potential Scholarships

Cad - Schulich Leader Sch...

Cad - Bank Of Canada Scho...

Cad - Generation Google S...

Cad - Rbc Future Launch S...

Cad - Horatio Alger Canad...

Usd - Info Technology -vi...

Usd - Info Tech -lockheed...

Usd - Info Tech - Cyberco...

Usd - Info Tech -afcea St...

Usd - Info Tech - Generat...

Approx Salary Expectation

Low End:

$82,000.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$136,000.00 /yr

High End:

$215,000.00 /yr

Related Careers

Software Engineer

AI Governance Specialist

Computer Support Specialists

Information Technology Manager

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.