Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Developer
- Software Architect
- Software Developer
- Software Engineer
Alternate Job Titles
- AI Specialist (Artificial Intelligence Specialist)
- Application Analyst
- Application Architect
- Application Developer
- Application Engineer
- Application Integration Engineer
- Application Integrator
- Application Programmer
- Application Software Engineering IT Specialist (Application Software Engineering Information Technology Specialist)
- Application Support Engineer
- Application Systems Analyst
- Application Systems Architect
- Beta Tester
- Business Application Developer
- Certified Internetwork Expert
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
- Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
- Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
- Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.
- Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.
- Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.
- Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Programming
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Category Flexibility
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Innovation
- Dependability
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- AJAX
- Alteryx software
- Amazon DynamoDB
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2
Tools & Equipment
- Application servers
- Computer servers
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Directory servers
- Flash disks
- Graphics processing unit GPU
- In circuit emulators ICE
- Logic analyzers
- Mainframe computers
- Multi-core central processing unit CPU
- Notebook computers
Work Environment
- Spend Time Sitting
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $79,850 |
| Median | $133,080 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $211,450 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 1,654,440
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $108,970
Computer Systems Analysts
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $103,790
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $102,610
Computer Programmers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $98,670
Database Administrators
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $104,620
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.