Software Developer

Your Fit

Income

$133K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

25.7%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Software Developer?

Software Developers are professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain software applications or systems. They play a key role in creating the computer programs and systems that power modern technology and digital services.

Sample job titles:

Application Developer, Application Integration Engineer, Software Architect, Software Developer

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Software Developer.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Software Developer earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$80K per year	$103K per year	$133K per year	$169K per year	$211K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $84K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Software Developer do?

Work environment

Software Developers typically work in well-lit, comfortable office environments, though remote work is increasingly common. They are employed across various industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and government. The job often involves collaboration with other developers, designers, and project managers, and may require occasional overtime to meet project deadlines.

Quick task list

Designs, codes, and debugs software applications.
Tests and maintains software to ensure functionality and efficiency.
Collaborates with other team members to develop and refine software projects.
Documents the software for future maintenance and upgrades.
Keeps up to date with new technology trends and programming languages.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Front-End Development: Focusing on the user interface and experience of software applications.
Back-End Development: Handling the server-side logic and database interactions of software applications.
Mobile Application Development: Specializing in creating applications for mobile platforms like iOS and Android.
Game Development: Designing and programming computer and video games.
DevOps Engineering: Integrating development and operations to improve the collaboration and productivity of software development.

Description

Software Developers are at the heart of the digital world, creating the applications and systems that facilitate modern life. Their work involves the entire lifecycle of software development, from initial concept and design to final deployment and maintenance. They need to be proficient in various programming languages and development frameworks, with an ability to think logically and solve problems efficiently.

The role of a Software Developer requires both technical skill and creativity. They must be able to understand complex requirements and translate them into functional software. This often involves writing clean, efficient, and well-documented code. Developers work in a fast-paced environment and need to be adaptable to changing technologies and methodologies.

Collaboration is a key aspect of the job, as developers often work in teams to build and refine software products. They must have good communication skills to interact with non-technical stakeholders and translate technical jargon into understandable language. Continuous learning is essential, as the field of software development is constantly evolving with new technologies and practices.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Creating software that solves real-world problems and improves lives.
The intellectual challenge of coding and problem-solving.
Opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth in a dynamic field.

You might make a good Software Developer if you are...

Analytical and enjoy solving complex problems.
Passionate about technology and coding.
Detail-oriented, able to focus on the intricacies of software design and development.
A creative thinker, capable of coming up with innovative solutions.
A good communicator, both for collaborating with team members and explaining technical concepts.

Pros:

High demand for software development skills in a variety of industries.
Opportunities for creative and innovative work.
Potential for high earnings and flexible work arrangements, including remote work.

Cons:

The need to continually update skills and learn new programming languages.
Can involve long hours and tight project deadlines.
The fast-paced nature of the field can be stressful.

How to become a Software Developer

Typical education

Most Software Developers have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, which is about 4 years of post-secondary education. Some positions may require a master's degree or specific technical certifications.

High school preparation

Courses:

Computer science to learn the basics of programming and software development.
Mathematics, especially algebra and calculus, to develop problem-solving skills.
Physics to understand the principles that underpin technology and software.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining or starting a coding club to gain practical experience.
Participating in hackathons or coding competitions.
Building personal programming projects or contributing to open-source software.

Preparation after high school

Pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field.
Completing internships in software development for practical experience.
Obtaining certifications in specific programming languages or technologies.

More resources

Stack Overflow - A community of developers with a wealth of information and resources.
GitHub - A platform for hosting and collaborating on software projects.
Codecademy - Offers interactive coding lessons in various programming languages.
Coursera - Provides online courses in computer science and software development from universities.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.