Computer Occupations

How to become a Computer Programmer

Official title: Computer Programmers

Also called: Analyst Programmer, Application Programmer Analyst, Computer Programmer, Computer Programmer Analyst, Internet Programmer, Java Developer, Programmer, Programmer Analyst, Web Applications Programmer, Web Programmer

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

Main tasks

Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language.
Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.

How to become one

Computer programmers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. Most programmers specialize in several programming languages.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Computer Programmer.
Apprenticeship: Programmer, Engineer & Scientific.
Apprenticeship: Prompt Engineer.
College: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 34 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $100,390 a year The middle half earn $75,850 to $130,680.
About 110,800 people work in this job now, and about 102,700 are projected by 2035. (-7.3%)
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Computer Programmer?

Computer programmers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. Most programmers specialize in several programming languages.

How much does a Computer Programmer earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $100,390 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $75,850 to $130,680.

Is a Computer Programmer a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to fall 7% by 2035, from about 110,800 to about 102,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Computer Programmer?

Usually. 71% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Computer Programmer?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.