Computer Occupations

How to become a Software Developer

Official title: Software Developers

Also called: Application Developer, Application Integration Engineer, Developer, DevOps Engineer (Development Operations Engineer), Infrastructure Engineer, Software Architect, Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, Software Engineer, Systems Engineer

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.

Main tasks

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.
Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design.

How to become one

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.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

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

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Application Developer.
Apprenticeship: Commercial Drone Software Developer.
Apprenticeship: Devops Engineer (Nof).
College: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 34 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $135,980 a year The middle half earn $105,210 to $171,980.
About 1,717,800 people work in this job now, and about 1,892,600 are projected by 2035. (+10.2%)
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 Software Developer?

How much does a Software Developer earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $135,980 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $105,210 to $171,980.

Is a Software Developer a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 1,717,800 to about 1,892,600 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Software Developer?

Usually. 86% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Software Developer?

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.