Software Developer is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, projected to grow +15.8% through 2034. Median pay sits at $135,980 nationally, a strong return for the training investment.
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:
Software Developer earn $135,980 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $105,210 and $171,980. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Well above average for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Software Developer roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +15.8% employment change for Software Developer through 2034, well above the national average of +5%. About 115,200 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Much faster than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Software Developer professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $135,980 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 292,630 | $170,910 | +25.7% |
| 2 | Texas | 151,460 | $130,500 | -4.0% |
| 3 | New York | 104,130 | $161,260 | +18.6% |
| 4 | Washington | 91,470 | $166,910 | +22.7% |
| 5 | Virginia | 83,290 | $134,470 | -1.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Software Developer positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 10 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Information Systems | 103,827 | $92,374 | 1,579 |
| 2 | Computer Science | 72,693 | $107,009 | 1,053 |
| 3 | Information Science | 20,202 | $85,294 | 473 |
| 4 | Computer Engineering | 18,973 | $109,015 | 418 |
| 5 | Computer Software & Media | 14,684 | $58,894 | 726 |
| 6 | Computer Systems Networking | 13,734 | $73,587 | 618 |
| 7 | Computer Programming | 12,983 | $83,439 | 628 |
| 8 | Data Science | 4,416 | — | 256 |
| 9 | Computer Engineering Tech | 3,432 | $83,742 | 250 |
| 10 | Mathematics and Computer Science | 1,489 | $118,943 | 98 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 5 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
Once you've sized up Software Developer, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Software Developer pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Strong earnings and growing demand make Software Developer a compelling path. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
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