Career profile · 15-1252
Software Developers
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.
What the work can involve
- 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.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This O*NET group commonly calls for substantial preparation, often including a bachelor’s degree or considerable relevant experience. An introductory vocational course alone may not provide an entry route.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Working with Computers
- Processing Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Thinking Creatively
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
- Artificial Intelligence33 institutions →
- Information Technology449 institutions →
- Informatics13 institutions →
- Computer Programming/Programmer, General436 institutions →
- Computer Programming, Specific Applications159 institutions →
- Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification34 institutions →
- Computer Game Programming22 institutions →
- Computer Programming, Specific Platforms10 institutions →
- Information Science/Studies144 institutions →
- Computer Science329 institutions →
- Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation20 institutions →
- Cloud Computing60 institutions →
- Computer Software Technology/Technician21 institutions →
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Constant contact with others | 35.2%08/2025 · sample 28 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | Never | 96.5%08/2025 · sample 28 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 97.5%08/2025 · sample 28 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Never | 99.4%08/2025 · sample 27 |
| Spend Time Sitting | Continually or almost continually | 95.5%08/2025 · sample 28 |
| Time Pressure | Once a week or more but not every day | 39.7%08/2025 · sample 28 |
| Work Schedules | Regular (established routine, set schedule) | 98.4%08/2025 · sample 27 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Access software: Citrix cloud computing software, PuTTY
- Administration software: Software distribution management software
- Analytical or scientific software: Data analysis software, Dynamic modeling software, IBM SPSS Statistics, MathWorks Simulink
- Application server software: Atlassian Bitbucket, Docker, GitHub, GitLab
- Authentication server software: Single sign-on SSO
- Backup or archival software: Backup and archival software, Veritas NetBackup
- Business intelligence and data analysis software: Alteryx software, Google Looker Analytics, IBM Cognos Impromptu, MicroStrategy
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software: Dropbox, Google Drive, Platform as a service PaaS, Slack
- Cloud-based management software: Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation, Google Cloud software, IBM WebSphere, IBM WebSphere MQ
- Clustering software: VMware
- Communications server software: IBM Domino
- Computer based training software: Moodle
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Physical demands and schedule evidence
BLS surveyed jobs in the broader occupation Software developers (SOC 15-1252). These preliminary 2025 estimates describe work requirements across surveyed employers. Individual workplaces, adjustments and duties differ.
Explore 57 occupational requirement estimates
| Requirement | Share of workers | Standard error |
|---|---|---|
| Workers that had work schedule variability required | 23.2% | 4.9 percentage points |
| Workers that had the ability to pause work Estimate is greater than 95 percent. This estimate is the mode for the category group. | >95% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that had the ability to telework This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 77.2% | 10.2 percentage points |
| Workers that required on-the-job training This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 60.1% | 7.4 percentage points |
| Workers that required prior work experience This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 76.0% | 11.7 percentage points |
| Workers that were not exposed to extreme cold Estimate is greater than 99.5 percent. This estimate is the mode for the category group. | >99.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, seldom Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, occasionally Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme cold Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were not exposed to extreme heat Estimate is greater than 99.5 percent. This estimate is the mode for the category group. | >99.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, seldom Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, occasionally Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme heat Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to quiet noise This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 55.4% | 11.6 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to moderate noise | 44.6% | 11.6 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to loud noise Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to very loud noise Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that used personal protective equipment to mitigate exposure to noise Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were not exposed to outdoors Estimate is greater than 99.5 percent. This estimate is the mode for the category group. | >99.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to outdoors, seldom Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to outdoors, occasionally Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to outdoors, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to outdoors, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to outdoors Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were allowed the choice of sitting or standing Estimate is greater than 99.5 percent. This estimate is the mode for the category group. | >99.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were not allowed the choice of sitting or standing Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, seldom Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, occasionally Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required driving Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required low postures, seldom Estimate is less than 5 percent. | <5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required low postures, occasionally Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required low postures, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required low postures, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required work in low postures Estimate is less than 5 percent. | <5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that could choose to crawl when in low postures Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that could choose to stoop when in low postures Estimate is less than 5 percent. | <5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that could choose to kneel when in low postures Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that could choose to crouch when in low postures Estimate is less than 5 percent. | <5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required reaching overhead, seldom Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required reaching overhead, occasionally Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required reaching overhead, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required reaching overhead, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required reaching overhead with one hand Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required reaching overhead with both hands Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required reaching overhead Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required a sedentary strength level Estimate is greater than 99.5 percent. This estimate is the mode for the category group. | >99.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required a light strength level Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required a medium strength level Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required a heavy strength level Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required a very heavy strength level Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
Use this evidence to ask about the actual work environment and available accommodations. It is not a medical assessment or a reason to rule yourself out of an occupation.
BLS Occupational Requirements Survey, preliminary 2025, released January 16, 2026; samples collected August 2023–July 2025. Source bounds such as “less than” are preserved. Categories are not necessarily additive. Understanding standard errors.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for software developers
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 51 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $122,540 | $58.91 | 17,450 |
| Alaska | Not published | Not published | 530 |
| Arizona | $129,690 | $62.35 | 38,050 |
| Arkansas | $104,490 | $50.23 | 6,050 |
| California | $174,410 | $83.85 | 284,390 |
| Colorado | $138,390 | $66.53 | 43,320 |
| Connecticut | $134,120 | $64.48 | 13,660 |
| Delaware | $133,020 | $63.95 | 3,380 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 | $65.81 | 6,120 |
| Florida | $130,980 | $62.97 | 87,890 |
| Georgia | $131,010 | $62.99 | 49,700 |
| Hawaii | $124,040 | $59.64 | 1,600 |
| Idaho | $131,590 | $63.26 | 5,750 |
| Illinois | $132,110 | $63.52 | 56,310 |
| Indiana | $105,920 | $50.92 | 14,130 |
| Iowa | $114,890 | $55.24 | 9,040 |
| Kansas | $113,420 | $54.53 | 13,580 |
| Kentucky | $109,010 | $52.41 | 7,660 |
| Louisiana | $102,800 | $49.42 | 4,080 |
| Maine | $123,120 | $59.19 | 2,790 |
| Maryland | $138,680 | $66.67 | 31,350 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 | $79.43 | 48,190 |
| Michigan | $125,570 | $60.37 | 43,460 |
| Minnesota | $130,050 | $62.52 | 35,890 |
| Mississippi | $95,330 | $45.83 | 1,880 |
| Missouri | $126,120 | $60.64 | 20,020 |
| Montana | $121,990 | $58.65 | 2,160 |
| Nebraska | $110,900 | $53.32 | 7,260 |
| Nevada | $128,810 | $61.93 | 4,520 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 | $67.17 | 10,840 |
| New Jersey | $135,940 | $65.36 | 51,570 |
| New Mexico | $124,520 | $59.86 | 3,960 |
| New York | $166,180 | $79.89 | 113,510 |
| North Carolina | $134,710 | $64.76 | 58,470 |
| North Dakota | $105,600 | $50.77 | 1,450 |
| Ohio | $114,090 | $54.85 | 44,790 |
| Oklahoma | $118,100 | $56.78 | 6,880 |
| Oregon | $142,720 | $68.62 | 21,830 |
| Pennsylvania | $126,550 | $60.84 | 55,920 |
| Rhode Island | $130,590 | $62.78 | 5,070 |
| South Carolina | $129,450 | $62.24 | 13,230 |
| South Dakota | $96,310 | $46.30 | 2,380 |
| Tennessee | $122,430 | $58.86 | 19,030 |
| Texas | $132,150 | $63.54 | 163,880 |
| Utah | $128,810 | $61.93 | 31,940 |
| Vermont | $125,280 | $60.23 | 1,740 |
| Virginia | $136,460 | $65.61 | 88,280 |
| Washington | $166,540 | $80.07 | 107,030 |
| West Virginia | $121,000 | $58.18 | 2,650 |
| Wisconsin | $122,660 | $58.97 | 21,730 |
| Wyoming | $115,170 | $55.37 | 1,510 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 513 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
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Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
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 CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 15-1252.00.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.