Computer and Mathematical · Holland code CIR

Computer Programmers

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.

Also called: Analyst Programmer, Computer Programmer, Programmer, Programmer Analyst, Application Programmer Analyst, Computer Programmer Analyst, Internet Programmer, Java Developer.

O*NET 15-1251.00

At a glance

US median annual pay: $100,390; Middle half earn $75,850 to $130,680. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Most common education: Bachelor's Degree; 88% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
Preparation needed: Job Zone 4 of 5; Considerable preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
US employment outlook, 2024 to 2034: -6% · Decline; 121,200 jobs in 2024, projected 113,900. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which groups this with similar roles as "Computer programmers".

What the work involves

The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.

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.

Skills and knowledge it leans on

Skills

Active Listening3.8 / 5
Critical Thinking3.8 / 5
Reading Comprehension3.4 / 5
Writing3.3 / 5
Speaking3.1 / 5
Mathematics3.1 / 5

Knowledge areas

Computers and Electronics4.9 / 5
Mathematics3.5 / 5
Engineering and Technology3.5 / 5
English Language3.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service3.3 / 5
Administration and Management3.3 / 5

Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.

Who tends to enjoy it

How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.

Realistic40
Investigative68
Artistic25
Social16
Enterprising18
Conventional82

The same work abroad

Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.

European occupation titles (ESCO)

ICT system developer · DE IT-Systementwickler/IT-Systementwicklerin · FR développeur de systèmes informatiques/développeuse de systèmes informatiques
software analyst · DE Softwareanalytiker/Softwareanalytikerin · FR analyste logiciel
software developer · DE Softwareentwickler/Softwareentwicklerin · FR développeur de logiciels/développeuse de logiciels
web developer · DE Web-Designer/Web-Designerin · FR développeur web/développeuse web
ICT application developer · DE IT-Anwendungsentwickler/IT-Anwendungsentwicklerin · FR concepteur de logiciels d’application/conceptrice de logiciels d’application
industrial mobile devices software developer · DE Softwareentwickler Industrielle Mobilgeräte/Softwareentwicklerin Industrielle Mobilgeräte · FR développeur de logiciels pour appareils mobiles destinés à l’industrie/développeuse de logiciels pour appareils mobiles destinés à l’industrie

Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)

Programmers and software development professionals (2134)543,400 employed
IT business analysts, architects and systems designers (2133)212,200 employed
Information technology professionals n.e.c. (2139)140,000 employed

Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.

Japan

Japan classifies jobs in its own way. The closest category that names the same work is “ソフトウェア作成者”, which may be narrower or broader than this occupation.

Median monthly pay: ¥329,500; Middle half earn ¥273,700 to ¥403,400 a month.
Workers in the category: 817,860; Regular employees in firms of ten or more.

Scheduled monthly pay before tax, excluding overtime and bonuses, so it is not comparable to the annual figures above. Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025, via e-Stat, under the Japanese Government Standard Terms of Use. The category match was made by hand.

Pay across Europe, for the whole group

Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.

Median annual earnings, Professionals, by country
Country	Median pay
Belgium	€61,714
Germany	€59,529
Ireland	€56,877
Austria	€55,374
Netherlands	€53,595
Sweden	€43,567
France	€41,515
Spain	€35,735
Italy	€33,649
Portugal	€26,072
Poland	€14,380

Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.

Is it a fit for you?

Interest is one input, alongside ability, pay and what is hiring near you. The career interests test takes about thirteen minutes and ranks occupations by how closely their profile matches yours.

Take the career interests test