Software Developer career guide
A software developer designs, builds and maintains applications, from mobile apps and websites to internal business systems and the services behind them. Most work in teams with designers, product managers and other engineers.
Pay data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Job content: O*NET 31.0. Updated 2026-10-26.
- $135,980median annual wage (U.S.)
- $65.38median hourly wage
- 1,687,890people employed in the U.S.
- Bachelor's Degreemost common required education
What a software developer does
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.
Typical 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.
A typical day
A typical day includes writing and reviewing code, fixing bugs, discussing designs with teammates and shipping small changes. Many teams work in short cycles with a daily check-in and regular planning. Testing, documentation and helping teammates take more time than many people expect.
Skills employers look for
These are the skills O*NET rates as most important for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Programming
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Systems Analysis
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
Tools and technology
Examples of technology used in this occupation, from O*NET: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, AJAX, Alteryx software, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2.
Education and training
When O*NET asked people in this occupation what education the job requires, the most common answers were:
- Bachelor's Degree: 85% of respondents
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree: 5% of respondents
- Master's Degree: 5% of respondents
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Software Developer pay
The median annual wage for software developers was $135,980 in May 2025 ($65.38 an hour). Half of workers earned between $105,210 and $171,980.
Highest-paying states
- California: $174,410 median
- Washington: $166,540 median
- New York: $166,180 median
- Massachusetts: $165,210 median
- Oregon: $142,720 median
States with the most software developers
- California: 284,390 employed
- Texas: 163,880 employed
- New York: 113,510 employed
- Washington: 107,030 employed
- Virginia: 88,280 employed
Software Developer pay in every state
How to get hired
Most developers have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, but many teams also hire from bootcamps and self-taught backgrounds with strong portfolios. A project you built and can explain is often worth more than a list of languages. Expect technical interviews that include coding problems, a take-home task or a system design discussion.
Job titles you may see
Developer, Software Architect, Software Developer, Software Engineer.
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Software Developer salary by state · Software Developer job description and interview questions
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment estimates: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, cross-industry estimates for all ownerships. Figures are as published; BLS does not publish some estimates for some states. As defined by BLS, wages include tips, commissions and production bonuses, and exclude overtime pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and other premium pay. BLS OEWS
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. Jobder has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET Database
Written and maintained by the Jobder team. Last updated 2026-10-26. Questions or corrections: support@jobder.pro.
Frequently asked questions
What does a software developer do?
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.
How much does a software developer make?
The median annual wage for software developers in the United States was $135,980 in May 2025, or $65.38 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $82,460 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $214,670.
What education do you need to become a software developer?
In O*NET's survey of people in this occupation, the most common answer for required education was "Bachelor's Degree" (85% of respondents). O*NET classifies the occupation as "Considerable Preparation Needed".
Which state pays software developers the most?
California had the highest median annual wage for this occupation in May 2025, at $174,410, followed by Washington ($166,540) and New York ($166,180).
How many software developers are there in the U.S.?
BLS estimated 1,687,890 people were employed as software developers in May 2025. California employed the most, with 284,390.