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.

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, AI Specialist (Artificial Intelligence Specialist), Application Analyst, Application Architect, Application Engineer, Application Integrator, Application Programmer, Application Software Engineering IT Specialist (Application Software Engineering Information Technology Specialist), Application Support Engineer, Application Systems Analyst, Application Systems Architect, Beta Tester, Business Application Developer, Certified Internetwork Expert, Commercial Drone Software Developer, Computer Application Developer, Computer Application Engineer, Computer Architect, Computer Consultant, Computer Engineer, Computer Programmer Analyst, Computer Software Engineer, Computer Systems Software Architect, Computer Systems Software Engineer, DevOps Architect (Development and Operations Architect), DevOps Developer (Development and Operations Developer), Drone Software Development Engineer, EDP System Engineer (Electronic Data Processing System Engineer), Embedded Engineer, Embedded Software Engineer, Embedded Systems Software Developer, Enterprise Systems Engineer, Extract Transform Load Developer, Full Stack Developer, Full Stack Engineer, Full Stack Software Engineer, Game Developer, Game Engineer, Graphic Engineer, Implementation Specialist, Information Architect, Interface Designer, Internet Application Developer, Internet Consultant, Knowledge Management Application Developer, Mainframe Systems Programmer, Mobile Application Developer, Mobile Device Developer, Operating System Designer (OS Designer), Operating System Specialist (OS Specialist), Publishing Systems Analyst, Secure Software Assessor, Server Engineer, Simulation Developer, Site Reliability Engineer, SOA Developer (Service Oriented Architecture Developer), Software Application Architect, Software Application Designer, Software Application Developer, Software Application Engineer, Software Application Specialist, Software Computer Specialist, Software Design Engineer, Software Designer, Software Engineering Systems IT Specialist (Software Engineering Systems Information Technology Specialist), Software Quality Engineer (SQE), Software Requirements Engineer (SRE), Software Systems Developer, Software Systems Engineer, Software Writer, Solution Architect, Solution Engineer, Solutions Architect, Systems Analyst Engineer, Systems Coordinator, Systems Integration Engineer, Systems Software Designer, Systems Software Engineer, Systems Software Specialist, Systems Support Engineer, UI Designer (User Interface Designer), Usability Engineer, Video Game Engineer, XML Developer (Extensible Markup Language Developer)

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Determine system performance standards.
Consult with customers or other departments on project status, proposals, or technical issues, such as software system design or maintenance.

Skills, machines and equipment

Programming
Critical Thinking
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Active Learning
Systems Analysis
Active Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Technology Design
Systems Evaluation
Writing
Operations Analysis

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (84.80% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

105,210–171,980 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 15-1252.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (84.80% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Software Developers