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Software developer: the path

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. Description from O*NET

Also called: Application Developer, Application Integration Engineer, Developer, DevOps Engineer (Development Operations Engineer), Infrastructure Engineer

Typical pay$135,980Median yearly pay, BLS 2025
Job outlook+10.2% jobsProjected change, 2025–35. All jobs: +3.5%.
Time after high schoolAbout 4 yearsTypical full-time study and training
  1. Step 1Bachelor’s in computer science or a related field4 years
  2. Step 2Internships during collegeOften summers in years 2 and 3
  3. Step 3Entry-level job

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree · More on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

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Colleges for this path

Related majors: Computer and Information Sciences, General · Computer Programming · Information Science/Studies · Computer Science · Computer Software and Media Applications · Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications · Computer Engineering · Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians · Mathematics and Computer Science · Accounting and Computer Science · Economics and Computer Science · Linguistics and Computer Science · Data Science

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College Scorecard, 2024 data. Earnings are the median for graduates of the related majors, 4 years after graduating. All figures are estimates.

Best value = earnings ÷ (net price × years of study). Net prices under $1,000 count as $1,000.

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