How to become software developerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States IT & Software Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$135,980

25th–75th pct. $105,210–$171,980

Top pay (est.)

$279,100

Top 10% $214,670

Pay in 5 years

$154,100est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$174,600est.

$150,100–$202,700

Outlook score

59/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

76%

High

Job growth (10 yr)

+10.2%

95K openings / yr

How to become software developers

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Software Developers

Key skills

Reading Comprehension

4.2

Systems Evaluation

4.1

Critical Thinking

4.1

Systems Analysis

3.9

Active Listening

3.9

Judgment and Decision Making

3.8

Technology Design

3.6

Writing

3.6

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Computers and Electronics

6.2

Mathematics

4.5

Customer and Personal Service

4.1

Education and Training

3.7

English Language

3.6

Engineering and Technology

3.2

Design

3.1

Telecommunications

2.9

What the work involves

Thinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsProcessing InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkWorking with ComputersAnalyzing Data or InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Important abilities

Written ComprehensionOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInductive Reasoning

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree

85%

Associate's degree

Master's degree

High school diploma

Post-secondary certificate

Training before entry

None / short demo

43%

2–4 years

15%

Up to 1 month

13%

6–12 months

10%

1–2 years

10%

1–3 months

4–10 years

Related work experience

6–8 years

44%

4–6 years

15%

1–2 years

11%

Over 10 years

11%

8–10 years

2–4 years

None

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as software developers

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Computer User Support Specialists Provide technical assistance to computer users.	$61,860	31/100	69%
2	Computer Systems Analysts Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns.	$105,850	56/100	76%
3	Computer Occupations, All Other All computer occupations not listed separately.	$116,580	56/100	55%
4	Network and Computer Systems Administrators Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers.	$99,130	31/100	79%
5	Information Security Analysts Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information.	$129,180	63/100	77%
6	Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes.	$104,300	49/100	81%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.