Computer Programmer

Career Overview

A computer programmer writes the codes (instructions) that allow computer systems and software to function efficiently.

Education

A four-year bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field may be required in order to obtain this position. A higher degree (master's or doctorate) in a related field, which may take an additional two-five years to earn, would be more valuable.

Future Outlook

Employment of computer programmers is projected to decline 9 percent from 2019 to 2029. Computer programming can be done from anywhere in the world, so companies sometimes hire programmers in countries where wages are lower. This ongoing trend is projected to limit employment growth for computer programmers in the United States.

Work Environment

Computer programmers typically work for organizations involved in computer system design, software, finance, insurance, or manufacturing.

Recommended High School Courses

Electronics
Computer Science
Communication

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Modify software programs to improve performance.
Write computer programming code.
Test software performance.
Resolve computer software problems.
Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
Develop diagrams or flow charts of system operation.
Develop models of information or communications systems.
Document design or development procedures.
Train others in computer interface or software use.
Test computer system operations to ensure proper functioning.
Prepare instruction manuals.
Assign duties or work schedules to employees.
Manage information technology projects or system activities.
Supervise information technology personnel.
Design websites or web applications.
Develop computer or online applications.
Teach others to use computer equipment or hardware.
Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.

Schools

Albion College

Albright College

Alfred State College

Allegheny College

Alvernia University

American University

Amherst College

Angelo State University

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Arcadia University

Arizona State University

Arkansas Tech University

Assumption College

Auburn University

Augustana University

Austin College

Baker College Online

Bard College

Barnard College

Baylor University

Bellevue University

Belmont University

Beloit College

Bemidji State University

Bethel University

Bethel University (indian...

Biola University

Birmingham Southern Colle...

Bismarck State College

Bluefield State College-...

Bob Jones University

Boise State University

Boston College

Boston University

Bowdoin College

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Bradley University

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Brown University

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Butler University

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Charleston Southern Unive...

Chippewa Valley Technical...

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Full Sail University

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Gettysburg College

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Hendrix College

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Saint Joseph's University

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Sarah Lawrence College

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Smith College

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Southwestern Oklahoma Sta...

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Algoma University- Bra...

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Athabasca University

Bishop's University

Bow Valley College- Do...

Canadore College- Comm...

Cdi College- Anjou Cam...

Cdi College- Edmonton...

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Confederation College

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George Brown College-...

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Humber College- North...

Ibt College

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Lasalle College

Memorial University

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Wilfred Laurier Univer...

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Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

Approx Salary Expectation

Currency:

Low End:

$50,150.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$86,550.00 /yr

High End:

$140,250.00 /yr

Related Careers

Computer Systems Analyst

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References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.