Also called: Coder, Application Programmer
Writes and tests code from specifications that others (often software developers) have designed.
You get a detailed spec, write the code, test it, and fix errors. Many programmers maintain older business systems in banks, insurers, and government agencies.
May 2024 BLS median $98,670.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in CS is common; some employers accept an associate degree or certificates.
Ways in: 4-year college, 2-year college, Certification, Self-taught. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Programming (associate).
Shrinking (about -7% over 10 years). BLS projects a 7% decline (2025-35) as AI and offshoring take over spec-to-code work.
High risk for 10 years. Turning written specs into code is exactly what AI coding tools do best; openings for pure coders are shrinking fast.
Classes: AP Computer Science A, Algebra II, Computer applications.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1251.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.