Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670

Median Annual Pay

Jobs growth:

-6% projected 2024–2034

Bachelor's degree

Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Computer programmers spend their days writing, testing, and maintaining the code that makes software applications work. They transform designs and specifications from software developers into functional programs by writing lines of code in languages like Python, Java, C++, or JavaScript. Their work involves debugging existing programs to fix errors, updating software to work with new operating systems or hardware, and writing documentation so others can understand how the code functions.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Computer Science(masters)Stanford University, CA

Computer Science(bachelors)California Institute of Technology, CA

Computer Science(bachelors)Carnegie Mellon University, PA

Management Information Systems and Services(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY

Computer Science(masters)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY

Computer Science(masters)Washington State University, WA

Computer Science(masters)City University of Seattle, WA

Computer Science(masters)University of Washington-Bothell Campus, WA

Computer Science(masters)Saint Martin's University, WA

Computer Science(masters)Central Washington University, WA

Computer Science(masters)University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, WA

Computer Science(masters)University of Washington-Seattle Campus, WA

Computer Science(bachelors)Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA

Computer Science(masters)Cornell University, NY

Computer Science(bachelors)Cornell University, NY

Computer Science(bachelors)Harvard University, MA

Computer Science(bachelors)Brown University, RI

Computer Science(bachelors)University of California-Berkeley, CA

Computer Science(masters)University of California-Irvine, CA

Computer Science(masters)University of California-San Diego, CA

Computer Science(masters)University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL

Computer Science(bachelors)Princeton University, NJ

Computer Science(masters)Boston University, MA

Computer Science(bachelors)Pomona College, CA

Computer Science(masters)California Institute of Technology, CA

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