- In 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 68 percent of computer programmers had a bachelor's degree or higher in either computer science, information systems or computer programming. Computer programmers with a bachelor's degree and experience in a wide variety of programming languages and tools are hired sooner than those with a two-year degree or certificate. Skilled programmers have a better chance for advancement to lead programmer, systems programmer, programmer-analyst, systems analyst, manager or computer software engineer.
- Computer programmers must posses skills including critical thinking, active listening, patience, creativity, technical analysis, complex problem solving, paying close attention to detail, thinking logically, be able to consult and work well with others, and communicate with nontechnical personnel. Abilities computer programmers must posses include information ordering, deductive and inductive reasoning, oral and written comprehension, interacting with computers, processing and organizing information, and problem sensitivity.
- Computer programmers are employed in almost every industry, with the largest being the field of computer systems design and related services, followed by software publishers, management of companies and enterprises, employment services, and insurance carriers. The state with the highest employment is New York, followed by New Jersey, Utah, the District of Columbia and Delaware. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were 394,230 computer programmers in May 2008. In 2006, roughly 17,000 programmers were self-employed and worked on a temporary or contract basis.
- In May 2008, the median hourly wage for computer programmers was $33.47, and the median annual wage was $69,620. The highest 10 percent earned $111,450 annually, and the lowest 10 percent earned $40,080. The top-paying industry was computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing, with an hourly mean wage of $49.37 and an employment of 3,020 workers. Financial investment was the second-highest paying industry, with an hourly mean wage of $41.82 and an employment of 2,000 workers. The top-paying state for computer programmers in May 2008 was Washington, with an employment of 10,640 and an hourly mean wage of $41.25, followed by New Mexico, Connecticut, California and Massachusetts.
- The U.S. Department of Labor predicted a 4 percent decrease of employment in computer programming from 2006 through 2016. This decrease is because of factors involving change in technology, such as systems and applications becoming consolidated and centralized, increased use of packaged software, programming languages and tools becoming more advanced, and users being able to perform more programming functions on their own. Offshore outsourcing is another factor because of lower wages and programming languages becoming more internationally recognized. Despite these factors, computer programmers will always be in demand, especially for new technology and businesses. Such fields include wireless applications, multimedia technology, cyber security and computer consultation, which is projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries in the economy.
