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Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Software Developers:
Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1,656,880 | 0.7 % | $ 66.40 | $ 138,110 | 0.4 % |
Percentile wage estimates for Software Developers:
Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hourly Wage | $ 37.03 | $ 48.65 | $ 63.59 | $ 80.55 | $ 100.30 |
Annual Wage (2) | $ 77,020 | $ 101,200 | $ 132,270 | $ 167,540 | $ 208,620 |
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for Software Developers are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in Software Developers, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in Software Developers:
Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 547,150 | 21.62 | $ 62.69 | $ 130,390 |
Software Publishers | 165,260 | 25.27 | $ 71.45 | $ 148,610 |
Management of Companies and Enterprises | 86,460 | 3.12 | $ 64.08 | $ 133,280 |
Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | 73,990 | 15.35 | $ 68.72 | $ 142,940 |
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 57,300 | 3.10 | $ 59.02 | $ 122,760 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in Software Developers:
Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Software Publishers | 165,260 | 25.27 | $ 71.45 | $ 148,610 |
Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services | 44,730 | 24.26 | $ 103.77 | $ 215,840 |
Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 547,150 | 21.62 | $ 62.69 | $ 130,390 |
Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 26,230 | 16.27 | $ 86.29 | $ 179,480 |
Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | 73,990 | 15.35 | $ 68.72 | $ 142,940 |
Top paying industries for Software Developers:
Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services | 44,730 | 24.26 | $ 103.77 | $ 215,840 |
Taxi and Limousine Service | 1,700 | 2.88 | $ 90.17 | $ 187,550 |
Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers | 26,220 | 11.25 | $ 86.81 | $ 180,570 |
Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 26,230 | 16.27 | $ 86.29 | $ 179,480 |
Gambling Industries | (8) | (8) | $ 83.89 | $ 174,480 |
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for Software Developers are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in Software Developers, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in Software Developers:
State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
California | 304,390 | 16.96 | 1.55 | $ 83.55 | $ 173,780 |
Texas | 138,510 | 10.22 | 0.94 | $ 60.52 | $ 125,890 |
New York | 105,460 | 11.23 | 1.03 | $ 72.12 | $ 150,020 |
Washington | 89,110 | 25.49 | 2.34 | $ 76.92 | $ 159,990 |
Virginia | 86,680 | 21.77 | 2.00 | $ 67.27 | $ 139,920 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Software Developers:
State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington | 89,110 | 25.49 | 2.34 | $ 76.92 | $ 159,990 |
Virginia | 86,680 | 21.77 | 2.00 | $ 67.27 | $ 139,920 |
California | 304,390 | 16.96 | 1.55 | $ 83.55 | $ 173,780 |
Massachusetts | 59,960 | 16.46 | 1.51 | $ 70.47 | $ 146,580 |
Colorado | 45,270 | 15.98 | 1.47 | $ 69.92 | $ 145,420 |
Top paying states for Software Developers:
State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
California | 304,390 | 16.96 | 1.55 | $ 83.55 | $ 173,780 |
Washington | 89,110 | 25.49 | 2.34 | $ 76.92 | $ 159,990 |
Maryland | 30,700 | 11.47 | 1.05 | $ 72.47 | $ 150,740 |
New York | 105,460 | 11.23 | 1.03 | $ 72.12 | $ 150,020 |
Massachusetts | 59,960 | 16.46 | 1.51 | $ 70.47 | $ 146,580 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in Software Developers:
Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 119,010 | 12.53 | 1.15 | $ 73.12 | $ 152,100 |
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 96,590 | 84.60 | 7.75 | $ 96.06 | $ 199,800 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 83,920 | 34.65 | 3.18 | $ 87.13 | $ 181,220 |
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 75,960 | 36.54 | 3.35 | $ 78.91 | $ 164,130 |
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 72,010 | 23.29 | 2.13 | $ 71.39 | $ 148,480 |
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 59,570 | 15.02 | 1.38 | $ 61.59 | $ 128,100 |
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 58,450 | 9.45 | 0.87 | $ 72.97 | $ 151,780 |
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 55,240 | 20.00 | 1.83 | $ 71.20 | $ 148,100 |
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 41,210 | 9.14 | 0.84 | $ 61.52 | $ 127,960 |
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 40,430 | 14.35 | 1.32 | $ 61.41 | $ 127,720 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Software Developers:
Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 96,590 | 84.60 | 7.75 | $ 96.06 | $ 199,800 |
Boulder, CO | 7,840 | 40.31 | 3.69 | $ 87.81 | $ 182,650 |
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 75,960 | 36.54 | 3.35 | $ 78.91 | $ 164,130 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 83,920 | 34.65 | 3.18 | $ 87.13 | $ 181,220 |
Huntsville, AL | 7,270 | 28.96 | 2.65 | $ 57.82 | $ 120,260 |
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 72,010 | 23.29 | 2.13 | $ 71.39 | $ 148,480 |
Raleigh, NC | 16,160 | 22.99 | 2.11 | $ 63.61 | $ 132,300 |
Provo-Orem, UT | 6,490 | 22.12 | 2.03 | $ 60.56 | $ 125,970 |
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 7,420 | 22.07 | 2.02 | $ 67.98 | $ 141,390 |
Austin-Round Rock, TX | 26,850 | 21.74 | 1.99 | $ 63.70 | $ 132,500 |