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Job outlook for directors of software development in the United States
Director of software development job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected director of software development job growth rate is 16% from 2018-2028.
About 82,400 new jobs for directors of software development are projected over the next decade.
Director of software development salaries have increased 11% for directors of software development in the last 5 years.
There are over 33,236 directors of software development currently employed in the United States.
There are 136,310 active director of software development job openings in the US.
The average director of software development salary is $158,853.
Are director of software development jobs in demand?
Director Of Software Development job and salary trends over time
Director Of Software Development jobs over time
Director Of Software Development job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33,236 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 34,700 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 33,170 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 27,857 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 26,056 | 0.01% |
Average director of software development salary over time
Director Of Software Development salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $158,853 | $76.37 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $153,818 | $73.95 | +2.7% |
| 2023 | $149,793 | $72.02 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $146,315 | $70.34 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | $142,720 | $68.62 | +3.2% |
Director Of Software Development jobs by state
Most common states for directors of software development
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 434 | 50% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 3,090 | 42% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 277 | 37% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 237 | 34% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 408 | 31% |
| 6 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 550 | 30% |
| 7 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,310 | 26% |
| 8 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 512 | 25% |
| 9 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,353 | 23% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 303 | 23% |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 868 | 22% |
| 12 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 966 | 20% |
| 13 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 952 | 20% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 207 | 20% |
| 15 | Alaska | 739,795 | 149 | 20% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,063 | 19% |
| 17 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 562 | 19% |
| 18 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 2,131 | 18% |
| 19 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,207 | 18% |
| 20 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,129 | 18% |
Most common cities for directors of software development
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 7 | 25% | $115,532 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 8 | 20% | $118,179 |
| 3 | Juneau | 6 | 18% | $172,128 |
| 4 | Bethesda | 10 | 16% | $117,885 |
| 5 | Lansing | 6 | 5% | $125,103 |
| 6 | Springfield | 6 | 5% | $125,286 |
| 7 | Tallahassee | 8 | 4% | $119,417 |
| 8 | Little Rock | 7 | 4% | $128,592 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 14 | 3% | $121,995 |
| 10 | Baton Rouge | 7 | 3% | $131,171 |
| 11 | Des Moines | 6 | 3% | $129,783 |
| 12 | Montgomery | 6 | 3% | $116,143 |
| 13 | Boston | 14 | 2% | $140,974 |
| 14 | Urban Honolulu | 6 | 2% | $178,869 |
| 15 | Indianapolis | 8 | 1% | $116,549 |
| 16 | Washington | 7 | 1% | $124,400 |
| 17 | Chicago | 12 | 0% | $127,791 |
| 18 | Phoenix | 8 | 0% | $162,836 |
Director Of Software Development job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of director of software development experts
Pennsylvania State University - Abington
University of Maryland - College Park
Chapman University
Clemson University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Eastern Washington University
What will help Directors Of Software Development increase their earning potential?
Yi Yang PhD: First of all, be really good at what you do. Always negotiate for a higher salary based on your qualifications and market value. Additionally, consider exploring opportunities in management and actively contribute to strategic decision-making. Taking calculated risks, such as joining a startup, can also lead to valuable experiences and skill development that can enhance your earning potential in the long run.
What Director Of Software Development skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Yi Yang PhD: In the next 3-5 years, I believe management skills will become increasingly important. Engineers who can bridge the gap between technical complexity and business strategy, driving innovation and growth in their organizations will be very valuable.
Donald Yeung
Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Education, Affiliate Professor, Computer Science DepartmentUniversity of Maryland - College Park
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
What hard/technical skills are most important for Directors Of Software Development?
Donald Yeung: In terms of hard technical skills, I believe the courses students take along with their GPA in these courses is one level of demonstration. (As I mentioned above, employers know about our program probably down to specific courses, and so if someone gets an A+ in some notoriously challenging course, that's probably known and appreciated). Some employers will give technical interviews and require students to solve problems on their feet. But I think most employers will judge this based on a student's transcript.
What skills stand out on Director Of Software Development resumes?
Donald Yeung: A degree at a highly rated engineering school is always a plus. For example, the ECE dept at UMD has a good reputation among local employers as well as employers elsewhere, such as Silicon Valley. Many of our students go to companies in these areas, and so we have a reputation based on the quality of students that go out. I think employers know what they're getting. Beyond the school from which you receive your degree, your GPA is also important. How well you do in the program you come from is important, too, obviously. And employers also know about grade inflation or deflation at different schools, so they can calibrate any student's GPA against what experience they've had with previous students' records. Besides that, employers also look for experience outside of the degree program, so internships, research experiences, any significant project experience, etc., are also a real plus.
What soft skills should all Directors Of Software Development possess?
Tom Springer Ph.D.: -Good communication skills
-Ability to exercise critical thinking and innovative problem solving
-Able to work under supervision and mentoring
-Works well in a team-oriented environment
Dr. John Ballato
J. E. Sirrine Endowed Chair and ProfessorClemson University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
What skills will help Directors Of Software Development earn the most?
Dr. John Ballato: Here, too, the answer depends on the field, job position (and location), and organization. MSE graduates generally are well compensated compared to other engineering fields. The most important thing is that you wake up every morning and are excited about the work you're doing. There's no substitute for enjoying your work, regardless of how much you are paid.
Janos Fustos Ph.D.
ProfessorMetropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics
What's a good job out of college for Directors Of Software Development?
Janos Fustos Ph.D.: I hope students are asking that question before they enroll in the first course at a college because otherwise, they would waste lot of time and money to work on a degree or a career path that does not fulfill their goals and personal interest. In that sense any job is a good job that somebody understands, feels that he/she is a good fit and can live up to the imposed challenges, and has the knowledge/skills to work in the field. There are interesting and self-fulfilling jobs to choose from. Certainly, it starts with the definition what a "good" means to an individual, what are the attributes of that definition: is that the professional area, is the salary, is it the challenging nature, is it more about the working environment and the people they can work with, is it the promotion options, the high impact etc. There are several lists available on the internet that provide recommendations and track the different aspects of job selection options for seekers.
Christian Hansen Ph.D.
Professor and Department ChairEastern Washington University
Department of Mathematics
What's a day at work look like for a Director Of Software Development?
Christian Hansen Ph.D.: In the post-pandemic era, a typical workday for a recent graduate will likely involve some form of remote work. I predict that many businesses will benefit from the reduced cost of remote infrastructure compared to the cost of maintaining brick and mortar office space. Many new graduates will continue to spend their day on a computer while collaborating in teams via Zoom and other teleconference tools. People working in disciplines that have traditionally been "on the ground" will move towards more hybrid modes of work, reducing the need for travel and participating in face-to-face meetings and training.