What is a programmer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Frank McCown Ph.D.,
Kevin Treu Ph.D.
introduction image

A programmer creates and writes code for software programs, applications, and computer systems. They use programming languages to design, test, and maintain software. Programmers work with others in the tech industry to develop solutions to complex problems. They often collaborate with software engineers, developers, and designers. Programmers may specialize in areas such as web development, mobile app development, or game development. They work to stay up-to-date with new technology and constantly learn new programming techniques.

What general advice would you give to a Programmer?

F

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

The market is stable for software developers, despite the economic challenges created by the pandemic. Before accepting a job offer, talk to the company's employees through online meetings or email, and see what they think of the company. Do they enjoy their work? Are there opportunities to learn new technologies? How does the company treat their employees? There's a good chance you will be working remotely in your first job, so you will need to exercise a lot of self-discipline, be punctual for online meetings, do the work you've been assigned, and know when to ask questions when you get stuck. Expect a steeper-than-normal learning curve if you are working remotely instead of in an office.
ScoreProgrammerUS Average
Salary
5.7

Avg. Salary $73,007

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.1

Growth Rate -7%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.18%

Asian 17.75%

Black or African American 4.84%

Hispanic or Latino 8.54%

Unknown 4.65%

White 64.03%

Gender

female 25.59%

male 74.41%

Age - 48
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48
Stress Level
5.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.3

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.7

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Programmer?

Pros

  • High earning potential

  • High demand for skilled programmers

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies

  • Flexible work schedules

  • Possibility of working from home

Cons

  • Sedentary work can lead to health problems

  • High stress environment with tight deadlines and long hours at times

  • Sitting for long periods of time can lead to posture problems and back pain

  • Can be difficult to switch off from work as the job often involves mental strain

  • Can be a highly competitive field, leading to job insecurity or difficulty finding employment

Programmer career paths

Key steps to become a programmer

  1. Explore programmer education requirements

    Most common programmer degrees

    Bachelor's

    67.2 %

    Associate

    13.3 %

    Master's

    12.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific programmer skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Java8.61%
    JavaScript8.28%
    CSS6.06%
    Object Oriented Programming5.63%
    Python5.35%
  3. Complete relevant programmer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New programmers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a programmer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real programmer resumes.
  4. Gain additional programmer certifications

    Programmer certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific programmer certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for programmers include Programming in C# Certification and Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research programmer duties and responsibilities

    • Create windows form application to manage flight and passenger information.
    • Utilize Jenkins to automate the building and deploying of these software units.
    • Implement a centralize configuration system for managing application settings, consisting of a desktop application with a WCF backend.
    • Create and automate ETL package to import monthly utility data from several electric utilities using Perl, PHP, and PL/SQL.
  6. Prepare your programmer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your programmer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a programmer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Programmer Resume templates

    Build a professional Programmer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Programmer resume.
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  7. Apply for programmer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a programmer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Programmer Job

Zippi

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Average programmer salary

The average Programmer salary in the United States is $73,007 per year or $35 per hour. Programmer salaries range between $54,000 and $98,000 per year.

Average Programmer Salary
$73,007 Yearly
$35.10 hourly

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How do programmers rate their job?

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Programmer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

Problem solving and cutting edge technology - always learning and evolving my skill set

Cons

Still have to deal with people :)


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

I enjoyed working on creative problems that dealt with the user interface

Cons

I didn't like how technical it could become


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

Designing a new system or making changes to an old one.

Cons

Compensation. Pay and Benefits do not match the time spent on a project. Alabama is the Worst state to live in for SOFTWARE ENGINEER Salaries. 40 to 50 percent less than our peer States.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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