What are the pros and cons of being a computer programmer?

The pros and cons of being a computer programmer relate to job satisfaction rates, good compensation, and a fast-paced working environment. Here are the top pros and cons of being a computer programmer:

Pros:

• Job satisfaction rates

Computer programmers overall have a great level of job satisfaction. Many find this area of work to be very rewarding. Computer programmers develop, design, test, and implement software and computer applications. This line of work can be exciting, interesting, and challenging, and also provide opportunities for career advancement.

• Good compensation

Computer programmers tend to make good salaries. The average salary of a computer programmer in the United States is $56,587 per year. However, many computer programmers can far exceed this salary when they advance in their field to more superior roles. Programmers often also work for companies that provide comprehensive employee benefits.

• Remote working opportunities

A computer programmer's job can be done remotely a lot of the time. This is why many computer programmers either work from home or do a hybrid work schedule of half the week in the office and the other half at home. This also means that when you become a computer programmer you don't have to be tied to your location in terms of where you can find work.

• Freelance opportunities

If you become a computer programmer you might also be able to find freelance work opportunities, which come with their own sets of benefits and disadvantages. Freelance computer programmers can set their own work schedules to a great degree. They also can be relatively selective about the projects they choose to work on.

Cons:

• Fast-paced working environment

Computer programmers tend to work in fast-paced technical environments. This can be stressful and overwhelming at times. You have to always be ready to adapt and evolve with the changes that happen in this field. The ever-changing nature of this profession can sometimes adversely affect a programmer's morale, and make it challenging to specialize.

• Long hours in front of a computer

A major drawback of the job is that you must spend long hours in front of a computer. This can be bad for your vision, and also your overall physical condition since computer programmers don't move around much for work. Those who enter this field should seek to establish healthy eating and exercise routines to combat any potential health issues.

Computer programmers code software and applications regularly. This type of work can become repetitive to a certain degree. At worst, some may experience boredom or become burnt out from having to do the same tasks daily. Computer programmers should always look to challenge themselves to keep their job fresh and interesting.

• Competition

The tech industry, and tech positions in general, have become quite saturated in recent years. There has been a high influx of programmers and developers, which sometimes makes it hard to secure a steady job.