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Job outlook for application programmer analysts in the United States
Application programmer analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected application programmer analyst job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 56,000 new jobs for application programmer analysts are projected over the next decade.
Application programmer analyst salaries have increased 8% for application programmer analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 136,842 application programmer analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 87,881 active application programmer analyst job openings in the US.
The average application programmer analyst salary is $82,341.
Are application programmer analyst jobs in demand?
Application programmer analyst job and salary trends over time
Application programmer analyst jobs over time
Application programmer analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 136,842 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 175,319 | 0.05% |
| 2019 | 130,541 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 247,837 | 0.07% |
| 2017 | 253,059 | 0.08% |
Average application programmer analyst salary over time
Application programmer analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $82,341 | $39.59 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $79,628 | $38.28 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $77,825 | $37.42 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $77,413 | $37.22 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | $76,492 | $36.77 | +1.7% |
Application programmer analyst jobs by state
Most common states for application programmer analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 765 | 110% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 389 | 40% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 231 | 37% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,931 | 35% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,910 | 32% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 315 | 30% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,925 | 28% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,134 | 27% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 838 | 27% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,400 | 25% |
| 11 | Alaska | 739,795 | 188 | 25% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 141 | 24% |
| 13 | California | 39,536,653 | 8,617 | 22% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 783 | 22% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 292 | 22% |
| 16 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,568 | 21% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,144 | 21% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 404 | 21% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 156 | 21% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,811 | 20% |
Most common cities for application programmer analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monterey | 2 | 7% | $110,012 |
| 2 | Bowling Green | 1 | 2% | $75,097 |
| 3 | Littleton | 1 | 2% | $73,809 |
| 4 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $66,436 |
| 5 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $73,746 |
| 6 | Lubbock | 1 | 0% | $76,662 |
Application Programmer Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of application programmer analyst experts
Brandeis University
Mount Saint Mary's University
Carthage College
Des Moines
The University of the South
Indiana University Bloomington
Kennesaw State University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Nova Southeastern University
Ashford University
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
University of Hawaii at Hilo
University of North Alabama
King University
Gannon University
What Application Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Swagata Banerjee PhD: Digital literacy: As technology continues to evolve, proficiency in digital tools and platforms will become increasingly essential. Adaptability: The ability to quickly learn new skills and adapt to changing circumstances will be crucial in a rapidly evolving industry landscape. Data literacy: Understanding and analyzing data will become more important for making informed decisions and optimizing strategies. Interdisciplinary skills: The ability to work across different disciplines and collaborate effectively with diverse teams will be highly valued. Emotional intelligence: Soft skills such as empathy, communication, and teamwork will continue to be in demand as workplaces become more interconnected and dynamic.
What Application Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Adam Roth: I recommend that students start by identifying a specific skill in demand within your field, such as data analysis or social media marketing, and focus on developing expertise in that area. Research salary ranges and living costs in particular areas where you’re interested in working to ensure your compensation aligns with the local market. Always negotiate a salary and consider other aspects of the offer, such as funds for continuing education, technology and more. Continuing to network and establish demand for your services is essential; attend industry events, join professional associations, and engage with professionals in your field. Never miss an opportunity to reach out to and check in with your professional contacts. Pursue additional learning opportunities and education, such as certifications or advanced degrees, to provide a competitive advantage and increase your earning potential over time.
What will help Application Programmer Analysts increase their earning potential?
Bradley Andrew Ph.D.: Once you have your first job, ask about or determine the 20% of your supervisor’s job that they hate and start doing that for them. They will love you for it and it will quickly get you recognition. You’ll also be well on your way to learning your boss’s job. Continue doing this as you progress in your career (Kudos to Theo Epstein, former GM for the Red Sox, for this recommendation)
No matter the task you’re given, do it to the absolute best of your abilities. In the professional world, you may often be given menial tasks or tasks that you don’t believe are part of your job description. Doing those tasks to the absolute best of your ability leads to increased trust, recognition and responsibility and will put you “above class.” If asked, the coffee you bring should be the best your boss has ever had. You never know who’s watching.
Don’t expect credit and don’t ask for credit when things go right; give the credit to others.
What Application Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sarah Lupis: -Picking up new technology quickly. Companies have their own programs and softwares, so being able to learn quickly will allow you to hit the ground running. More broadly, a flexibility to learn new work cultures, cultivate social relationships, and pick up on new skill sets. In my opinion, this is something that Gen Z excels at
Dr. Michelle Holloway
Professor and Doheny Program DirectorMount Saint Mary's University
International Business
What general advice would you give to an Application Programmer Analyst?
Dr. Michelle Holloway: Get the highest salary you can for your first job out. Research the going pay rates for people with your education and experience in the local area. Learn negotiation skills to get the pay and benefits package you want. If you are graduating in the spring, be sure to work with your university’s career office to strategize your approach. If you have more coursework, be sure to take advantage of internships, externships, and practica to gain more experience.
What Application Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Prof. Kim Jovanovich P.E.: Attached please see the responses to your interview questions. I hope this sheds some light on the questions you asked!
What Application Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mr. Joseph Tenuta MBA: Any major can benefit from the ability to analyze, read, and interpret data. From a software standpoint, learn Excel. For everyone, learn how to write a business email and email etiquette. It also pays to be attentive, be on time, and respectful. It helps to be a nice person too.
What will help Application Programmer Analysts increase their earning potential?
Joseph Taylor: The role of a Business Analyst can vary greatly from company to company, and even from department to department, so it is very important to look at the details of a particular position that you are applying for. One common factor from all Business Analyst is that they are generally expected to make sense of data, and to be effective communicators that can apply insights to real-world problems.
What Application Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
W Eric Lee: Be willing to work hard and learn fast. Be humble and develop great relationships with everyone - colleagues and clients.
What general advice would you give to an Application Programmer Analyst?
Christopher Wayne FACHE, MBA, MS: While both healthcare administrative and medical roles are projected to grow I think the top new grads will have a minor in areas such as finance, information technology, marketing and many others. However, subject matter expertise is just the price of admission, so be sure to take full advantage of your degree program and ongoing education to appreciate the importance of learning so many other skills likely available to you such as sales and marketing, how to build consensus/facilitate, problem solve, writing and public speaking. These will be the skills that can lead to leadership opportunities if that’s something of interest.
What general advice would you give to an Application Programmer Analyst?
Nik Nikolov: An international business analyst is crucial in helping organizations expand and operate efficiently in the global market. Their job involves a variety of tasks, such as: Market Research and Analysis, Strategic Planning, Data Collection and Interpretation, Business Process Improvement, Financial Analysis, Compliance and Risk Management, Communication and Collaboration, Reporting and Documentation, Project Management, Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptability.
Dr. Al Duncan
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Classics And Classical Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to an Application Programmer Analyst?
Dr. Al Duncan: Since their intellectual field is so intellectually diverse, Classics majors find themselves prepared for a variety of occupations.
Those who have spent time digging in archaeological sites across the Mediterranean are conversant in local languages and cultures with a deep sense of the history of the place. Some might further their studies in Classical Archaeology PhD, or continue to work and live abroad. Others might stay closer to home, working on projects involving GIS (geographic information system) or the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage.
What will help Application Programmer Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Frank Mitropoulos Ph.D.: As we look toward the future of careers in Computer Applications, several skills stand out for their growing importance. These skills revolve around specific technologies that are expected to continue to grow and evolve. Technologies related to Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, and Data Science are quickly evolving and being applied across the technology sector. Cloud Computing: Given the widespread adoption of Cloud services, Cloud computing expertise is indispensable. Understanding how to leverage platforms like Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud is crucial to developing scalable, efficient solutions that meet business needs. Artificial Intelligence: AI and Machine Learning are transforming the world. Skills in these areas to solve real-world problems will be even more critical in the future. Cybersecurity: Digital threats are becoming more sophisticated. Safeguarding data, networks, and systems will require encryption, intrusion detection, development, and regulation skills. Data Science: Skills in Data Science will be increasingly sought after as businesses embrace data-driven decision-making. Extracting meaningful insights from extensive datasets and effectively communicating these findings will be essential. Soft skills: Finally, soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication cannot be overlooked. Adapting, communicating, and leading will be essential for success.
What will help Application Programmer Analysts increase their earning potential?
Anil Agarwal: Some skills will always be in Demand - such as Interpersonal communications , Project Management , Learning different languages and having great listening skills. What new skills will be in demand : Social media, content and Digital marketing. Data Analytics and or Business Analytics. Cross cultural management , Leadership Skills. Financial Management . Getting an MBA, MFS ( Masters of Finance ) , MSM ( Masters in Analytical Marketing ) or a Masters in Economics or an MHA ( Masters in Health Sciences. The fields of Bio Technology are also exploding if that is your bent of mind.
Travis Stouffer
Assistant Professor of Information Systems, ChairUniversity of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Department of Information Systems
What general advice would you give to an Application Programmer Analyst?
Travis Stouffer: Operate with a high-level of attention to detail. Superiors always appreciate a new or old employee who is self-sufficient and doesn’t need their hand to be held. Secondly, do everything you can to support the development process. You want to be seen a key cog in the development process, even if you are not writing code. You want to be the person with answers. Research APIs to use as datasources, write detailed requirements, support those requirements with detailed wireframes and mockups which blueprint the end-state of the application, test coded features and lastly just volunteer to do anything that will lighten the burden on the programmers of the team. Doing these things will also position you with a well-rounded experience that will help you ascend to project management type roles.
What Application Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Travis Stouffer: Agile Project Management and Rapid Prototyping will continue to be critical in reducing the amount of rework that development teams face. If either of these two aren’t done well, software projects will continue to experience high levels of failure. Even if developers are leveraging artificial intelligence to write code more efficiently, business analysts acting as liaisons will still need to utilize practices to ensure AI tools are helping to construct applications that align with the goals and objectives of its users.
Travis Mandel Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Hawaii at Hilo
Department of Computer Science
What soft skills should all Application Programmer Analysts possess?
Travis Mandel Ph.D.: Although computer science seems like a highly technical field, soft skills are really what differentiates software engineers. One of the most important qualities of any software engineer is explaining their code clearly at various levels of technical depth and explaining why certain design decisions were made. You could write code that does amazing things, but if that code consists of snippets you pasted from StackOverflow without really fully understanding them, it will be a huge headache for anyone who needs to come into the codebase later and maintain or update it.
Another one is asking the right questions. Imagine you are dropped into a huge codebase and asked to add a new feature (very common!). There's no time to understand everything that is going on, but on the other hand, you need to understand enough of the code to do your task effectively, which involves asking questions. A failure to ask questions will likely result in you wasting a huge amount of time working on something that is ultimately not useful, for instance, re-implementing a complex function that already exists somewhere in the codebase.
Jason Imbrogno Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of North Alabama
Department of Finance, Economics, and Data Analytics
What soft skills should all Application Programmer Analysts possess?
Jason Imbrogno Ph.D.: Communication for sure, especially knowing how to write and present well.
Jason Caudill Ph.D.
Professor of BusinessKing University
Management Information Systems
What hard/technical skills are most important for Application Programmer Analysts?
Jason Caudill Ph.D.: The number one technical skill for today's professionals is the ability to learn new systems. Regardless of expertise in a particular platform, there are going to be updates and changes, and different companies will likely be on different major platforms to perform the same functions. A strong foundation of technical skills in communications software, spreadsheets, and cloud applications will give someone the foundation they need to function in most modern workplaces, but the real skill is being able to translate that understanding of the architecture to multiple platforms so they can manage change.
What skills will help Application Programmer Analysts earn the most?
Jason Caudill Ph.D.: I think the two most profitable skills will be communication and adaptability. Almost nothing happens in a vacuum, so to be successful, today's professionals have to be able to effectively collaborate with others in various departments and in other organizations. That can only happen with effective communication skills. Coupled with that is the fact that dynamic markets, shorter product lifespans, and longer careers are demanding that people change their skill sets and adapt to different markets more than they ever have before. The professional who can continuously adapt to the demands of the market, who is willing to add new skills over time as a lifelong learner, will be the most prepared to offer continued value to a company, which will result in higher earnings.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Application Programmer Analysts to find work opportunities?
Dr. Stephen Frezza Ph.D.: Computing is ubiquitous, and with more industries moving to remote work, location is becoming less critical. If the internet reaches a place reliably, computing jobs can be located there.
How do you envision technology impacting Application Programmer Analysts in the next 5 years?
Dr. Stephen Frezza Ph.D.: Breadth and depth: Computing is becoming more like engineering; where the value of the product, its lifetime risks, costs, and benefits are more critical than just it's roll-out. So the engineering competencies that have always been a part of computing will become more central. Computing is also expanding; the role of data and the shift of once-research technologies (like machine learning) into production applications will continue to require computing graduates to broaden their base and continue as learners. This will cause shifts in what is considered 'fundamental' and the need for professionals to continue to hone and redevelop their technical skill sets.