What does a computational linguist do?
A computational linguist is a computer expert who specializes in language and artificial intelligence programs. Their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis, identifying the company's needs, developing language programs, studying client feedback, establishing test structures, and performing regular maintenance checks to ensure quality and efficiency. They typically manage teams throughout the design and development procedures, providing consultations and guidelines. Furthermore, as a computational linguist, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members for a smooth workflow.
Computational linguist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real computational linguist resumes:
- Design object-oriented, pattern-driven Java tools to flexibly manage scientific data archive to an SQL database.
- Guarantee inventory and custody of equipment supporting real-world combat operations.
- Train to navigate numerous NSA databases to correlate information and produce detail reports.
- Educate staff on discrimination polices and mandate training to enhance operating effectiveness within combat situations.
- Perform phylogenetic analysis (hierarchical clustering) using genomic DNA to discern speciation events among cattle ticks from different regions.
- Extract essential elements of information from intercept communications, including location and emitter type, to support SIGINT tasking and coordination.
- Extract essential elements of information from intercept communications, including location and emitter type, to support SIGINT tasking and coordination.
Computational linguist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Computational Linguists are proficient in Python, NLP, and Java. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Analytical skills, and Business skills.
We break down the percentage of Computational Linguists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 23%
Programmed a basic software in Python language that parse a limited sample of tweets and categorize them under different topics.
- NLP, 20%
Managed and designed evaluations for various NLP software applications for Machine Translation, Machine Learning and Automated Language Tutoring programs.
- Java, 12%
Designed object-oriented, pattern-driven Java tools to flexibly manage scientific data archived to an SQL database.
- Extraction, 11%
Worked as a computational linguist on ISC's natural language processing team, contributing to information extraction (IE) efforts.
- Perl, 7%
Developed public web pages using HTML and Perl.
- Data Analysis, 5%
Developed a new data analysis technique which added a new dimension to data interpretation.
Most computational linguists use their skills in "python," "nlp," and "java" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential computational linguist responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a computational linguist to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what computational linguists do because "computer programmers must closely examine the code they write because a small mistake can affect the entire computer program." Additionally, a computational linguist resume shows how computational linguists use detail oriented: "composed detailed reports vital to national security for deposit into international databases. "
Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform computational linguist duties is analytical skills. Computational linguists responsibilities require that "computer programmers must understand complex instructions in order to create computer code." Computational linguists also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "saved google millions of dollars annually by designing and launching internal google data labeling tool feature changes using python and html/css. "
The three companies that hire the most computational linguists are:
Compare different computational linguists
Computational linguist vs. Software programmer
A software programmer is an information technology expert who specializes in programming software and generating codes, ensuring quality and efficiency. In a company setting, they typically perform research and analysis to understand and identify the projects' needs, develop and implement test structures, troubleshoot and resolve issues, write technical instructions, and provide technical support to staff as needed. Most of the time, a software programmer works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth workflow.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between computational linguists and software programmer. For instance, computational linguist responsibilities require skills such as "nlp," "extraction," "data analysis," and "text mining." Whereas a software programmer is skilled in "javascript," "software development," "html," and "sql server." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Software programmers earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $74,047. On the other hand, computational linguists are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $86,618.On average, software programmers reach lower levels of education than computational linguists. Software programmers are 18.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 8.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Computational linguist vs. Systems programmer
A systems programmer is responsible for managing and installing software systems and applications to the company's computer networks to support the efficiency of business functions and operations. Systems programmers coordinate with the systems analyst to conduct quality checks and running configuration tests to ensure the stability of applications and avoid downtimes. They also create resolution reports, design servers, and upgrade network infrastructure as often as needed. A systems programmer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially the expert command of programming languages and codes.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that computational linguist responsibilities requires skills like "python," "nlp," "extraction," and "data analysis." But a systems programmer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "provide technical assistance," "video conferencing," "c++," and "c #."
Systems programmers may earn a higher salary than computational linguists, but systems programmers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $101,004. On the other hand, computational linguists receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $86,618.systems programmers earn lower levels of education than computational linguists in general. They're 28.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 8.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Computational linguist vs. Sap/abap developer
An SAP/ABAP developer is responsible for designing and creating software programs and applications through the SAP and ABAP programming codes. They conduct multiple diagnostic tests for newly-created and existing applications to ensure adherence to quality standards and requirements. They also provide technical resolution to end-users for their system issues and upgrade infrastructure to prevent the reoccurrence of downtimes and system failures. An SAP/ABAP developer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in evaluating features for smooth navigation and operations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a computational linguist is likely to be skilled in "python," "nlp," "perl," and "data analysis," while a typical sap/abap developer is skilled in "sap abap," "sap hana," "pi," and "mm."
Sap/abap developers earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $110,167. Comparatively, computational linguists have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $86,618.Most sap/abap developers achieve a lower degree level compared to computational linguists. For example, they're 17.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 8.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Computational linguist vs. Lead programmer
Types of computational linguist
Updated January 8, 2025
