How to hire a computer programmer

How to hire a computer programmer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step computer programmer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a computer programmer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new computer programmer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a computer programmer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your computer programmer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a computer programmer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect computer programmer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of computer programmer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Computer Programmer	Description	Hourly rate
   Computer Programmer	Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow.	$26-43
   Development Team Member	A development team member performs various support tasks to help complete projects according to client specifications and requirements. In the information technology industry, a development team member writes codes, creates programs, implements test systems, troubleshoots issues, performs repairs and upgrades, maintains records, and presents reports to managers... Show more	$8-18
   Software Consultant	A software consultant is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the technological content and system applications of an organization, ensuring its efficiency and optimal performance. Software consultants design software systems, following clients' specifications and business needs... Show more	$32-55

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • C #
   • Java
   • JavaScript
   • Object Oriented Programming
   • CSS
   • Python
   • SQL Server
   • C
   • C++
   • Software Development
   • C Net
   • Database Applications
   • Computer Programs
   • PHP

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the entire corporate intranet and the plethora of applications and web pages that are require for daily activities.
   • Utilize proprietary software to create custom web pages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
   • Assist with various Java web application development projects.
   • Can do C++ and a little Linux.
   • Enhance website at http: //www.aaisolutions.com, using HTML, CSS, ColdFusion, and T-SQL.
   • Develop a data transfer component extracting XML used as a data source for Internet reports create in HTML.

   More computer programmer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your computer programmer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A computer programmer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, computer programmers' average salary in new mexico is 34% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level computer programmers 39% less than senior-level computer programmers.
   • Certifications. A computer programmer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a computer programmer's salary.

   Average computer programmer salary

   $70,979yearly

   $34.12 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level computer programmer salary

   $55,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average computer programmer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$84,011	$40
   2	District of Columbia	$77,532	$37
   3	Illinois	$74,119	$36
   4	Connecticut	$73,826	$35
   5	North Carolina	$73,542	$35
   6	Pennsylvania	$72,855	$35
   7	Georgia	$72,301	$35
   8	Massachusetts	$72,273	$35
   9	New York	$72,054	$35
   10	Minnesota	$71,957	$35
   11	Virginia	$71,728	$34
   12	Arizona	$71,440	$34
   13	Mississippi	$70,178	$34
   14	Indiana	$69,768	$34
   15	Texas	$69,081	$33
   16	Ohio	$68,710	$33
   17	Delaware	$68,580	$33
   18	Missouri	$68,402	$33
   19	Michigan	$67,775	$33
   20	New Jersey	$66,414	$32

   Average computer programmer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Google	$121,217	$58.28	388
   2	NVIDIA	$115,810	$55.68	24
   3	Microsoft	$109,687	$52.73	510
   4	Chegg	$109,501	$52.64
   5	Genentech	$108,132	$51.99	10
   6	Cadence Design Systems	$106,392	$51.15	19
   7	Apple	$106,346	$51.13	328
   8	PayPal	$105,534	$50.74	6
   9	Silvaco	$104,335	$50.16
   10	Varian Medical Systems	$103,147	$49.59
   11	Lindsey & Associates	$102,990	$49.51
   12	Kiteworks	$101,732	$48.91
   13	Commvault	$99,110	$47.65
   14	Juniper Networks	$97,312	$46.78
   15	Mayo Clinic	$97,128	$46.70	14
   16	Fortinet	$97,114	$46.69	29
   17	GlobalLogic	$97,071	$46.67	2
   18	Cantor Fitzgerald	$94,874	$45.61
   19	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	$94,242	$45.31	443
   20	Amgen	$94,001	$45.19	3

4. Writing a computer programmer job description

   A computer programmer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a computer programmer job description:

   Computer programmer job description example

   We are looking for an experienced Computer Programmer IV who will help us creating secure and functional code in order to design and build superior and innovative software. You will provide quality coding solutions both for simple applications and complex information or operating systems.
   
   We expect you to have a passion for technology and software building. Besides, you should possess close attention to detail and an analytical mind.
   
   Position Details
   Secret Clearance Required
   Possess current SECRET clearance, or ability to obtain one.
   US Citizenship Required
   
   Education
   Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering from an ABET accredited program
   
   Required Experience
   Seven (7) years of professional experience in software development in engineering and/or control systems using C++
   Two (2) years of professional experience in software development using Microsoft .NET Framework
   Two (2) years of professional experience using Microsoft Visual Studio to develop, compile, and debug source code in C++/CLI, Managed C++, or C#
   One (1) year of professional experience as a technical and/or programming lead for a software project through the software life cycle, from requirements to design, implementation, deployment, and maintenance
   One (1) year of professional experience designing and/or analyzing software architectures
   One (1) year of professional experience writing, reviewing, and maintaining new or existing software requirements, technical documentation such as user manuals, product specifications, and training materials
   
   Role Responsibilities
   Performs and may provide guidance on all phases of the software development lifecycle.
   Analyze user/business needs and functionality to plan and design software systems to meet those needs.
   
   May provide guidance for less-experienced software developers in creating a variety of models and diagrams that show programmers the software code needed for an application.
   
   Performs and provides guidance on software updates, refinement, testing, and debugging to meet business needs.
   
   Provides relevant analysis for reports on software project specifications, activities, or status.
   Thoroughly documents the software or system process for future maintenance and updates.
   
   May provide guidance and work leadership to less-experienced analysts.
   
   Additional Requirements
   Possess one or more of the following certifications: CASP+, CE, CCNP, CISA, CISSP (or Associate), GCED, GCIH
   Knowledge of JIRA or Confluence
   
   ACI Federal is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find computer programmers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any computer programmers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level computer programmers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your computer programmer job on Zippia to find and attract quality computer programmer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with computer programmer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   If your interviews with computer programmer applicants aren't enough to make a decision, you should also consider including a test project. These are often the best, most straightforward, and least bias-prone ways of determining who will likely succeed in the role. If you don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new computer programmer

   Once you've decided on a perfect computer programmer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new computer programmer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a computer programmer?