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What does an information technology programmer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Howard Rees

Information technology programmers are known as software engineers, systems, and computer programmers who are responsible for designing and creating programs, system integration, maintaining operating systems, and supporting data architecture. They do complex tasks, including managing system performance, modifying source code, analyzing algorithms, and provide technical support. The knowledge and experience are required to carry out regular assessment and level of exposure to possible risk. In addition, they also review and update existing programs and develop in-house software, and mitigating potential risk.

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Information technology programmer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real information technology programmer resumes:

  • Manage a re-design of the company s Intranet using Microsoft SharePoint.
  • Manage and statistically analyze large databases using SAS on both the mainframe and PC environments.
  • Lead the development of build the UI layer for a high traffic call center application.
  • Manage creative/technical/ design of application features and user interactions for innovative GUI system including 3D and 2D graphics API.
  • Manage staffing and direction of Java department responsible for enhancement, maintenance, and troubleshooting of website-base up-sell tool.
  • Develop user interface using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Work on PolicyPro UI/Servicing part using asp.net, c #, xml, JavaScript.
  • Provide desktop support for end users.
  • Work extensively writing functions, triggers in PL/SQL.
  • Create PL/SQL scripts such as views, triggers and procedures.
  • Create a number of server-base reports with a PHP front ends.
  • Implement CSS libraries to stylize layout elements, font colors and tables.
  • Create and merge new databases to leverage large amounts of CRM data.
  • Serve as a help desk liaison by troubleshooting PC and printer issues.
  • Update HTML pages to add new options in GUI as per business requirements.

Information technology programmer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Information Technology Programmers are proficient in C++, Java, and JavaScript. They’re also known for soft skills such as Troubleshooting skills, Detail oriented, and Analytical skills.

We break down the percentage of Information Technology Programmers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • C++, 10%

    Worked directly with our customers to successfully integrate our process control software into their C++ and VB applications.

  • Java, 7%

    Design and implementation of a distributed web-alerts application for an automated quotation network (using Java Socket Programming).

  • JavaScript, 6%

    Designed & developed user interface using ASP.NET, C#, Win Forms, Web forms, HTML, JavaScript.

  • Windows, 5%

    Performed implementation of numerous iterations of Windows and Linux software and hardware solutions.

  • HTML, 4%

    Created and programmed HTML and plain-text emails to comply with SPAM assassin rules for email marketing.

  • Web Application, 4%

    Analyzed, updated and developed several company-wide web applications.

"c++," "java," and "javascript" are among the most common skills that information technology programmers use at work. You can find even more information technology programmer responsibilities below, including:

Troubleshooting skills. One of the key soft skills for an information technology programmer to have is troubleshooting skills. You can see how this relates to what information technology programmers do because "an important part of a programmer’s job is to check the code for errors and fix any they find." Additionally, an information technology programmer resume shows how information technology programmers use troubleshooting skills: "managed staffing and direction of java department responsible for enhancement, maintenance, and troubleshooting of website-based up-sell tool. "

Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling information technology programmer duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "computer programmers must closely examine the code they write because a small mistake can affect the entire computer program." According to an information technology programmer resume, here's how information technology programmers can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "used content types in sharepoint 2010 to allow drill downs for job details. "

Analytical skills. This is an important skill for information technology programmers to perform their duties. For an example of how information technology programmer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "computer programmers must understand complex instructions in order to create computer code." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an information technology programmer: "programmed the excel vba access to unidata utilizing the uniobjects technology. ".

All information technology programmer skills

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Compare different information technology programmers

Information technology programmer vs. Programmer/analyst lead

A programmer analyst is responsible for monitoring database performance and software applications, performing basic troubleshooting, and improving program operations as needed. Programmer analysts' duties also include making adjustments on the system based on client's specifications, creating reports for any updates and new system procedures, designing specific technology solutions to improve the business operations, and performing necessary code adjustments. A programmer analyst must have extensive knowledge of computer systems and procedures, as well as critical-thinking skills to perform complex tasks under minimal supervision.

We looked at the average information technology programmer salary and compared it with the wages of a programmer/analyst lead. Generally speaking, programmer/analyst leads are paid $15,950 higher than information technology programmers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both information technology programmer and programmer/analyst lead positions are skilled in c++, java, and javascript.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between information technology programmers and programmer/analyst lead. For instance, information technology programmer responsibilities require skills such as "provide technical assistance," "computer programs," "technical support," and "c # .net." Whereas a programmer/analyst lead is skilled in "c #," "project management," "sql server," and "ibm mainframe." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Programmer/analyst leads earn the highest salaries when working in the retail industry, with an average yearly salary of $110,090. On the other hand, information technology programmers are paid more in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $105,642.On average, programmer/analyst leads reach similar levels of education than information technology programmers. Programmer/analyst leads are 3.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Information technology programmer vs. Programmer analyst

Computer programmers provide assistance and services concerning computer applications and software programs. A computer programmer must be highly-knowledgeable on programming languages and operating systems to create projects and fix any malfunctions under minimal supervision. Computer programmers must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to analyze data and request assistance from a senior programmer as needed. They must also be keen on details to oversee possible faulty codes, troubleshooting problems, and upgrading systems to ensure that the program will perform smoothly and efficiently.

Programmer analyst positions earn lower pay than information technology programmer roles. They earn a $17,500 lower salary than information technology programmers per year.A few skills overlap for information technology programmers and programmer analysts. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "c++," "java," and "javascript. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that information technology programmer responsibilities requires skills like "windows," "provide technical assistance," "computer programs," and "microsoft sql server." But a programmer analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "sql server," "test cases," "front end," and "windows nt."

On average, programmer analysts earn a lower salary than information technology programmers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, programmer analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $76,037. Whereas information technology programmers have higher pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $105,642.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Programmer analysts tend to reach higher levels of education than information technology programmers. In fact, they're 5.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for information technology programmers in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Howard Rees

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Information Systems, Rider University

Hmm, what technology? That's a question with many different levels of context. For some undergraduates in CS and IT, I would look at systems programming in massively parallel environments, application programming with particular focus on security and privacy, and data science and analytics. For other undergraduates, they might look at artificial intelligence and machine learning, for business applications especially. AI is becoming ubiquitous throughout the business, but it's often used as a "black box."
Meaning that the applications (and those "operating" them) do not understand what's happening inside. AI systems are often "designed, trained, and tested" by the provider and certified as generating the output most desired by the customer but only in a statistical sense. There is no "proof" that the AI black box is, with certainty, doing what the business customer (or the provider for that matter) thinks it is doing - it just does a good job when tested on data. There will be a significant need for tech-savvy people to design, train, monitor, and apply them so that they do not deviate from the desired goals. Such deviations can result in socially destructive business practices. As you can't properly manage what you don't understand, there is a risk in using AI too blindly. CS and IT graduates will need to help out.

Information technology programmer vs. Programmer

Statistical analysis system (SAS) programmers are information technology (IT) professionals who oversee data collection and analysis. Their main job typically includes creating statistical tables showing information, converting raw data into data sets, and aggregating and manipulating data to analyze productivity and projects. Other duties include managing and maintaining databases, designing and writing programs, and writing macros to make the dataset commands simpler. SAS programmers are also responsible for preparing and presenting operations reports to all management levels.

On average scale, programmers bring in lower salaries than information technology programmers. In fact, they earn a $16,056 lower salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on information technology programmers and programmers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "c++," "java," and "javascript.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, information technology programmers are more likely to have skills like "windows," "provide technical assistance," "computer programs," and "technical support." But a programmer is more likely to have skills like "python," "data entry," "api," and "c."

Programmers make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $86,815. On the other hand, information technology programmers are paid the highest salary in the hospitality industry, with average annual pay of $105,642.Most programmers achieve a similar degree level compared to information technology programmers. For example, they're 3.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Information technology programmer vs. Sas programmer

Sas programmers tend to earn a lower pay than information technology programmers by an average of $9,881 per year.According to resumes from information technology programmers and sas programmers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "java," "html," and "pl/sql. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An information technology programmer uses "c++," "javascript," "windows," and "web application." Sas programmers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "macro," "sas macros," "statistical analysis," and "sas/sql. "The retail industry tends to pay the highest salaries for sas programmers, with average annual pay of $93,781. Comparatively, the highest information technology programmer annual salary comes from the hospitality industry.The average resume of sas programmers showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to information technology programmers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 23.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 2.4%.

Types of information technology programmer

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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