Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for junior programmer analysts in the United States
Junior programmer analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected junior programmer analyst job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 56,000 new jobs for junior programmer analysts are projected over the next decade.
Junior programmer analyst salaries have increased 8% for junior programmer analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 53,017 junior programmer analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 38,412 active junior programmer analyst job openings in the US.
The average junior programmer analyst salary is $65,857.
Are junior programmer analyst jobs in demand?
Junior programmer analyst job and salary trends over time
Junior programmer analyst jobs over time
Junior programmer analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53,017 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 53,714 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 48,743 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 70,437 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 70,096 | 0.02% |
Average junior programmer analyst salary over time
Junior programmer analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $65,857 | $31.66 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $63,687 | $30.62 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $62,245 | $29.93 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | $61,916 | $29.77 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $61,179 | $29.41 | +1.7% |
Junior programmer analyst jobs by state
Most common states for junior programmer analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 353 | 51% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,015 | 17% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,185 | 14% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 734 | 11% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 98 | 10% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 77 | 10% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 60 | 10% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 279 | 9% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 467 | 8% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 274 | 8% |
| 11 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 133 | 8% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 109 | 8% |
| 13 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 86 | 8% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 81 | 8% |
| 15 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 44 | 8% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 720 | 7% |
| 17 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 684 | 7% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 493 | 7% |
| 19 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 394 | 7% |
| 20 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 357 | 7% |
Most common cities for junior programmer analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | 1 | 1% | $66,152 |
| 2 | Syracuse | 1 | 1% | $66,793 |
| 3 | Buffalo | 1 | 0% | $66,778 |
| 4 | Cleveland | 1 | 0% | $64,257 |
| 5 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $70,084 |
| 6 | New York | 1 | 0% | $67,061 |
| 7 | Philadelphia | 1 | 0% | $67,834 |
Junior Programmer Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of junior programmer analyst experts
Nova Southeastern University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Texas A&M University San Antonio
Mount St. Joseph University
University of Richmond
Idaho State University
University of Guam
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Gannon University
Weber State University
University of New Haven
Montana State University
Allegheny College
Saint Xavier University
Taylor University
John Brown University
Rider University
Union University
Seminole State College of Florida
Harding University
What general advice would you give to a Junior Programmer Analyst?
Dr. Frank Mitropoulos Ph.D.: As you begin your career in Computer Applications, remember that the technology industry highly values adaptability and continuous learning. Commit to staying current with emerging technologies, programming languages, tools, and methodologies. Engage in online courses, attend workshops, and network with other professionals in your field. This dedication to self-learning and the connections you make can lead to job opportunities, mentorship, and collaborations that could shape your future career path.
What Junior Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Frank Mitropoulos Ph.D.: Maximizing your salary potential as a new graduate with a Computer Applications degree involves strategic positioning, skill enhancement, and effective negotiation. Following are a few strategies to help increase your salary now and in the future: Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Identify and specialize in high-demand areas that generally offer higher salaries. Build a Strong Portfolio: Develop a portfolio that showcases your skills. A compelling portfolio can strengthen your position during salary negotiations. Develop Soft Skills: While technical skills are essential, soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and leadership hold equal significance. Enhancing these skills can give you an edge in negotiations. Do your Homework and Negotiate: Some industries and locations offer higher salaries. Decide what type of industry you want to focus on and do the background research needed to determine whether your skills will help as leverage. Use your portfolio, certifications, and skill set to strengthen your position. Be ready to articulate your value and how you can contribute to the company's success.
What will help Junior 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 general advice would you give to a Junior Programmer Analyst?
Ahmed Imteaj PH.D.: Research Salary Trends, Acquire In-Demand Skills, Gain Relevant Experience, Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter, Prepare for Salary Negotiations, Consider Additional Benefits.
Izzat Alsmadi
Associate ProfessorTexas A&M University San Antonio
Computer Science
What Junior Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Izzat Alsmadi: With the quick and rapid evolution language models, they are expected to be great assets in accelerating many jobs. Its important for new graduates to be aware of such models or tools and how they can be used
Programming skills will still be important but languages will be more mature and graduates need to be aware of the different available tools and resources online and how they can be used
Rebecca Allen
Mount St. Joseph University
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Junior Programmer Analyst?
Rebecca Allen: AI, for sure. I have heard it said that AI might not replace humans, rather humans who know how to use AI well may replace humans who don't.
Ahmed Temani
Senior InstructorUniversity of Richmond
Computer/Information Technology Administration And Management
What general advice would you give to a Junior Programmer Analyst?
Ahmed Temani: A lot of the buzz is about using chatbots to improve coding efficiency. However, there is a great need for systems level thinking and design as software is deployed across cloud and edge computing devices. Gaining more experience in systems design provides you with additional skills that complement whatever AI-based technology gets deployed.
What Junior Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ahmed Temani: This one I'm not sure how to answer as it is too broad. I would say work hard and do quality work, but that seems obvious.
What Junior Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nikyra Capson: Don't be afraid of being rejected. If they see a job they want, apply. Even if they don't think they'll get it, still apply. The worst thing that could happen is being told no. Not applying is an automatic no, so they might as well try.
James Sellmann Ph.D.
Dean, Professor of Philosophy and Micronesian StudiesUniversity of Guam
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Junior Programmer Analyst?
James Sellmann Ph.D.: General advice is to keep in mind that you must leverage your skills, especially your soft skills of being able to work with people, to communicate effectively and to be able to solve problems. Be real. Don't try to pretend to be someone else to impress others. Be your authentic self. And show up on time.
What Junior Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
James Sellmann Ph.D.: General advice is to keep in mind that you must leverage your skills, especially your soft skills of being able to work with people, to communicate effectively and to be able to solve problems. Be real. Don't try to pretend to be someone else to impress others. Be your authentic self. And show up on time.
Travis Mandel Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Hawaii at Hilo
Department of Computer Science
What soft skills should all Junior 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.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Junior 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 Junior 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.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Junior Programmer Analysts?
Dr. Kyle Feuz Ph.D.: Any time you have a certification, license or degree it's going to give you a leg up compared to your peers with similar skill sets but no certification. Often the certification or degree will help your resume make it through an initial screening process but then it's up to you to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills the certification is supposed to represent. It's also important to know what career you want to pursue. Certifications are usually targeted to a very limited skill set. If that skill set is a critical part of the job description then the certification will be a strong mark in your favor. Some fields even require certification before you will be considered for the position. However, if the skill set is only tangentially related to the job description then there is little benefit in having the certification.
What's a good job out of college for Junior Programmer Analysts?
Christopher Martinez Ph.D.: The best job you can have out of college is a job you have passion for and will set you up to advance your career. If you have always wanted to work in aerospace, then you should seek out that field from the start. I hate to see students settle for a job because of pay or because they feel they can move to their dream field later.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Junior Programmer Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Brock LaMeres Ph.D.: Businesses that do primarily computer-based work have not been impacted by COVID as much as trade-based businesses. They have figured out how to continue operations with the majority of their employees working from home. I feel like the types of jobs that people will hire into will have a significant "work-at-home" component. There will also be a surge in businesses trying to provide the resources for work-at-home employees.
Oliver Bonham-Carter Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorAllegheny College
Department of Computer Science and Affiliated Faculty in Integrative Informatics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Junior Programmer Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Oliver Bonham-Carter Ph.D.: Pandemic has accelerated social connectivity trends using technology, including technology for remote work, and e-learning, and technology to make e-commerce more comfortable and faster. I foresee these accelerated technology trends to continue, even after the pandemic, and therefore job markets in these areas to continue to grow. Another big surge we have seen is in data analytics, which has been increasing over the last decade, and COVID-19 has spotlighted this field. I expect data analyst jobs to continue to be in demand and to grow. Also, the pandemic showed us the interconnectedness of technology with other areas. As the need to develop better solutions to fight various diseases heightens, for example, I expect jobs in biotech to grow.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Junior Programmer Analysts in the next 5 years?
James Vanderhyde: There has been a steady increase in software and IT jobs for the last 20 years, and this is not going to slow down any time soon. In the next 5 years, demand will increase, particularly in software development and cybersecurity. The technology field changes so quickly that beyond 5 years, it is difficult to make predictions. That is why we thoroughly prepare our computer science and information systems students for technology changes and career shifts to discover the best in themselves and to be prepared to meet the demand and excel within the field.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Junior Programmer Analysts to find work opportunities?
James Vanderhyde: Any big city will have lots of opportunities for computing, software, and IT work. Silicon Valley and the rest of the west coast are the most famous, but innovation is happening everywhere around the country and around the world, including here in Chicago. Chicago tech companies have hired our students upon graduation, and likewise, our graduates have found success and gratification in the field.
What are the best companies to work for a Junior Programmer Analyst?
James Vanderhyde: The best companies to work for are companies that respect you as a person and not just a cog in the machine. They are inclusive, and they recognize and appreciate diversity. They have a track record of handling sick leave and family leave as needed. They will not expect you to eat dinner in your office and then go back to work after an already long day. All software companies experience crunch times around release dates, but the best companies do not experience constant crunch. That is a sign of poor management. The best companies will give you challenging problems to work on and reward innovation.
Dr. Jonathan Geisler
Associate ProfessorTaylor University
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
What are the best companies to work for a Junior Programmer Analyst?
Dr. Jonathan Geisler: The best companies to work for are the ones that are responsive to both their customers' and employees' needs. They are the ones that have tried to be proactive during the pandemic and not just survive until everything got "back to normal." They know that a damaged workforce leads to a damaged company, and so they provide good management, encouraging everyone to be healthy mentally and physically.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Junior Programmer Analysts in the next 5 years?
Dr. Jonathan Geisler: There will be a continued increase in demand for computer engineering
graduates as computers become more heavily integrated into the fabric
of our lives. Things like self-driving cars, the Internet of Things, and
mobile computing will become more commonplace and increase the demand for engineering talent; the long-term trend of using smartphones and web-based applications will not slow, leading to an increase in the
demand for computing talent.
How do you envision technology impacting Junior Programmer Analysts in the next 5 years?
Dr. Ted Junseok Song: The question is not whether technology will advance or not. It is, rather, how it will advance. Professionals in the industry need to be equipped to see the customers' demand and where our society is headed. I would recommend college students to be interested in broad topics apart from topics in their major. Well-rounded people will have more opportunities to impact the future.
Dr. Howard Rees
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Information SystemsRider University
Information systems
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Junior Programmer Analysts?
Dr. Howard Rees: We're moving into a volatile time for the economy, and planning for an uncertain future is what big companies are concerned with. In many ways, the pandemic and concerns over future pandemics that we now know can be globally devastating will be a boon for CS and IT graduates. Face to face business interactions and transactions will be dramatically reduced, both in the short term and in the long run, as there will be a need to hedge against future pandemics. Everything changes from production and operations to supply chain and risk management and diversification to the nature of "office work." And all of that must be underpinned by computer technology: communications, security, data analytics. These are trends that have been developing for the past few decades but the pandemic will accelerate them, and that's all useful, if you're a CS or IT graduate with a broad base of knowledge, which provides you the freedom to adapt.
What general advice would you give to a Junior Programmer Analyst?
Brian Glas: Build relationships: Different technologies will interest and challenge you, but throughout your career, you'll find that it's the relationships that are the most important. This is harder to grasp earlier in your career, but much easier to understand after 15-20 years.
Gain different perspectives: Spend time with people in other roles that your job interacts with, and gain a solid understanding of how they view things; this is most valuable for career progression and understanding of how your work fits into the big picture.
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.
Professor/Program ManagerSeminole State College of Florida
Center for Information Technology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Junior Programmer Analysts?
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.: Many I.T. employees already have the option to work remotely (telecommute), but this will become even more important with the Coronavirus challenges. Employees must be able to work remotely and be organized and self-directed. Employers are looking for teleworkers that can work on a task from anywhere.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Junior Programmer Analysts?
Frank McCown Ph.D.: Many companies have changed their hiring practices. It's not unusual for a new graduate to jump straight into remote work. I predict the move from in-person work to remote work is only going to accelerate as we get more comfortable with it. Once the pandemic dies down, and economic uncertainties start to go away, companies that had been on hiring freezes will likely jump back in, creating a strong market for graduates.