Do coding jobs pay well?

Yes, coding jobs pay well. The average salary for a coder is $63,903 per year. Those just starting out in coding jobs can expect to make an average of $50,000 in a year, and experienced coders earn around $85,000 a year. Factors such as the type of coding position and location can impact how much a coding job will pay.

What degree do you need to be a programmer?

No, you do not need a degree to be a programmer. In many cases, however, employers may require a candidate to have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related area. Other employers may focus just on previous work experience.

Where do I start a career in programming?

To start a career in programming, there are several different paths that you can take. It's important for you to do your research and figure out what type of computer programmer you want to be and what type of industry you wish to work in. Once you have a good understanding of what you want to do, it will make it easier to decide which path is best for you.

How To Become A Programming Specialist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a programming specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A programming specialist has expertise in computer programming and software development. They use programming languages to write, test, and maintain code for computer applications. Programming specialists analyze user needs and design and implement software solutions. They also debug programs and work to improve performance. Programming specialists collaborate with project managers, designers, and quality assurance testers to meet requirements. They stay up-to-date with the latest technologies to develop innovative solutions and improve user experiences.

ScoreProgramming SpecialistUS Average

Salary

4.3

Avg. Salary $55,521

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.5

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 5.88%

Black or African American 11.77%

Hispanic or Latino 17.17%

Unknown 6.31%

White 58.35%

Gender

female 69.32%

male 30.68%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

5.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a programming specialist?

Pros

High demand for programming specialists
Potential for high salary
Opportunities to work remotely or from home
Flexibility in choosing programming languages and tools
Ability to work on a wide range of projects

Cons

Long hours and tight deadlines
High competition for jobs and contracts
Difficulties in communication with clients who lack technical knowledge
Potential for burnout due to the demanding nature of the job
Risk of becoming too specialized in one area or technology

Key steps to become a programming specialist

Explore programming specialist education requirements

Most common programming specialist degrees

Bachelor's

61.3 %

Master's

14.9 %

Associate

14.0 %

Start to develop specific programming specialist skills

Skills	Percentages
Social Work	9.48%
Customer Service	9.10%
Veterans	7.77%
Technical Assistance	5.99%
Patients	5.24%

Complete relevant programming specialist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New programming specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a programming specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real programming specialist resumes.

Research programming specialist duties and responsibilities

Develop SQL queries and tools and use internally provide interface as see fit to accomplish a variety of form customizing tasks.
Recruit, manage and motivate volunteers in public education, professional education, service and rehabilitation and tobacco control programs.
Assist at CYS marketing table.
Train in youth restraints and de-escalation.

Prepare your programming specialist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your programming specialist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a programming specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable programming specialist resume templates

Build a professional programming specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your programming specialist resume.