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Job outlook for senior programmer analysts in the United States
Senior programmer analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior programmer analyst job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 56,000 new jobs for senior programmer analysts are projected over the next decade.
Senior programmer analyst salaries have increased 8% for senior programmer analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 182,055 senior programmer analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 164,022 active senior programmer analyst job openings in the US.
The average senior programmer analyst salary is $95,174.
Are senior programmer analyst jobs in demand?
Senior programmer analyst job and salary trends over time
Senior programmer analyst jobs over time
Senior programmer analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 182,055 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 257,722 | 0.08% |
| 2019 | 196,604 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 389,889 | 0.12% |
| 2017 | 390,213 | 0.12% |
Average senior programmer analyst salary over time
Senior programmer analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $95,174 | $45.76 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $92,038 | $44.25 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $89,954 | $43.25 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $89,478 | $43.02 | +1.2% |
| 2021 | $88,413 | $42.51 | +1.7% |
Senior programmer analyst jobs by state
Most common states for senior programmer analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 462 | 67% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,620 | 19% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 181 | 19% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,142 | 17% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 116 | 16% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 891 | 15% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 156 | 15% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 594 | 14% |
| 9 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,301 | 13% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 745 | 13% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 721 | 13% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 177 | 13% |
| 13 | Vermont | 623,657 | 78 | 13% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,565 | 12% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,213 | 12% |
| 16 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 869 | 12% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 360 | 12% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 125 | 12% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,007 | 11% |
| 20 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 793 | 11% |
Most common cities for senior programmer analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 2 | 7% | $79,859 |
| 2 | Skokie | 3 | 5% | $86,882 |
| 3 | Dover | 2 | 5% | $96,491 |
| 4 | Irving | 9 | 4% | $89,516 |
| 5 | Richmond | 8 | 4% | $93,474 |
| 6 | Tampa | 7 | 2% | $83,847 |
| 7 | Little Rock | 3 | 2% | $84,398 |
| 8 | Baltimore | 8 | 1% | $92,951 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | 7 | 1% | $83,053 |
| 10 | Orlando | 4 | 1% | $83,588 |
| 11 | Oakland | 3 | 1% | $115,112 |
| 12 | Saint Louis | 3 | 1% | $81,963 |
| 13 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $87,329 |
| 14 | Fort Wayne | 2 | 1% | $86,891 |
| 15 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $101,076 |
| 16 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $94,498 |
| 17 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $86,793 |
| 18 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $81,931 |
Senior Programmer Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior programmer analyst experts
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Framingham State University
Quinnipiac University
Suffolk University
University of Maryland - College Park
Ashford University
University of Connecticut
Pennsylvania State University
Wright State University
University of Guam
Indiana University Southeast
King University
University of Minnesota - Crookston
Gannon University
The University of Arizona
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
University of Toledo
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Eastern Washington University
Weber State University
What Senior Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lyle Ford: Be flexible and open to new experiences. Technology changes rapidly and your skills will have to evolve to keep up. You will always need your creativity and problem solving skills, but the way in which you implement them will change with your environment which will require you to constantly update your skillset. Always look for opportunities to network. This can give you insights into developing areas and open doors for future paths you may be unaware of.
What will help Senior Programmer Analysts increase their earning potential?
Lyle Ford: Computer skills (programming, working effectively with AI, and the like) will be important as the world continues to automate. The ability to design, build, and repair electronic and electromechanical systems will also be important for the same reason.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Programmer Analyst?
Erastus Ndinguri: A couple of ways to maximize your salary potential are;
Through first salary negotiation - By understanding the job market of your field, knowing what you can offer and preparing well for your salary negotiation you can positively maximize your first salary potential. This can affect your future earnings especially if you rise up the corporate ladder in the same organization.
Not settling, but continuing to learn- Learn a new skill that will help in building your resume. Network with colleagues in your organization and learn from them. Continuous learning and self-improvement create opportunities for higher earnings.
Embrace mentorships- Having a good seasoned colleague/mentor can open opportunities for higher earning. A mentor can help you prepare for a salary negotiation and also steer you to the right projects that lead to career advancements hence a higher salary.
Rick DelVecchio
Director of Career DevelopmentQuinnipiac University
Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
What general advice would you give to a Senior Programmer Analyst?
Rick DelVecchio: Internships and experiential learning help you build a portfolio of skills and experiences that prove you can bring value to future organizations. Make the most of those opportunities and make sure your resume shows the impact you had. Also, be sure to negotiate your initial job offer! Most employers have a range rather than a set number for compensation. Always negotiate the first offer you receive and try to maximize your initial earnings. Lastly, money follows impact. Track your own performance against the key performance metrics for your role. Be ready to go into your first performance review with data that proves you make a difference for the organization to justify any promotion or compensation increase you are seeking.
What will help Senior Programmer Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jodi Detjen: The advice that I typically give is to just start. The one key aspect though is to identify the industry. A recent WSJ article highlights that often students get stuck in an industry and find it hard to transition. I think exploration is critical. Students need to explore what types of jobs in their field they would enjoy. I counsel to do informational interviews with people in their network they admire or people who do work they think they would like. The key with informational interviews is to ask at the end who else should I speak with? Then the student not only builds their network but also learns different aspects of potential roles their degree can parlay into. One thing that challenges me is that often people in industry won't take an informational interview. This discourages students. Please - those in your career already - please give back to this generation. Another key piece of advice is to build relationships beyond one's comfort zone. This generation especially seems more intimidated and less willing to reach out to people. Once one starts in their job, the key is to build a network. I like Herminia Ibarra and Mark Hunter's three key networks: create an operational network that helps you get your job done well, a personal network that helps you interpersonally with work challenges, and a strategic network that looks beyond the current role into where you want to grow. And for those who struggle with networking - think of it more as relationship building. Everyone needs relationships at work. Exploration is so critical because without that, students will go into jobs they don't fully understand - and they might get stuck. But I also encourage them to be wide-ranging in their exploration. Too narrowly focusing on a particular industry can limit cool options. For example, biotech is rapidly growing and needs a lot of business people. BtoB companies such as Fastenal hire a lot but students tend to gravitate to BtoC companies with big brand names. Middle market companies hire a lot and again, students don't know the brand so don't apply.
What Senior Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Bono: The skills that will become more important and prevalent in the business field in the next 3-5 years fall under two categories: technical and non-technical. Technical fluency in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, cloud computing, internet of things, augmented/virtual reality, and quantum computing will be crucial. Data fluency will also rise in importance, focusing on effective communication using data. Non-technical skills such as adaptability, flexibility, teamwork, and collaboration will continue to be critical in the evolving business landscape.
What will help Senior Programmer Analysts increase their earning potential?
Anil Agarwal: Some skills will always be in Demand - such as Interpersonal communications , Project Management , Learning different languages and having great listening skills. What new skills will be in demand : Social media, content and Digital marketing. Data Analytics and or Business Analytics. Cross cultural management , Leadership Skills. Financial Management . Getting an MBA, MFS ( Masters of Finance ) , MSM ( Masters in Analytical Marketing ) or a Masters in Economics or an MHA ( Masters in Health Sciences. The fields of Bio Technology are also exploding if that is your bent of mind.
Travis Grosser Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Management (@ UConn School of Business)University of Connecticut
Human Resources Management And Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Programmer Analyst?
Travis Grosser Ph.D.: I'd recommend two things to new graduates just starting their careers: 1) develop their professional network by getting involved in professional groups and industry events. In particular, I encourage new graduates to seek out mentors and role models who can guide them, provide advice, and serve as a source of support and sponsorship throughout their career; 2) develop a specialized skill that is rare and valuable within their organization or industry. While general business acumen is important, having a niche or specialized skill can make one stand out.
What Senior Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Travis Grosser Ph.D.: The following are critical skills that will grow in importance in the coming years:
1. Innovative and Critical Thinking: The ability to think creatively and critically to solve complex problems will be highly valued, especially in a rapidly changing business landscape.
2. Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and manage one's own emotions, as well as empathize with others, will be crucial for successfully navigating a workplace where change, diversity, and collaboration will continue to increase.
3. Leadership and Change Management: Skills in leading teams, managing change, and inspiring innovation will be essential as businesses navigate through transitions and transformations.
4. Digital Literacy and Technological Proficiency: As technology continues to evolve rapidly, proficiency in digital tools and platforms will be crucial. Understanding emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain/Web3, and data analytics will be increasingly valuable.
What Senior Programmer Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer Coupland: Anticipate what is needed and demonstrate your worth.
Daniel Asamoah Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Interim ChairWright State University
Information Systems and Supply Chain Management Department
What skills stand out on Senior Programmer Analyst resumes?
Daniel Asamoah Ph.D.: Web Developer: JavaScript, HTML5, CSS, PHP, Python, APIs, Web user interface design.
What skills will help Senior Programmer Analysts earn the most?
Daniel Asamoah Ph.D.: Particularly for a web developer, HTML/CSS skills, scripting langue competency, communication skills.
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 Senior 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 will help Senior Programmer Analysts increase their earning potential?
James Sellmann Ph.D.: Computer skills, especially being able to work effectively with artificial intelligence will be most important. Being able to work with actual intelligence, that is living people, will always be an important skill.
Chris Sexton
Visiting Lecturer of Computer ScienceIndiana University Southeast
Computer Science Department
What skills stand out on Senior Programmer Analyst resumes?
Chris Sexton: The biggest thing that stands out to me in a candidate is how much effort in self-improvement is apparent on the resume. A candidate that lists a few jobs and bullet points of skills is acceptable but not impressive. But on the other hand, a candidate that lists a portfolio of projects to show those skills are real and how those skills made them a game-changing employee at their previous jobs is a clear winner.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Programmer Analysts?
Chris Sexton: As with soft skills, technical skills in teamwork matter, a candidate must have the ability to work with revision control, be it git or some similar system. In addition, it is vital that fundamental computing skills such as operating the shell of a Linux machine are good signs that a candidate will be able to adapt to new systems.
What soft skills should all Senior Programmer Analysts possess?
Chris Sexton: Teamwork is the obvious soft skill that is vital. It encompasses more than just being willing to work together but also includes strong documentation skills, textual communication skills, and precision in language. For an example of precision, which of the following is a task that can be completed:
"The login system will require strong passwords."
or
"The login system will require passwords of no less than 16 characters including at least two numbers and two non-alpha numeric characters."
It is easy for an engineer to be lax and use informal language that subtly confuses development efforts, but the valuable candidate will have strong technical communication skills.
What skills will help Senior Programmer Analysts earn the most?
Chris Sexton: My expectation for high earners is generally that they have relevant experience in real projects using the platforms used in the industry, but also that they know why and how those tools work. A candidate who has finished a computer science degree is going to be a candidate that has taken a class on algorithmic analysis, programming languages, software engineering, and of course, many other courses that reveal why we make the choices that we make with technology. Mistakes and shortsightedness are often the result without that key viewpoint of the "why." Leadership comes from confidence and understanding of fundamentals.
Jason Caudill Ph.D.
Professor of BusinessKing University
Management Information Systems
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Programmer Analysts?
Jason Caudill Ph.D.: The number one technical skill for today's professionals is the ability to learn new systems. Regardless of expertise in a particular platform, there are going to be updates and changes, and different companies will likely be on different major platforms to perform the same functions. A strong foundation of technical skills in communications software, spreadsheets, and cloud applications will give someone the foundation they need to function in most modern workplaces, but the real skill is being able to translate that understanding of the architecture to multiple platforms so they can manage change.
What skills will help Senior Programmer Analysts earn the most?
Jason Caudill Ph.D.: I think the two most profitable skills will be communication and adaptability. Almost nothing happens in a vacuum, so to be successful, today's professionals have to be able to effectively collaborate with others in various departments and in other organizations. That can only happen with effective communication skills. Coupled with that is the fact that dynamic markets, shorter product lifespans, and longer careers are demanding that people change their skill sets and adapt to different markets more than they ever have before. The professional who can continuously adapt to the demands of the market, who is willing to add new skills over time as a lifelong learner, will be the most prepared to offer continued value to a company, which will result in higher earnings.
Christine Bakke
LecturerUniversity of Minnesota - Crookston
Math, Science & Technology Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Programmer Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Christine Bakke: For many years remote tech support has been a growing field, but it was not the norm. Today, remote tech support and IT management have become crucial for daily operations. Remote work requires a solid IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, capable equipment, and quality software. The need for educated and experienced MIS / ITM / CIS will continue to increase.
Trends toward remote offices will become more acceptable and common; while some companies will return to the office en masse, others will allow more flexibility or become hybrid, and some will truly embrace the remote office. Use of remote tools such as Zoom will stay strong, as they provide global access at a huge cost benefit.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Programmer Analysts?
Christine Bakke: MIS is a technical business degree which is offered with slightly different emphasis depending on the school's home department. For example, if a business department houses the degree it is often referred to as MIS; however, when Information Technology or Computer Science departments house this degree, the program would be called Information Technology Management (ITM) or Computer Information Systems (CIS). Each university has the autonomy to offer variations based on their specializations. Even though the programs can differ slightly, in general students receiving any of these three degrees receive an education in three areas: technical, management/business, and soft skills. Note that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics directs queries for all three fields (ITM, MIS and CIS) to the same data page (see answer to question 3).
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Programmer Analysts?
Christine Bakke: In previous questions, I have used my own wording; however, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is the most accurate source for an answer to this question:
The median pay for ITM, MIS, & CIS (all listed together at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics):
$146,360 per year
$70.37 per hour
"Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. These occupations are projected to add about 531,200 new jobs. Demand for these workers will stem from greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security. "
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Senior 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 Senior 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.
Tyler Conklin
LecturerThe University of Arizona
Computer science Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Programmer Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Tyler Conklin: The impact of the pandemic on the job market is limited in computer science. We are lucky to be in a field where remote work was routine long before the pandemic. This isn't true of all software engineering jobs, but many can be done with only a computer and internet access. The biggest changes come in the interviewing process and how the actual work will occur. It may be a long time before new hires ever meet their coworkers face to face.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Programmer Analysts?
Tyler Conklin: A bachelor's degree in computer science will always help job prospects. I would consider it a great investment. However, some companies have made it clear that they are willing and happy to hire graduates of computer science boot camps. These are shorter courses aimed at teaching the student one specific technology or a very specific set of skills so that student can acquire a job in a certain subfield of software engineering. This is a much cheaper alternative than a traditional four-year degree. The tradeoff is less breadth of knowledge and more limited job options, and of course missing out on everything else that comes with a four-year degree. An even more efficient way to increase job prospects is to work on personal projects. Few things impress an interviewer more than a candidate showing off an application that he or she built on their own. What can show an interviewer that you can do the job better than a project demonstrating the required skills and knowledge?
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Programmer Analysts?
Tyler Conklin: Computer scientists and software engineers have been fortunate in seeing salaries continually increase in the field. Computer science student enrollment has continued to skyrocket, leading to a larger workforce, but it appears that demand continues to grow even faster.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Programmer Analysts?
J.P. Mellor: I'm sure the pandemic will have an enduring impact on all of us. Our students are certainly experiencing new challenges as they strive to learn during the pandemic. They are aquiring skills and competencies associated with working remotely and engaging while doing so. These are skills that students in past years did not attain.
What's a day at work look like for a Senior Programmer Analyst?
J.P. Mellor: I'm not sure that what our graduates do has changed at all. How they do it has changed somewhat. All of us are learning to connect and engage remotely. Whether they're a recent grad or a not so recent grad they all are learning new skills as a result of the impact of the pandemic.
What will help Senior Programmer Analysts increase their earning potential?
J.P. Mellor: Our graduates are particularly good at making positive progress even when the way forward is not clear, they don't know how to do what needs to be accomplished, and/or they've never done it before. This is a skill set requires a solid technical foundation and makes our graduates especially valuable.that is part
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Programmer Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Jared Onyango Oluoch Ph.D.: We are already seeing a lot of professionals working remotely. This trend will likely continue especially in domains such as software engineering. With this may also occur lack of social connections and team building that we have seen over the years with people working in offices or facilities.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Programmer Analysts?
Jared Onyango Oluoch Ph.D.: In databases - various Oracle database certifications; in networking - Cisco CCNA; in cybersecurity CompTIA security. Engineering and engineering technology graduates will boost their earning potentially by getting the Professional Engineer (PE) license.
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Programmer Analysts?
Jared Onyango Oluoch Ph.D.: I think salaries in academia especially in Computer Science and Engineering Technology are rising and are expected to given the demand of graduates in these areas.
Janos Fustos Ph.D.
ProfessorMetropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Programmer Analysts?
Janos Fustos Ph.D.: I think the impact will not be that much on the graduates but on the environment where they start their professional career and how they have completed their studies.
This pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives - among others how we work (or stat to work) and how we learn. Being in higher education I can definitely see both. The home office became the standard working environment with all the advantages and several disadvantages. You do not have to go/travel to your corporate office, you may be available even at odd hours to work, some find the home environment more relaxing, there are less formalities, some might communicate easier in writing or from behind a turned-off camera, they could take advantage of personal schedule and individual peek times, more control over their schedules etc.
But even as you work at home you may experience more disruption, you are more available for personal/family affairs, you may not have that much opportunity to interact with colleagues and miss opportunities for meaningful discussions for extending your knowledge base, networking, you have to deal with technical issues on your own or less support etc.
Some similar issues can be mentioned when it comes to changes in the way we participate in education. Most of the class meetings are online with limited individual interaction and/or access to teachers, less direct interaction with classmates, technical challenges, home office setup challenges etc. All these together impact students/graduates differently: some take these as an advantage while some others are impacted more by the disadvantages. But whichever we look at that I think there is a definite impact of the pandemic on all of us and while we have already spent about 10-12 month in this "splendid isolation" and survived more or less so far, we do not know if it may have more enduring or serious impact on our lives - that needs to be seen from a much longer perspective.
What technical skills for a Senior Programmer Analyst stand out to employers?
Janos Fustos Ph.D.: These days - since we went to the home office - everybody is looking for solutions that gives more and better support to remote workers. Organizations are looking for options where they can connect back to the organizations'' networks to complete their work. But that means much more work for the IT folks to make that happen and do that safely and securely. That means they are looking for individuals with technical skills that are in or closely related fields: security engineers and analysts, business analysts, data administrators, cloud service operators, network specialists etc.
Also, employers are looking for more experienced professional who can hit the ground running because their needs are more pressing and immediate, so they do not have too much time for training and education. But they are also looking for trainers to better educate users about their working environments and the changing working conditions. Users have to rely a bit more on these trainings because they cannot enjoy the immediate and direct IT support in their homes. In addition to that (or to extend that) helpdesk people are also in high demand who have the technical and also the people's skills to troubleshoot the problems that occur in highly uncertain and diverse environments.
What's a good job out of college for Senior Programmer Analysts?
Janos Fustos Ph.D.: I hope students are asking that question before they enroll in the first course at a college because otherwise, they would waste lot of time and money to work on a degree or a career path that does not fulfill their goals and personal interest. In that sense any job is a good job that somebody understands, feels that he/she is a good fit and can live up to the imposed challenges, and has the knowledge/skills to work in the field. There are interesting and self-fulfilling jobs to choose from. Certainly, it starts with the definition what a "good" means to an individual, what are the attributes of that definition: is that the professional area, is the salary, is it the challenging nature, is it more about the working environment and the people they can work with, is it the promotion options, the high impact etc. There are several lists available on the internet that provide recommendations and track the different aspects of job selection options for seekers.
Christian Hansen Ph.D.
Professor and Department ChairEastern Washington University
Department of Mathematics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Programmer Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Christian Hansen Ph.D.: Within the short-term, the biggest trend in the job market is currently an increased demand for workforce in the healthcare and technology disciplines. In the long-term, healthcare will remain in demand, but I predict the highest future increase will be in the areas of data science, software and computer engineering.
What soft skills should all Senior Programmer Analysts possess?
Christian Hansen Ph.D.: The soft skills that all graduates should possess include strong communication and teamwork skills regardless of the discipline. Analytical skills will be in high demand, as well as the ability to adapt and learn new technology. Data will continue to play a bigger role in almost any type of business; therefore, the ability to analyze and interpret data for decision making will be increasingly critical. Many jobs in the future are jobs that do not yet exist and as a result, new graduates must have the ability to adapt.
What's a day at work look like for a Senior Programmer Analyst?
Christian Hansen Ph.D.: In the post-pandemic era, a typical workday for a recent graduate will likely involve some form of remote work. I predict that many businesses will benefit from the reduced cost of remote infrastructure compared to the cost of maintaining brick and mortar office space. Many new graduates will continue to spend their day on a computer while collaborating in teams via Zoom and other teleconference tools. People working in disciplines that have traditionally been "on the ground" will move towards more hybrid modes of work, reducing the need for travel and participating in face-to-face meetings and training.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Programmer Analysts?
Dr. Kyle Feuz Ph.D.: Change is often a slow process. For years, we have been hearing about the potential benefits of having employees work remotely and many companies had even started moving in that direction prior to the pandemic. However, the pandemic forced rapid change in the workplace environment with remote work becoming a necessity if businesses wanted to stay open. As I talk with different employers I am hearing a consistent message: remote work is here to stay.
This should not be interpreted to mean that every company is suddenly committed to allowing their employees to work remotely on a full-time basis (although some are). Instead, many companies see this as an opportunity to allow increased flexibility with work schedules and remote work. I do not anticipate that these changes will be immediate. Remember, change is often a slow process. I cannot predict the ripple effect such changes will cause in the job market.
With that in mind, we can start to consider the broader effects such policies will have. This has the potential to open the job market up to a wider audience. Previously, a graduate would have to decide if they were willing to relocate before looking at an opening outside of their immediate geographic area. With full-time remote work, those geographic constraints no longer apply. Similarly, individuals with other commitments that may prevent them from working a traditional 9-5 job may find opportunities that would previously have been unavailable to them. This just barely scratches the surface of the enduring impacts the pandemic may cause but one thing is certain, the world will never be the same.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior 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 soft skills should all Senior Programmer Analysts possess?
Dr. Kyle Feuz Ph.D.: The top three things I hear from employers when talking about soft-skills are communication, collaboration, and ethics. They need employees who know how to communicate professionally in both written communications and oral communications. They also need employees who can work with others. You may be working internally with colleagues or externally with customers, clients and business partners but there are very few positions where collaborating with others is not a large part of the job. Finally, employers are looking for trustworthy employees. Many technical positions involve working with sensitive data, and no amount of technical controls can compensate for unethical or untrustworthy employees. All three of these soft skills are only going to increase in importance with the rise in remote work. Remote work cannot function successfully without good communication, collaboration and ethical behavior.