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Job outlook for senior technical developers in the United States
Senior technical developer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior technical developer job growth rate is 21% from 2018-2028.
About 284,100 new jobs for senior technical developers are projected over the next decade.
Senior technical developer salaries have increased 10% for senior technical developers in the last 5 years.
There are over 248,640 senior technical developers currently employed in the United States.
There are 325,032 active senior technical developer job openings in the US.
The average senior technical developer salary is $112,642.
Are senior technical developer jobs in demand?
Senior technical developer job and salary trends over time
Senior technical developer jobs over time
Senior technical developer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 248,640 | 0.07% |
| 2020 | 379,121 | 0.11% |
| 2019 | 93,065 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 153,272 | 0.05% |
| 2017 | 144,930 | 0.04% |
Average senior technical developer salary over time
Senior technical developer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $112,642 | $54.15 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $108,930 | $52.37 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $106,464 | $51.18 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $104,584 | $50.28 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $102,827 | $49.44 | +1.9% |
Senior technical developer jobs by state
Most common states for senior technical developers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 669 | 96% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 380 | 61% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 492 | 37% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 367 | 35% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 203 | 35% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 327 | 34% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,821 | 32% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 243 | 32% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,800 | 30% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 215 | 29% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,555 | 28% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 525 | 27% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 232 | 27% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 3,144 | 25% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,618 | 25% |
| 16 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,556 | 25% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,102 | 25% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 853 | 24% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 259 | 24% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,113 | 23% |
Most common cities for senior technical developers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hallandale Beach | 1 | 3% | $98,383 |
| 2 | Lowell | 2 | 2% | $113,751 |
| 3 | Aliso Viejo | 1 | 2% | $128,337 |
| 4 | New Orleans | 2 | 1% | $90,351 |
| 5 | Tampa | 2 | 1% | $101,702 |
| 6 | Fayetteville | 1 | 1% | $94,005 |
| 7 | Grand Rapids | 1 | 1% | $92,764 |
| 8 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $110,300 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $106,355 |
| 10 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $99,601 |
| 11 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $100,951 |
| 12 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $117,561 |
| 13 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $115,344 |
| 14 | Birmingham | 1 | 0% | $88,470 |
| 15 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $114,283 |
| 16 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $103,790 |
| 17 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $94,037 |
| 18 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $106,356 |
| 19 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $97,116 |
| 20 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $128,944 |
Senior Technical Developer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior technical developer experts
Nova Southeastern University
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Nova Southeastern University
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
Texas A&M University San Antonio
Middle Georgia State University
Mount St. Joseph University
University of Richmond
Idaho State University
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Southeastern Louisiana University
University of Tulsa
University of Minnesota - Crookston
Gannon University
The University of Arizona
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
What Senior Technical Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sepehr Mohammadian: 1. This is a pretty broad question. CS degree graduates can engage in different tasks and responsibilities based on the nature of their profession. Examples include 1) software engineering, in which the individual's efforts are toward leading or contributing to software development projects, 2) IT management, where the individual mainly oversees technology strategies and their implementation, 3) cybersecurity, where the individual's responsibilities are associated with the protection of systems and data from cyber threats, and 4) data and AI engineering, where the individual works on machine learning applications and analyze and derive insights from large datasets.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
Dr. Sridhar Ramachandran: As a Computer Science graduate, it’s vital to work on independent projects outside of course projects or assigned tasks. This allows you to apply your knowledge and explore new areas and opportunities. Showcasing these projects in a digital portfolio provides a visual and tangible representation of your skills and growth. Emphasizing your attention to clean coding and documentation reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. The field is vast and rapidly evolving, so stay curious, keep learning, and enjoy your professional journey. Avoid getting caught up in fleeting trends. Understanding the difference between work, job, and career is crucial; find work and jobs that contribute to your long-term career aspirations while steadily maintaining your focus on your career goals. In addition, being aware of the organization’s environment and culture at the workplace you intend to work at is important. Familiarize yourself with workplace methodologies like Agile, Just-In-Time (JIT), DevOps, Scrum, Kanban, Lean, Feature-Driven Development (FDD), Extreme Programming (XP), Rapid Application Development (RAD), and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) (to name a few). Each organization will have its unique blend of these elements, and knowing what works best for you will help you thrive in your chosen career path. Remember, the key to success in this dynamic field is continuous learning and adaptation.
Junping Sun Ph.D.
ProfessorNova Southeastern University
Computer Software And Media Applications
What Senior Technical Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Junping Sun Ph.D.: Computer Science and its applications in various fields are very dynamic and constantly evolving, and anyone in the fields needs to prepare to be adaptive by lifelong learning.
What Senior Technical Developer 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 general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
Dr. Neil Eldin PhD, PE: Things don’t just happen. You must develop a career plan to maximize your salary potential when starting your career. Find the right employer for yourself. For example, if you are mobile and willing to travel, target employers with international projects. After working for a few years, you can request a transfer to an overseas assignment, and this will instantaneously almost double your salary. If you are not mobile and your circumstances do not allow your travel, seek employment with major corporations and seek positions that are done at the home office (e.g., estimating, procurement, and contracting).
What general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
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 Senior Technical Developer 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 Senior Technical Developers 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.
Mr. Mark Pranger
Instructor, School of Creative and Information TechnologiesOklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee
Mining And Petroleum Technologies/Technicians
What general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
Mr. Mark Pranger: The first skill would be one I mentioned up in the first question and that is your communication skills. Not only is it important now, but it will also remain important as time goes forward. A skill that many overlook is the ability to teach yourself. We are in a technical field that changes daily. I do countless interviews with students doing their internships and, on the way, out the door, I give the advice of being a lifelong learner. Be prepared to reinvent yourself in about 5 to 10 years. Our technology changes and is that demanding of us. Do not depend on your company to direct your self-learning. Your career is your responsibility. So, oversee your learning. The company may teach you new skills, but they will be skills they want you to have. It might take you far into the company but you still have to manage your career for your best results. My next piece of advice is to consider a non-technical advanced degree. Consider a business degree to complement your technical degree. As you move up in the organization, things like finance, management, and other business disciplines will increase in importance. You may end up managing a department or even the entire organization's technical future. You will need to understand how all those pieces of the business interact with each other and the related business environment. My last skill to suggest is the skill to maintain a work and life balance. If you put too much into work, you may wake up one day and ask yourself, is it worth it? When one spends all their time working to get ahead, when do they get time to be ahead and enjoy it?
What will help Senior Technical Developers increase their earning potential?
Mr. Mark Pranger: My first piece of advice a student graduating is to not wait until the last minute to do any networking in their field. If your college/university offers career fairs, start attending those as soon as possible. Start putting your name and associated face out there so when HR sees the name on the resume, they already know the face that goes with it. Put in the shoe leather or other sole material in early and often as possible. My second piece of advice is to target your cover letter, resume, and subsequent contacts such as interviews to the individual companies. Show them that you have taken the time to get to know the company. You may find common ground or may find that you are not a good match. Your time as well as their time is valuable, invest in well into finding the match for you that you can work at and feel rewarded. Make sure to clean up those resumes and other written communications before you send them. One simple grammar or spelling mistake could remove you from consideration in their very competitive world. Practice interviewing if at all possible. Go to any mock interviews your institution offers or clubs offer. If there is not any, ask those in the industry or management positions that you might know to mock interview you for the practice. Show respect for their time and be serious about the mock interview. Show up in person dressed like you are doing a real interview. Your entire interaction with a company and their representatives is your chance to create the narrative they will remember. In that narrative, you take them on the journey of getting to know you, finding out you are a good match to the company, and a good match to the position to which you are applying. The outcome you want is that job offer. One might notice my advice is not technical but more in the way you are looking for a position. Once you get into the position, the actual question that was asked here, start by absorbing anything they are willing to throw at you. Look for opportunities to show the company what you can do and what they can expect from you. Be mindful of your plate size and don't take on too much too early. They will remember two major things about your early days: That you tried and how you handled success and failure. Continue your networking at the job. Though we are in a technical field, we will interact with others not in our field. Our written and verbal communication skills will be put to the test. Nothing kills a great presentation idea more than bad communication skills. Never assume you are the best. Always work on the premise that someone is better and strive to become better. The education has given you the technical side of the coin. But it takes the non-technical side such as communication skills to showcase to others and your company your technical prowess. If you have not already, put together a portfolio of your work. Show the employers what you have done in the field. This includes what you did in school as projects. Having interacted with many hiring managers through advisory committees, one thing that keeps coming up is the creation of a portfolio. Those are not just for the artist, they are for anyone to show what they can do. Don't give up. The pile of rejection letters may become larger before that right position and company comes your way. You do have to search for it but it is out there.
What Senior Technical Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mr. Mark Pranger: The biggest advice here is to show the organization the long haul. It costs a lot of money to advertise, find, recruit, hire, and train employees in our field. The company wants to know their return on that investment will be higher. A large technical breadth versus a deep technical understanding is the balance you have to maintain. Many companies I deal with as an internship coordinator tell me that they can train the technical niche needs that they have but the student has to be able to show that they can learn and absorb that knowledge and put it to use. Going back to the portfolio, this gives someone looking at it insight into what extent you can learn, absorb, and produce. I personally am a true believer in the depth over breadth in the computer science programming field. While syntax changes from language to language, the concepts that we use to engineer our software remain the same. So Java does one activity different than C# or Ruby, that concept though will be important and the syntax can be picked up easier if you understand the concept. To me, a deeper understanding of one language and the ability to adapt quickly to another language is more important than having a little knowledge in a wide breadth of language but no depth. I have been in this field for 30 years now and probably know about half that number of languages that I have used over those 30 years. I didn't start with all those languages, but I did start with a very deep understanding of just one or two. I could spend my time quickly learning syntax to pick up a new language for a new position because I understood the concepts so well in my root language. Learn it deep, understand it deep and show you can transfer it across laterally. Put together that portfolio. The portfolio reinforces the narrative I discussed in the earlier question also.
MARLA KRAMER
Assistant Vice President of Marketing and CommunicationsWhat general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
MARLA KRAMER: Do the necessary course work from a reputed institution, where you can get the necessary hands-on experience under the tutelage of an established expert. Create a portfolio of your work on GitHub so that you can share your projects with potential employees. It is more important to demonstrate your skills through code, than it is to provide a list of classes that you have taken. Certification courses are expensive, but getting an accredited certificate in Mobile Application Development or any of the rapidly growing fields is always an advantage. The internet has a lot of uncurated, self-published, and incorrect information, especially when it comes to computer science. It is important that you pick your sources wisely as you build your skills.
What Senior Technical Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
MARLA KRAMER: Computer Science, and IS in general, is a field that is constantly evolving. It is not enough to know what everybody else knows. Becoming a subject matter expert with deep knowledge is important to be successful in the long run. You have to pick your area of expertise carefully, keep yourself focused and educated in that specific area, and be prepared for a career of continuous learning.
What will help Senior Technical Developers increase their earning potential?
MARLA KRAMER: It is unlikely that software development will be fully automated in the near future. Writing correct and efficient applications is a skill set that will only grow as we invent more ways to improve the quality of our lives. As more and more commerce and critical services migrate onto the internet, IS development will require a deeper knowledge of cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud computing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Information Security Analysis jobs are expected to grow by 32% over the next 10 years. The BLS estimates Software Developers, Quality Assurance and Testing will grow by 25% over the next decade.
Right now, however, software development is going through a lull because of competition from abroad. Being an expert in at least two popular programming languages, having a solid theoretical foundation, and being able to innovate is pivotal. Artificial Intelligence is being deployed to solve some problems now, thanks to the powerful computers we have today. Learning to effectively use AI frameworks as part of your application development will add a lot of value to your skillset.
Izzat Alsmadi
Associate ProfessorTexas A&M University San Antonio
Computer Science
What general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
Izzat Alsmadi: Computing fields are unique that they have a very large spectrum of possible jobs.
New graduates should be open and flexible to seek opportunities beyond a narrow focus that they may have in mind.
The degree itself is a great start but in most cases will not be enough and you have to seek own training in new software, tools, etc.
Certificates can be also important for some particular sub-disciplines (e.g. cyber security)
What Senior Technical Developer 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
What will help Senior Technical Developers increase their earning potential?
Izzat Alsmadi: The market is very large, make your deep analysis on top trending jobs, their pays and requirements, unlikely to have high paying jobs for fresh graduates with extra skills, certificates, etc.
Tina Ashford
Professor of Information Technology/Faculty Curator of the Museum of Technology/DoIT Internship CoordinatorMiddle Georgia State University
Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services
What general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
Tina Ashford: Technical expertise is crucial: cloud fluency, cybersecurity awareness, and understanding Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) potential, however, soft skills are equally important - clarity in communication, seamless collaboration, and an ever-growing appetite for learning to adapt to the ever-changing tech landscape. Even with AI on the scene, uniquely human problem-solving and fresh ideas will set you apart. This blend of technical and soft skill agility, and never-ending curiosity should bring you success in the field of IT.
What Senior Technical Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tina Ashford: Build relationships with professionals in your industry. This can lead to new opportunities and provide valuable insights. If you have multiple job offers, use them to negotiate a better deal. However, remember to consider factors like career growth and job satisfaction along with the salary. Keep improving your skills through courses, certifications, or volunteering. The more skilled you are, the higher your earning potential. Don't hesitate to seek advice from career coaches, mentors, or HR professionals. They can provide personalized guidance to help you navigate your career path. Remember, increasing your earnings is a continuous process, not a one-time event. By strategically investing in your skills and staying informed about your industry, you can confidently navigate and achieve a fulfilling and financially rewarding career.
What will help Senior Technical Developers increase their earning potential?
Tina Ashford: My first piece of advice is to embrace lifelong learning. Tech never sleeps, so neither should your curiosity. View mistakes as growth opportunities, and stay a student forever. Next, optimize your communication and teamwork skills to bridge the gap between techies and everyone else. Critical thinking is your secret sauce, so use it to solve problems creatively and anticipate the future. Finally, specialization is great, but keep an open mind. A broader skillset makes you adaptable, ready to seize unexpected opportunities. Network actively, build relationships, and most importantly, stay passionate. Let your tech enthusiasm fuel your career.
Rebecca Allen
Mount St. Joseph University
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
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.
What Senior Technical Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rebecca Allen: Get hands-on experience. Join the workstudy program, take the co-op or the internship. Be sure to apply what you've learned!
What will help Senior Technical Developers increase their earning potential?
Rebecca Allen: I'd suggest that you hop in to coding and just get started. Even a tiny bit helps. Python is a very popular language, and free to download (Python.org). Once you download, there are some many ways to start learning coding. My personal favorites are Mimo and LearnPython.org. You can also ask ChatGPT for suggestions-remember that ChatGPT can often help your write and explain simple code. Don't understand something? Ask ChatGPT!
Ahmed Temani
Senior InstructorUniversity of Richmond
Computer/Information Technology Administration And Management
What general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
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 Senior Technical Developer 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 will help Senior Technical Developers increase their earning potential?
Ahmed Temani: As an early career developer, you will likely rotate among different software products and teams. Even if the work is not your current skill set, the new challenges will build new skills and allow you to make more connections within the company.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
Nikyra Capson: I encourage my students to take advantage of opportunities now-don't wait. Idaho State University has a program called Career Pathway Internships (CPI), which allows students to graduate with 2-3 years of work experience in their field. Seeking out these kinds of opportunities while in school will help them obtain a job after graduation. I also encourage my students to connect with their classmates and build solid relationships with the people around them. These relationships can help them in the future.
What Senior Technical Developer 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.
What will help Senior Technical Developers increase their earning potential?
Nikyra Capson: Understanding artificial intelligence and developing technology are essential skills for students to have so they're prepared for the future. Software is constantly updating, so designers need to be able to evolve with it and be constantly learning.
Travis Stouffer
Assistant Professor of Information Systems, ChairUniversity of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Department of Information Systems
What general advice would you give to a Senior Technical Developer?
Travis Stouffer: Operate with a high-level of attention to detail. Superiors always appreciate a new or old employee who is self-sufficient and doesn’t need their hand to be held. Secondly, do everything you can to support the development process. You want to be seen a key cog in the development process, even if you are not writing code. You want to be the person with answers. Research APIs to use as datasources, write detailed requirements, support those requirements with detailed wireframes and mockups which blueprint the end-state of the application, test coded features and lastly just volunteer to do anything that will lighten the burden on the programmers of the team. Doing these things will also position you with a well-rounded experience that will help you ascend to project management type roles.
What Senior Technical Developer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Travis Stouffer: Agile Project Management and Rapid Prototyping will continue to be critical in reducing the amount of rework that development teams face. If either of these two aren’t done well, software projects will continue to experience high levels of failure. Even if developers are leveraging artificial intelligence to write code more efficiently, business analysts acting as liaisons will still need to utilize practices to ensure AI tools are helping to construct applications that align with the goals and objectives of its users.
What will help Senior Technical Developers increase their earning potential?
Travis Stouffer: As a graduate entering the workforce, look for employers that will foster a continuous learning environment and mentorship to help build upon what you’ve learned at the undergraduate level.
Dr. Ghanssan Alkadi Ph.D.
Professor of Computer ScienceSoutheastern Louisiana University
Department of Computer Science
What skills stand out on Senior Technical Developer resumes?
Dr. Ghanssan Alkadi Ph.D.: Working on Software projects that involve team communication, Agile Process, and working with either the MERN, MEAN, or .Net stacks.
What soft skills should all Senior Technical Developers possess?
Dr. Ghanssan Alkadi Ph.D.: The most important soft skills are how to elicit requirements from clients and how to present the developed software to non-Information technology professionals.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Technical Developers?
Dr. Ghanssan Alkadi Ph.D.: Analytical and programming skills to solve problems at hand.
What skills will help Senior Technical Developers earn the most?
Dr. Ghanssan Alkadi Ph.D.: Web and Mobile App development will help you earn the most.
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.
Associate Professor of CIS, J. Bradley Oxley Professor of Computer Information SystemsUniversity of Tulsa
School of Accounting and CIS at the Collins College of Business
What skills stand out on Senior Technical Developer resumes?
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.: We constantly work with employers that recruit our students, and for the past several years, there has been an almost insatiable need for workers with skills in data analytics & visualization, agile software development, cloud system architecture and administration, and cyber security.
What soft skills should all Senior Technical Developers possess?
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.: All the soft skills are important, but a few are absolutely critical in today's hybrid workforce. With the uncertainty of COVID delaying the return to the office, many companies are embracing hybrid work and/or 100% remote for some or all of their employees. Today's employees must be able to effectively communicate over a range of different modalities, both synchronously and asynchronously, while still being able to actively build and maintain relationships as they participate in one or more teams of coworkers, customers, and other stakeholders. Today's IT workers need to be honest with themselves on the work environments they can and cannot succeed within.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Technical Developers?
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.: Students graduating with Information Systems and related degrees usually have little problem finding employment upon graduation. However, the pandemic upended that paradigm for some. For those who recently graduated and are still looking for employment, keep the faith and develop your technical skills. Developers should show prospective employers that they are familiar with agile programming methodologies and modern DevOps stacks and processes. Data analysts should be focused on presenting their ability to work with structured and unstructured data, effectively query data using SQL & NoSQL, and, most importantly, provide actionable insight by making data accessible and relatable to decision-makers at all levels of an organization. Those interested in cloud architecture and cyber security careers have to keep current on their skills and certifications. Cloud engineers need to stay aware of the constant changes happening at the major providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) and, as with all other IT fields, provide tangible evidence of your skills via real projects that you have worked on. Prospective cyber security analysts should first focus on identifying their first specialization because there are too many security roles to learn them all at once, especially as beginners. Two popular entry-level cyber security jobs include information security consultant and Security Operations Center (SOC). Both of these roles require a sound foundation in networking fundamentals, vulnerability identification and mitigation, and an understanding of organizationally relevant security and privacy frameworks and regulations.
What skills will help Senior Technical Developers earn the most?
Sal Aurigemma Ph.D.: Each of the areas and skills mentioned above is important. The way to earn the most in any of the varied specialties in IT depends on having the right blend of technical and soft skills for a particular employer and, frankly, being the right person at the right time for the right employer. That sounds ambiguous, but the point is that those looking for IT work need to research which companies, locations, and specific jobs pay the most with open positions that match their skillset. And, if you find that dream job with the dream pay but you don't have the requisite skills, there are plenty of opportunities to show a potential employer that you are willing to learn the skills to succeed in that position.
Christine Bakke
LecturerUniversity of Minnesota - Crookston
Math, Science & Technology Department
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Technical Developers?
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. "
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Technical Developer 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 Technical Developers?
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).
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Senior Technical Developers 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 Technical Developers 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 certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Technical Developers?
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?
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Technical Developer 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.
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Technical Developers?
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 Technical Developers?
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 Technical Developer?
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 Technical Developers 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