What Does a Software Developer Do?

Q: Is being a software developer a good job?

Yes, being a software developer is a good job. Software developers are rewarded with various projects, a flexible work schedule, plenty of opportunities to grow, and good pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports software developers are projected to grow 22% through 2029.

A software developer is responsible for designing application systems to support the user and business' needs. Duties of a software developer include testing software codes, performing diagnostic programs and troubleshooting, interpreting system data and establishing efficient parameters, and ensuring the compatibility of the systems. A software developer must have an excellent knowledge of computer programs and programming languages to understand its complexities, especially on detecting system defects and malfunctions. A software developer must have strong attention to detail, communication, and decision-making skills to coordinate with the team and also work independently under minimal supervision.

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Software Developer Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real software developer resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

Restructure the project code in repository and use maven to manage project dependencies.
Used JIRA to manage and track the issues report by QA and prioritize and take action base on the severity.
Develop the front-end web page by using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, taking advantage of the frameworks Angular.JS.
Lead team and develop UNIX administrative and maintenance development tasks, supporting customer requirements.
Configure custom PL/SQL database to manage new database objects including triggers, user-define functions and store procedures.
Implement a centralize configuration system for managing application settings, consisting of a desktop application with a WCF backend.
Design and develop a web application using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript with emphasis on device portability and readability.
Used HTML, CSS, and Java script to develop and implement a user-friendly UI design for the presentation layer.
Perform peer code reviews using JIRA, analyze and merge pull requests using git, and used Jenkins for continuous integration.
Experience in JavaScript frameworks like JQUERY.
Used JavaScript extensively to enhance the UI and to make application looks more dynamic and to perform client side validations.
Design, develop and test GUI and test code for MK54 torpedo hardware and software upgrades using C++ and LabWindows.
Implement agile scrum methodology in application development.
Develop and execute various database queries from python using Python-MySQL connector and MySQL database package.
Used AngularJS to decouple DOM manipulation from application logic.

Software Developer Job Description

Between the years 2018 and 2028, software developer jobs are expected to undergo a growth rate described as "much faster than average" at 21%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. So if the thought "should I become a software developer?" Has crossed your mind, maybe you should take the growth rate into account. In addition, the number of software developer opportunities that are projected to become available by 2028 is 284,100.

Software developers average about $42.08 an hour, which makes the software developer annual salary $87,521. Additionally, software developers are known to earn anywhere from $67,000 to $113,000 a year. This means that the top-earning software developers make $49,000 more than the lowest earning ones.

It's hard work to become a software developer, but even the most dedicated employees consider switching careers from time to time. Whether you're interested in a more challenging position or just looking for a fresh start, we've compiled extensive information on becoming a mobile applications developer, web application developer, applications developer, and net developer.

Learn More About Software Developer Job Descriptions

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12 Software Developer Resume Examples

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Beverly Jones Software Developer Contact Information Boynton Beach, FL (420) 555-9364 bjones@example.com Skills ETL FDA Web Services Configuration Management Cobol Online Data Analysis Database Powerpoint Workflow Employment History Software Developer 2019 - Present Motorola Solutions Boynton Beach, FL Developed Oracle Workflow with I Expenses to automatically route expense reports for approval, and enforce reimbursement policies. Utilized UNIX workstations, VAX transmission data entry, CICS/MVS Data transmission and CICS/VSAM databases. Completed the first PHP TraceSM tool for trace management in the department. Participated in system-level document and code reviews. SQL Developer 2018 - 2019 Verizon Tampa, FL Designed and wrote back end code to implements business rules, business events using Oracle SOA Suite and web services. Developed and maintain a dynamic database driven web sites. Created ETL test data for all ETL mapping rules to test the functionality of the Mappings. Quality Assurance Internship 2017 - 2018 Food Lion Durham, NC Worked on the fabrication floor in conjunction with the USDA to ensure that strict quality control standards were met. Received appreciation feedback from product owner, scrum master & QA head. Attend the Scrum backlog and grooming sessions. Proofread, documented, and edited website meta-data during testing windows. Education Bachelor's Degree Computer Science 2014 - 2017 Pennsylvania State University Main, PA


Denise Morris Software Developer Contact Info Chicago, IL (830) 555-9129 dmorris@example.com Skills Sequence DiagramsGITJSPQTPPHPHardwareServletsXMLJstlTestng Employment History Software Developer 2020 - Present JPMorgan Chase Chicago, IL Define new Entitlement API to support permissions for new document type. Use Git and SVN as versioning tool. Used free JQuery third party tools like JQueryUI to create pop ups. Involved in the daily scrum and other agile meetings. Implemented the validation framework using JavaScript to extend client side as well as server side validation. J2ee Developer 2019 - 2020 Infosys Public Services Chicago, IL Worked on Java scripting in developing front end. Used JSPs, HTML, Java Script, and CSS for development of the web pages. Used XML based Web Services using SOAP/WSDL for common interface across all internal and external application and users. Involved in User Interface development using HTML and javascript. Software Tester 2018 - 2019 Infosys Public Services Chicago, IL Analyzed and documented the Software specifications for both the client-facing and internal windows and web applications. Execute the test sets, find out and report the bugs in bug tracking tool Jira for the client. Hand held devices and Windows thin clients can connect to remote servers using Remote Desktop Protocol. Ensured the proper localization of user interface and help files. Education Bachelor's Degree Computer Science 2015 - 2018 DeVry University Oakbrook Terrace, IL


Willie Mcdonald Software Developer San Jose, CA (670) 555-6283 wmcdonald@example.com Experience Software Developer2019 - Present HP•San Jose, CA Designed and developed newsletters to be distributed via email for internal customer base in HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Used LINQ to XML Interact/Co-ordinate work with offshore development team. Promoted to Analyst after five months with added responsibility for Materials Management Systems. Used Linux kernel version 2.6.32 and Intel dual core processor. Provided pre- & post-sales software support & consulting Implemented custom real-time data acquisition applications & device drivers Junior Java Developer2018 - 2019 IBM•San Jose, CA Involved in the Transport collection activity for moving the objects from Dev to QA system. Configured Struts-config.xml with all the mappings required by the architecture. Worked with the QA team in testing in the application. Computer Programmer2015 - 2018 IBM•San Jose, CA Developed the web services client for IBM Data Power SOA Integration, and implemented stored procedures and message queues. Distributed OS/2 LAN based host automation product written in C utilizing OS/2 Presentation, Database and Communications Manager APIs. Designed/developed multi-threaded GUI applications to support system administration and SQL database transactions incorporating extensive system configuration and user-security. Provided maintenance support, documentation, specifications and procedures. Contributed to design and development of client and server database applications. Installed and configured IBM DB2 v4 Database. Skills TomcatCicsJCLDatabaseJavascriptApplication ServerTroubleshootCSSWeb ServicesCompany Website Education Bachelor's Degree Computer Engineering2012 - 2015 San Jose State University•San Jose, CA

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Software Developer Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 11% of Software Developers are proficient in Java, Python, and C++. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

We break down the percentage of Software Developers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

Java, 11%
Developed well structured, optimized and modular code in Java using NetBeans to meet operational requirements and standards.
Python, 9%
Conceptualized and implemented Order Life-cycle Management, a system to assign and regulate order-states to the order-items using Python.
C++, 7%
Developed a voice-over-internet distributed call processing system using a prototype version of C++ in their experimental distributed objects laboratory.
Software Development, 6%
Performed requirements analysis, system design and specification, and led software development team to ensure resulting application met stated objectives.
JavaScript, 5%
Implemented various Validation Controls for form validation and implemented custom validation controls with JavaScript validation controls.
Database, 5%
Assisted in writing the specification documentation, designed the database schema, defined business objects and security practices.

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Most software developers list "java," "python," and "c++" as skills on their resumes. We go into more details on the most important software developer responsibilities here:

The most important skills for a software developer to have in this position are analytical skills. In this excerpt that we gathered from a software developer resume, you'll understand why: "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." According to resumes we found, analytical skills can be used by a software developer in order to "performed etl development utilizing scrum methodology for data transformation processes. "

Another commonly found skill for being able to perform software developer duties is the following: communication skills. According to a software developer resume, "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Check out this example of how software developers use communication skills: "improved teamwork in a devops style, used scrum, improved php, and improved in project communication. "

Another skill that is quite popular among software developers is creativity. This skill is very critical to fulfilling every day responsibilities as is shown in this example from a software developer resume: "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "architected and implemented php and java backend for order management and inventory feeds. "

A software developer responsibilities sometimes require "detail oriented." The responsibilities that rely on this skills are shown by this resume excerpt: "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." This resume example shows how this skill is used by software developers: "developed conceptual and technical design including use of object-oriented techniques as a scrum master. "

Another common skill for a software developer to be able to utilize is "interpersonal skills." Software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software. A software developer demonstrated the need for this skill by putting this on their resume: "developed strong interpersonal and communication skills woking with a team of back end and front end website developers. "

Lastly, this career requires you to be skillful in "problem-solving skills." According to software developer resumes, "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." This resume example highlights how software developer responsibilities rely on this skill: "resolved assigned production issues using scrum / agile methodologies through each sprint. "

See the full list of software developer skills.

After discovering the most helpful skills, we moved onto what kind of education might be helpful in becoming a software developer. We found that 71.6% of software developers have graduated with a bachelor's degree and 19.5% of people in this position have earned their master's degrees. While most software developers have a college degree, you may find it's also true that generally it's impossible to be successful in this career with only a high school degree. In fact, our research shows that one out of every nine software developers were not college graduates.

Those software developers who do attend college, typically earn either computer science degrees or computer engineering degrees. Less commonly earned degrees for software developers include electrical engineering degrees or information technology degrees.

Once you've obtained the level of education you're comfortable with, you might start applying to companies to become a software developer. We've found that most software developer resumes include experience from Oracle, General Dynamics, and General Dynamics Mission Systems. Of recent, Oracle had 3,219 positions open for software developers. Meanwhile, there are 722 job openings at General Dynamics and 598 at General Dynamics Mission Systems.

But if you're interested in companies where you might earn a high salary, software developers tend to earn the biggest salaries at The Citadel, Meta, and Nuxeo. Take The Citadel for example. The median software developer salary is $146,422. At Meta, software developers earn an average of $142,376, while the average at Nuxeo is $137,336. You should take into consideration how difficult it might be to secure a job with one of these companies.

View more details on software developer salaries across the United States.

Some other companies you might be interested in as a software developer include IBM, Lockheed Martin, and Cisco. These three companies were found to hire the most software developers from the top 100 U.S. educational institutions.

In general, software developers fulfill roles in the technology and professional industries. While employment numbers are high in those industries, the software developer annual salary is the highest in the finance industry with $96,138 as the average salary. Meanwhile, the technology and professional industries pay $93,297 and $89,302 respectively. This means that software developers who are employed in the finance industry make 8.3% more than software developers who work in the telecommunication Industry.

The three companies that hire the most prestigious software developers are:

Oracle3,219 Software Developers Jobs
General Dynamics722 Software Developers Jobs
General Dynamics Mission Systems598 Software Developers Jobs

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What Mobile Applications Developers Do

A mobile application developer is responsible for designing programming applications for mobile devices according to clients' specifications and business demands. Mobile application developers must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as computer system commands to develop efficient scripts and smooth navigation of operating systems. They analyze the clients' needs and recommend application solutions within their budget limitations and timeframe. A mobile application developer identifies inconsistencies and glitches with the output before submission to ensure its stability and optimal performance.

In this section, we compare the average software developer annual salary with that of a mobile applications developer. Typically, mobile applications developers earn a $11,736 higher salary than software developers earn annually.

While the salaries between these two careers can be different, they do share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both software developers and mobile applications developers positions are skilled in java, c++, and javascript.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. A software developer responsibility is more likely to require skills like "python," "software development," "database," and "c # .net." Whereas a mobile applications developer requires skills like "c #," "objective-c," "xcode," and "ios applications." Just by understanding these different skills you can see how different these careers are.

Mobile applications developers really shine in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $107,574. Whereas software developers tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $96,138.

Mobile applications developers tend to reach similar levels of education than software developers. In fact, mobile applications developers are 4.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

What Are The Duties Of a Web Application Developer?

A web application developer is responsible for designing website and system applications following clients' specifications and business' needs. Web application developers utilize their expertise in programming languages and system codes, ensuring the efficiency and smooth navigation of the website. They also run multiple diagnostic tests on the output before release, identifying inconsistencies, and addressing incompatibilities on browsers and devices. A web application developer should be detail-oriented and highly-technical as this job requires excellent digital knowledge to manage complex systems.

Next up, we have the web application developer profession to look over. This career brings along a lower average salary when compared to a software developer annual salary. In fact, web application developers salary difference is $1,681 lower than the salary of software developers per year.

While the salary may be different for these job positions, there is one similarity and that's a few of the skills needed to perform certain duties. We used info from lots of resumes to find that both software developers and web application developers are known to have skills such as "java," "python," and "javascript. "

But both careers also use different skills, according to real software developer resumes. While software developer responsibilities can utilize skills like "c++," "software development," "confluence," and "tcp ip," some web application developers use skills like "windows," "http," "wordpress," and "content management system."

Web application developers may earn a lower salary than software developers, but web application developers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $88,928. On the other side of things, software developers receive higher paychecks in the finance industry where they earn an average of $96,138.

When it comes to the differences in education between the two professions, web application developers tend to reach similar levels of education than software developers. In fact, they're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What Technology Do You Think Will Become More Important And Prevalent For Software Developers In The Next 3-5 Years?

Dr. Phoebe McLaughlin

Professor of Statistics & Mathematics Assistant Chair of Mathematics Programs Actuarial Science and Statistics Program Coordinator, University of Central Missouri

It seems like more employers will start looking away from expensive programs like SAS and transition towards free, open-source programs like R. The SOA is already starting to do this with their PA exam, we expect employers are going to follow.

How an Applications Developer Compares

An application developer is responsible for creating program applications for devices based on clients' specifications and business needs. Application developers must have excellent knowledge of computer systems, as well as a strong command of programming languages to develop customized programs. Duties of an application developer also include running diagnostic tests to ensure the application's performance and stability, providing instruction manuals for reference, performing troubleshooting for any inconsistencies, upgrading design codes for optimization, and launching the application following the client's timetable.

The applications developer profession generally makes a higher amount of money when compared to the average salary of software developers. The difference in salaries is applications developers making $1,684 higher than software developers.

By looking over several software developers and applications developers resumes, we found that both roles utilize similar skills, such as "java," "c++," and "javascript." But beyond that the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from software developer resumes include skills like "python," "software development," "confluence," and "tcp ip," whereas an applications developer might be skilled in "sql server," "good communication," "power bi," and "post implementation. "

Interestingly enough, applications developers earn the most pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $103,905. As mentioned previously, software developers highest annual salary comes from the finance industry with an average salary of $96,138.

Applications developers are known to earn similar educational levels when compared to software developers. Additionally, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Description Of a NET Developer

A NET developer specializes in crafting and producing various software and information systems through extensive computer and information technology knowledge. A NET developer's responsibilities range from designing and developing applications, generating codes and building a secure database, implementing regulations, and providing continuous support and maintenance. A NET developer must also have an active line of communication and coordination as there are instances when one's work revolves in a team setting or meets particular demands or specifications from a client.

Now, we'll look at net developers, who generally average a higher pay when compared to software developers annual salary. In fact, the difference is about $1,463 per year.

While both software developers and net developers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like java, javascript, and database, the two careers also vary in other skills.

While some skills are shared by these professions, there are some differences to note. "python," "c++," "software development," and "git" are skills that have shown up on software developers resumes. Additionally, net developer uses skills like sql server, net framework, xml web, and architecture on their resumes.

In general, net developers make a higher salary in the retail industry with an average of $94,650. The highest software developer annual salary stems from the finance industry.

In general, net developers reach similar levels of education when compared to software developers resumes. Net developers are 0.9% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

What a Software Developer Does FAQs

Can Software Engineers Work From Home?

Yes, software engineers can work from home. The normal requirements for a software engineer to work are an internet connection, a sufficiently fast computer, and a quiet area to focus. This means that working from home is an option for most software engineers. However, some people find it hard to focus at home due to family, insufficient space to work, or the lack of feeling of oversight. So, while working from home is an option, it might not be the best option for every engineer.

Before the pandemic, software engineers were one of the few professionals that were already working from home. For the above mentioned reasons, software engineers can have flexible work schedules where they work for part of the day at home and part of the day at the office. In fact, surveys have shown that over 30% of software engineers were already working from home part time.

How To Become A Software Developer Without A Degree

To become a software developer without a degree, you can either be self-taught or have attended a coding boot camp.

If you are self-taught, you must invest in the specific programs used in software development, such as GitHub, the world's leading software development platform. Other programs include Atom, Git, IntelliJ IDEA, and ESLint.

How To Get A Job As A Software Developer.

You must get a relevant degree, be self-taught or attend a coding boot camp, and exhibit the skills and knowledge it takes to do the job in order to get a job as a software developer.

Traditionally, most software developers attend college and obtain degrees in software engineering, computer science, or other related areas. However, this is starting to shift to some getting the necessary skills and knowledge from alternative routes.

Is Being A Software Developer A Good Job?

Yes, being a software developer is a good job. Software developers are rewarded with various projects, a flexible work schedule, plenty of opportunities to grow, and good pay. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports software developers are projected to grow 22% through 2029.

What Are The Qualifications To Be A Software Developer?

The qualifications to be a software developer vary depending on the job. It's helpful to have a Bachelor's of Information Technology or Computer Science to qualify for jobs as a software developer.

What Is A Development Environment?

A development environment is a workspace environment in software development and web development in which developers can use different procedures and tools for the development, creation, testing, and debugging of a software program or website.

What Is The Difference Between A Software Developer And A Software Engineer?

The difference between software developers and software engineers is that software engineers generally work on projects larger in scale and are able to handle the complete architecture of a project.

Computer Programmer Vs. Software Developer

A computer programmer is a tech professional that writes code and creates apps, while a software developer is the designer behind the app.

A computer programmer spends most of their time creating and testing new code, fixing glitches, and streamlining code to simplify the writing and reduce the chance of errors. They will use a variety of programming languages and test for errors to make sure that the code functions properly and the apps or software are running as expected.

Software Developer Vs. Programmer

A software developer uses code to modify, write, or debug software for end-customer use, while a programmer is a technician who specializes in code.

A software developer is a professional who writes, manages, and debugs the code in computer programs. They typically specialize in a specific type of coding language and manage other tasks related to software creation, modification, and management. They have a more holistic view of software and are involved in the full cycle of development.

Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.

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Updated October 2, 2020