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Job outlook for software directors in the United States
Software director job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected software director job growth rate is 21% from 2018-2028.
About 284,100 new jobs for software directors are projected over the next decade.
Software director salaries have increased 10% for software directors in the last 5 years.
There are over 8,040 software directors currently employed in the United States.
There are 207,295 active software director job openings in the US.
The average software director salary is $150,380.
Are software director jobs in demand?
Software director job and salary trends over time
Software director jobs over time
Software director job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,040 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 10,861 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 10,497 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 9,454 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 8,861 | 0.00% |
Average software director salary over time
Software director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $150,380 | $72.30 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $145,425 | $69.92 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $142,133 | $68.33 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $139,622 | $67.13 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $137,277 | $66.00 | +1.9% |
Software director jobs by state
Most common states for software directors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 590 | 85% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 3,414 | 46% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 368 | 38% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 329 | 38% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 223 | 36% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 357 | 34% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 990 | 32% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,588 | 31% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,151 | 31% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,262 | 30% |
| 11 | California | 39,536,653 | 11,363 | 29% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,528 | 27% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,532 | 25% |
| 14 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 443 | 24% |
| 15 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,094 | 22% |
| 16 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,049 | 21% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 279 | 21% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 120 | 21% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 215 | 20% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 676 | 19% |
Most common cities for software directors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $126,137 |
| 2 | Juneau | 1 | 3% | $159,405 |
| 3 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $126,526 |
| 4 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $114,233 |
| 5 | Palo Alto | 1 | 1% | $199,164 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | 1 | 1% | $198,921 |
| 7 | Springfield | 1 | 1% | $106,585 |
| 8 | Tallahassee | 1 | 1% | $96,015 |
| 9 | Anaheim | 1 | 0% | $184,544 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $109,041 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $108,534 |
| 12 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $106,128 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $121,180 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $186,503 |
| 15 | Montgomery | 1 | 0% | $98,203 |
| 16 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $134,452 |
| 17 | Sacramento | 1 | 0% | $197,238 |
| 18 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $199,458 |
Software Director job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of software director experts
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Gannon University
Eastern Washington University
Allegheny College
Saint Xavier University
Taylor University
John Brown University
Rider University
Union University
Defiance College
Seminole State College of Florida
Harding University
Travis Mandel Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Hawaii at Hilo
Department of Computer Science
What skills will help Software Directors earn the most?
Travis Mandel Ph.D.: Solid foundational skills in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Even if you are not an AI researcher or machine learning engineer, with AI becoming so pervasive, chances are your code will have to interact with it at some point. Although listing many of the latest technologies (Tensorflow/Keras, Pytorch) looks great on a resume, what is even more valuable is a solid grasp of the fundamentals that transcend specific libraries. Employers will be impressed by someone who can analyze large data sets in languages like Python, communicate effectively with the machine learning teams, and identify new potential ways to integrate machine learning into the product. This is a highly in-demand skillset that can easily help unlock higher-paying positions.
How do you envision technology impacting Software Directors 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.
Christian Hansen Ph.D.
Professor and Department ChairEastern Washington University
Department of Mathematics
What's a day at work look like for a Software Director?
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.
Oliver Bonham-Carter Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorAllegheny College
Department of Computer Science and Affiliated Faculty in Integrative Informatics
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Software Director job market given the pandemic?
Oliver Bonham-Carter Ph.D.: Pandemic has accelerated social connectivity trends using technology, including technology for remote work, and e-learning, and technology to make e-commerce more comfortable and faster. I foresee these accelerated technology trends to continue, even after the pandemic, and therefore job markets in these areas to continue to grow. Another big surge we have seen is in data analytics, which has been increasing over the last decade, and COVID-19 has spotlighted this field. I expect data analyst jobs to continue to be in demand and to grow. Also, the pandemic showed us the interconnectedness of technology with other areas. As the need to develop better solutions to fight various diseases heightens, for example, I expect jobs in biotech to grow.
What are the best companies to work for a Software Director?
James Vanderhyde: The best companies to work for are companies that respect you as a person and not just a cog in the machine. They are inclusive, and they recognize and appreciate diversity. They have a track record of handling sick leave and family leave as needed. They will not expect you to eat dinner in your office and then go back to work after an already long day. All software companies experience crunch times around release dates, but the best companies do not experience constant crunch. That is a sign of poor management. The best companies will give you challenging problems to work on and reward innovation.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Software Directors in the next 5 years?
James Vanderhyde: There has been a steady increase in software and IT jobs for the last 20 years, and this is not going to slow down any time soon. In the next 5 years, demand will increase, particularly in software development and cybersecurity. The technology field changes so quickly that beyond 5 years, it is difficult to make predictions. That is why we thoroughly prepare our computer science and information systems students for technology changes and career shifts to discover the best in themselves and to be prepared to meet the demand and excel within the field.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Software Directors to find work opportunities?
James Vanderhyde: Any big city will have lots of opportunities for computing, software, and IT work. Silicon Valley and the rest of the west coast are the most famous, but innovation is happening everywhere around the country and around the world, including here in Chicago. Chicago tech companies have hired our students upon graduation, and likewise, our graduates have found success and gratification in the field.
Dr. Jonathan Geisler
Associate ProfessorTaylor University
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Software Directors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Jonathan Geisler: There will be a continued increase in demand for computer engineering
graduates as computers become more heavily integrated into the fabric
of our lives. Things like self-driving cars, the Internet of Things, and
mobile computing will become more commonplace and increase the demand for engineering talent; the long-term trend of using smartphones and web-based applications will not slow, leading to an increase in the
demand for computing talent.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Software Directors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Ted Junseok Song: Due to COVID-19, people have more choices on location as more companies allow their employees to work remotely.
How do you envision technology impacting Software Directors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Ted Junseok Song: The question is not whether technology will advance or not. It is, rather, how it will advance. Professionals in the industry need to be equipped to see the customers' demand and where our society is headed. I would recommend college students to be interested in broad topics apart from topics in their major. Well-rounded people will have more opportunities to impact the future.
Dr. Howard Rees
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Information SystemsRider University
Information systems
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Software Directors?
Dr. Howard Rees: We're moving into a volatile time for the economy, and planning for an uncertain future is what big companies are concerned with. In many ways, the pandemic and concerns over future pandemics that we now know can be globally devastating will be a boon for CS and IT graduates. Face to face business interactions and transactions will be dramatically reduced, both in the short term and in the long run, as there will be a need to hedge against future pandemics. Everything changes from production and operations to supply chain and risk management and diversification to the nature of "office work." And all of that must be underpinned by computer technology: communications, security, data analytics. These are trends that have been developing for the past few decades but the pandemic will accelerate them, and that's all useful, if you're a CS or IT graduate with a broad base of knowledge, which provides you the freedom to adapt.
What general advice would you give to a Software Director?
Brian Glas: Build relationships: Different technologies will interest and challenge you, but throughout your career, you'll find that it's the relationships that are the most important. This is harder to grasp earlier in your career, but much easier to understand after 15-20 years.
Gain different perspectives: Spend time with people in other roles that your job interacts with, and gain a solid understanding of how they view things; this is most valuable for career progression and understanding of how your work fits into the big picture.
What general advice would you give to a Software Director?
Aaron Napierala: The most important advice I can offer, is to let them know to work toward something they are passionate about. Many people have the impression that CS is all about programming. While programming can, and does, deal with programming, an education in CS lays the foundation for students to work with technology, whatever that might be. If students are not passionate about what they are doing, I believe students would be hard-pressed to achieve their true potential. If you have a solid foundation, but nothing to build on top of that, where are you? This is why I always recommend students explore other areas, outside of CS, that they are excited to learn more about, to complement their technical knowledge. If students can't relate to people outside of their discipline, I think they will be limited on what they can do and ultimately not satisfied.
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.
Professor/Program ManagerSeminole State College of Florida
Center for Information Technology
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Software Directors in the next 3-5 years?
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.: Understanding cloud technologies such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google are needed. Since many organizations have a hybrid structure, where they have internal and external cloud technologies, learning how to integrate them with existing technologies is critical.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Software Directors?
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.: Many I.T. employees already have the option to work remotely (telecommute), but this will become even more important with the Coronavirus challenges. Employees must be able to work remotely and be organized and self-directed. Employers are looking for teleworkers that can work on a task from anywhere.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Software Directors?
Frank McCown Ph.D.: Many companies have changed their hiring practices. It's not unusual for a new graduate to jump straight into remote work. I predict the move from in-person work to remote work is only going to accelerate as we get more comfortable with it. Once the pandemic dies down, and economic uncertainties start to go away, companies that had been on hiring freezes will likely jump back in, creating a strong market for graduates.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Software Directors in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.: Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.