How to Become a Computer Programmer
Write, modify, and test the code that makes applications run, turning specifications into working software. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $100,390 per year and declining projected job growth.
Median pay
$100,390/yr
Middle half
$75,850 to $130,680
Job growth
Declining
Openings / yr
5,500
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Programming
- Debugging
- Testing
- Reading Comprehension
- Problem Solving
Helpful certifications
- Language/platform certifications (e.g., Oracle Java, Microsoft)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
61/100
Work-life balance
61/100
Stress level
48/100
Related careers
- Computer and Information Research Scientist$140,300 median
- Database Architect$139,500 median
- Computer Network Architect$134,050 median
- Computer Systems Analyst$105,850 median
- Video Game Designer$104,000 median
- Network Support Specialist$76,220 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Computer Programmer make?
The median pay for a Computer Programmer is $100,390 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $75,850 and $130,680 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Computer Programmer?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Information Technology.
Is Computer Programmer a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is declining (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 5,500 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Computer Programmer use most?
Common skills for this role are Programming, Debugging, Testing, Reading Comprehension, and Problem Solving.
Planning to become a Computer Programmer?
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).