Software Developer
Software Developers
SOC 15-1252
How Much Does a Software Developer Make?
The national median salary for a Software Developer is $133,080 per year ($63.98/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).
That's 103% above the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.
How to Become a Software Developer
No license required; tech certifications optional
Software Developer Job Outlook
Much faster than avg — the BLS projects 14% growth from 2024 to 2034.
That's significantly faster than the average across all occupations (4%).
About 140,100 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.
Digital transformation; AI development; app economy
What It's Like to Work as a Software Developer
This is primarily desk-based or low-physical-effort work.
Many positions can be performed remotely, making this a strong option for location-independent work.
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Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.
View on BLS.gov