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Information technology / federal career guide

SOC 15-1252

Software Developers career data

Wages, employment, skills, and education-program connections for community-college planning.

Median annual wage
$135,980
National OEWS, May 2025
National employment
1,687,890
Estimated jobs, not projected openings
10th–90th percentile
$82,460–$214,670
National annual wage range
Mapped program classes
20
Official CIP–SOC crosswalk records

Occupation definition

What this occupation covers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

Decision prompt

What durable technical and project evidence will distinguish completers from short-course participants?

Curriculum evidence

High-importance O*NET® skills

Importance scores are normalized to a 0–100 planning scale from the active O*NET® database importance records.

Programming

80/100

Writing computer programs for various purposes.

Critical Thinking

78/100

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making

72/100

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Reading Comprehension

70/100

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Active Learning

70/100

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

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Knowledge

Knowledge areas to review

  • Computers and Electronics95
  • Mathematics71
  • Customer and Personal Service71
  • English Language65

Technology

Tools named in O*NET® data

  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Apache Kafka
  • Atlassian JIRA
  • C
  • C#
  • C++
  • Cascading style sheets CSS
  • Docker

Program connections

Education programs mapped to this occupation

The NCES crosswalk connects SOC 15-1252 with 20 CIP classifications. These mappings support exploration; they do not promise employment or licensure.

Accounting and Computer ScienceCIP 30.1601 Artificial IntelligenceCIP 11.0102 Cloud ComputingCIP 11.0902 Computer Engineering, GeneralCIP 14.0901 Computer Game ProgrammingCIP 11.0204 Computer Programming, Specific ApplicationsCIP 11.0202 Computer Programming, Specific PlatformsCIP 11.0205 Computer Programming, Vendor/Product CertificationCIP 11.0203 Computer Programming/Programmer, GeneralCIP 11.0201 Computer ScienceCIP 11.0701

View all 20 mapped programs

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Information Security AnalystsSOC 15-1212Computer User Support SpecialistsSOC 15-1232Web DevelopersSOC 15-1254