Computer programmers write, test, and maintain software programs that perform specific functions and tasks such as updating financial records or simulating flights for pilot training. Programmers use detailed instructions in one of several different programming languages, such as Java, Delphi, Lisp, C ++, Perl, and Visual Basic. They carry out five stages of software development: define the need, design a flowchart, convert the flowchart into computer code, debug, and beta-test. Two general types of computer programmers are application programmers and systems programmers. Most programmers write application programs for specific tasks within an organization.
Education
In 2006, according to the United States Department of Labor, more than 68 percent of computer programmers had a college degree or higher in computer science, computer systems, or computer programming. Certified programmers with experience in a wide variety of programming languages and tools are hired earlier than those with a technical degree or certificate. Talented programmers have a better chance of being promoted to chief programming officer, systems programmer, programmer analyst, systems analyst, administrator, or software engineer.
Skills and abilities
Computer programmers must possess skills such as critical thinking, active listening, patience, creativity, technical analysis, complex problem solving, paying close attention to detail, thinking logically, being able to consult and work well with others and communicate with non-technical personnel. Among the skills they must possess is that of requesting information, deductive and inductive reasoning, oral and written comprehension, interaction with computers, information processing and organization, and sensitivity to the problem it networking salary.
Employability
Computer programmers are employed in nearly every industry, with the largest domain being computer systems design and related services, followed by software publishers, company and business administration, employment services, and insurance companies. The state with the most employees is New York, followed by New Jersey, Utah, the District of Columbia and Delaware. According to the US Department of Labor, there were 394,230 computer programmers as of May 2008. In 2006, about 17,000 programmers were freelancers, working on a temporary or contract basis.
Profits
In May 2008, the average hourly wage for computer programmers was $ 33.47 and the average annual wage was $ 69,620. The top 10 percent earned $ 111,450 a year and the lowest 10 percent earned $ 40,080. The industry with the highest pay was the manufacturing of computers and peripheral equipment, with an hourly average of US $ 49.37 employing 3,020 workers. Financial investments were the second highest paying companies, with a mean hourly wage of US $ 41.82 employing 2,000 workers. The top-paying state for programmers in May 2008 was Washington, with 10,640 employees and a median hourly wage of $ 41.25, followed by New Mexico, Connecticut, California and Massachusetts.
Labor prospects
The United States Department of Labor predicts a 4 percent decrease in employment in computer programming from 2006 to 2016. This decrease is due to factors related to changes in technology, such as systems and applications being consolidated and by centralizing, more use is made of software packages, programming languages and tools become more and more advanced, and users can perform more programming functions on their own. Outsourcing is another factor due to lower salaries and programming languages being more recognized internationally. Despite these factors, computer programmers will always be in demand, especially in new technology and business.
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