This article will introduce you to what a Computer programmers is, the career information of a Computer programmers and the necessary conditions to become a Computer programmers.By reading this article, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the profession of Computer programmers.

1. What is a Computer programmer？

A computer programmer is a professional technician who writes, designs and develops codes and scripts that can be recognized and run by computers to ensure the normal operation of computer systems or software programs.

Other job duties for a Computer programmer may include the following:

Computer programmers first need to convert the program design plans developed by software engineers or designers into computer executable code; at the same time, you will also master at least one or more programming languages ​​(such as C++, JavaScript, Python, etc.) so that you can write and maintain efficient software. Secondly, computer programmers also need to make good use of code libraries and integrated development environments (IDEs) to simplify the development process and improve coding efficiency through automated tools. In addition, during the development process, they must continue to test the program, find and fix bugs in a timely manner, to ensure the stability and performance reliability of the application. In addition, when errors occur in the system, computer programmers need to troubleshoot and tune, and work closely with engineering, testing or security teams.

2. How much does a Computer programmer Make?

According to data from ZipRecruiter on June 18, 2025, the average annual salary for computer programmers in the United States is $64,974. That's about $31.24 per hour. That's equivalent to $1,249 per week or $5,414 per month. The highest annual salary can be as high as $95,500 and as low as $33,000, but most computer programmers currently make between $50,500 and $80,000 per year, with the highest earners in the United States making up to $87,000 per year. The average salary range for computer programmers varies widely (up to $29,500), which means they may have many opportunities for advancement and pay increases depending on skill level, location, and years of experience.

3. Job Outlook of Computer programmer

The job market demand for computer programmers is affected by changes in the economic cycle, but is generally stable.According to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate of computer programmers is expected to decline by 10% from 2023 to 2033. However, despite the decline in employment, it is expected that there will be an average of about 6,400 computer programmer vacancies per year in the next decade. All of these vacancies are expected to fill the workforce that changes careers or exits the labor market (such as retirement).

4. What Are the Qualifications to Become a Computer programmer?

(1) Obtain a Bachelor's Degree

Since the work of computer programmers mainly revolves around computer network systems, having the necessary knowledge of computer networks is the basis for entry. Computer programmers usually need a bachelor's degree in network engineering, computer science, or IT-related fields to enter the industry.

(2) Develop professional skills

Computer programmers often need to have a solid foundation in computer and software engineering principles to ensure the smooth progress of their work. First of all, proficiency in languages ​​such as Java, C++, and Python is a basic skill for computer programmers, and a solid understanding of network protocols and technologies is required, such as the ability to skillfully integrate and call various network APIs (such as RESTful API, gRPC, NetConf/YANG, SNMP, etc.). Secondly, strong network and mathematical analysis capabilities, the ability to solve various network problems, and team communication capabilities are essential to identifying and solving network-related problems and effectively working with cross-functional teams. Finally, computer programmers with extensive experience in high-speed, highly scalable network architectures (DPDK, RDMA, hardware offload, network virtualization) are usually given priority in the application process.

(3) Earn Industry Certifications

Obtaining a certification that is highly recognized by the industry can prove your professional ability and ability to perform the position, and can also enhance your competitiveness in the workplace. Therefore, we recommend that you obtain the CCNP Data Center certification.This certification can certifiy your know-how to implement core data center technologies including network, compute, storage, automation, and security. Be the data center networking go-to expert with the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Data Center certification.

5. Similar Occupations of Computer programmers

• Software developer
• Data scientist
• Mobile app developer
• Computer programmer
• Systems analyst
• Programmer analyst
• Database administrator
• Front-end developer
• Computer systems engineer
• Web developer