The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) believes that the number software development jobs in the country will grow “much faster than average” between now and 2020. According to its biennial job market predictions, the “software developers, systems software” job category will grow faster than any other category of computer-related jobs, swelling from 392,300 in 2010 to 519,400 in 2020 for a 32 percent growth rate. Similarly, the “software developers, applications” category will likely grow 28 percent from 520,800 jobs in 2010 to 664,500 jobs in 2020. Jobs covered in the “computer programmers” category will grow more slowly, climbing from 363,100 in 2010 to 406,800 in 2020 for 12 percent growth.
In 2010, the median pay for all software developers was $90,530. Median pay for computer programmers was $71,380. The report noted, “Since computer programming can be done from anywhere in the world, companies often hire programmers in countries where wages are lower. This ongoing trend will limit growth for computer programmers in the United States.”
