Software developer

What does a software developer do?

• Turn user needs and business requirements into technical designs.
• Write, review and improve code in languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript or C#.
• Test software, find the causes of bugs and fix them.
• Work with designers, product managers and other developers in short planning cycles.
• Maintain and update existing systems, including security fixes.
• Document how the software works so others can support it.

Where do they work?

Developers work for software companies, banks, retailers, governments, hospitals, game studios and almost every large organisation. Many work in hybrid or fully remote teams, and some work as freelancers for clients in other countries. The work is mostly computer-based, with regular team meetings, and some roles include on-call duty to fix urgent problems.

What skills do you need?

• Programming in at least one major language
• Problem solving and logical thinking
• Software testing and debugging
• Version control (for example Git)
• Databases and data structures
• Cloud platforms and deployment
• Clear written and spoken communication
• Teamwork in agile ways of working

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• manage engineering project
• utilise computer-aided software engineering tools
• provide technical documentation
• interpret technical requirements
• use software design patterns
• identify customer requirements
• create flowchart diagram
• use software libraries
• perform scientific research
• define technical requirements
• use technical drawing software
• analyse software specifications

Essential knowledge: engineering principles · tools for software configuration management · integrated development environment software · technical drawings · engineering processes · ICT debugging tools · project management · computer programming

How do you become a software developer?

The most common route is a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering or another subject with a lot of programming, such as mathematics, physics or electrical engineering. Employers look closely at practical ability, so internships, open-source contributions and personal projects matter as much as grades. Graduates from other subjects can switch through a conversion master's degree, a coding bootcamp or an employer training scheme. Technical interviews, often with coding tests, are standard in most countries.

1. University degree. A three- or four-year degree in computer science or software engineering gives you theory, programming practice and access to internships and graduate schemes. Related degrees in mathematics, physics or engineering are also widely accepted.
2. Apprenticeship or vocational training. In countries with strong apprenticeship systems, such as Germany, Switzerland and the UK, you can train as a developer while working and earning. Some schemes lead to a full degree.
3. Bootcamp or self-taught. Intensive courses and online learning can lead to junior roles if you build a strong portfolio. This route is more competitive, and some employers and visa systems still prefer a degree.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Computer science

  A computer science degree teaches how software, data and computer systems work, from programming and algorithms to networks and artificial intelligence.

  9 linked careers

• Mathematics

  A mathematics degree develops advanced reasoning and problem-solving through pure mathematics, such as algebra and analysis, and applied areas, such as statistics, modelling and computing.

  6 linked careers

• Data science

  A data science degree teaches how to collect, clean, analyse and learn from data, combining statistics, programming and machine learning with knowledge of real-world problems.

  6 linked careers

• Electrical engineering

  An electrical engineering degree teaches how to design and build systems that generate, control and use electricity, from power grids and motors to circuits, chips and communication networks.

  5 linked careers

• Physics

  A physics degree explores the laws that govern the universe, from particles and atoms to materials, energy and stars, using mathematics, experiments and computer models.

  6 linked careers

Ready to apply? Build a free CV and cover letter with our CV builder

Do you need a licence to work as a software developer?

Software development is not a regulated profession in most countries, so you do not need a licence to work as a developer. Titles such as "engineer" are protected in a few places, for example in some Canadian provinces, where only licensed engineers may use them. Vendor certifications from cloud providers can help but are rarely required.

How much does a software developer earn?

Pay in the United States

• $135,980Median annual wage, May 2025
• $82,460–$214,670Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 1.7MPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 15-1252, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes software developer and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Junior or graduate developer
2. Software developer
3. Senior developer
4. Lead developer or software architect
5. Engineering manager or chief technology officer

Job outlook

Demand for software skills is spread across the whole economy rather than one industry, which makes the career fairly resilient. AI coding tools are changing the job by automating routine code, so employers increasingly value system design, testing, security and understanding user needs. Entry-level hiring can tighten when technology companies cut costs, so internships and a strong portfolio make a real difference.

Questions about becoming a software developer

Do you need a degree to become a software developer?

Not always. A degree in computer science or a related subject is the most common route and helps with graduate schemes and work visas, but many employers hire developers from bootcamps, apprenticeships or self-taught backgrounds if they can prove their skills with projects and pass technical interviews.

Which degree is best for software development?

Computer science and software engineering are the most direct choices. Mathematics, physics, data science and electrical engineering also lead into development roles, especially if you add programming projects and an internship.

Is software development a good career for international graduates?

It is one of the most portable careers because programming languages and tools are the same worldwide and remote work is common. Work visas still depend on each country's rules, and many schemes favour applicants with a relevant degree.

Will AI replace software developers?

AI tools already write and review routine code, which changes what junior developers do. People who can define problems, design reliable systems, check AI output and understand users are likely to remain in demand, but the skills employers expect are shifting.

Related careers

• Web developer

  Web developers build and maintain websites and web applications, from the pages people see to the servers and databases behind them.

  Degree often expected

• Data scientist

  Data scientists use statistics, programming and machine learning to find patterns in data and help organisations make decisions or build data-driven products.

  Degree usually needed

• AI engineer

  AI engineers, also called machine learning engineers, build and run systems that learn from data, such as recommendation tools, image recognition and applications based on large language models.

  Degree usually needed

• Cybersecurity specialist

  Cybersecurity specialists protect computer systems, networks and data from attacks, theft and damage.

  Degree often expected

• Game designer

  Game designers decide how a video game works: its rules, goals, levels, characters, story and the experience players have.

  Degree often expected

Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 15-1252, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2512.3

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a software developer: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/software-developer/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

Report a data or content issue