The information technology industry is booming with many great opportunities for work and many companies are in great need of skilled computer programmers. With such a need, the compensation can be competitive–so, how much does a computer programmer make? The answer to this question greatly depends on the language and specialty of the programmer as some skills are often in higher demand than others. Here is a look at a few computer programming specialities with anticipated salaries, according to Indeed.com.
Computer Programmer Analyst – $38,000
The programmer analyst doesn’t necessarily write the code but simply provides a quality assurance check on coding that has already been developed. This process includes the maintenance and upkeep of databases and programs to ensure that they are operational. The analyst conducts tests and makes revisions to a program in order to make the program function properly.
IT Application Programmer – $55,000
The needs of IT programming are in great demand as many of the programs used are going web based. These applications must be lightweight and easy to transfer over the web. The end product must be user friendly and system compatible. The downside is that there are only a handful of programming languages that are capable of running in this capacity which can create a large pool of IT programmers out there, making this field highly competitive.
Systems Programmer – $69,000
Computer systems rely on integral component programs to maintain operation of the systems. Systems programmers often provide the “nuts-and-bolts” that keep a system running by creating programs that work within the hardware itself. Working within the mainframe and operating system of a computer requires the knowledge of specific languages that are considered the backbone of any system and can be difficult to learn. A position similar to a Systems Programmer is a Systems Analyst and the average salary for that position is $77,000.
Software Engineer/Developer – $84,000
The software engineer is commonly known as the developer. These programmers create the programs that the end user often interfaces on a daily basis. They provide updates to existing software and keep them compliant with current standards. Software Engineers with a dedicated niche or specialty are in high demand and it’s important for the developer to stay up on technology trends.
Senior Product Manager – $96,000
Short of owning the rights to a groundbreaking program, the senior product manager is to be considered one of the highest levels that a programmer can achieve. The Senior Product Manager creates innovative ways for applications of all kinds to work. They are one part engineer, one part marketing executive, and one part technician all rolled into the role of a senior programmer. Senior product managers often supervise various levels of development on application projects as well as provide executive level support in the generation of new application products.
While the median salary of the programmer is around $74,000 a year, there are a great many levels of opportunity below and above the mark. Without a doubt, programmers are in high demand in the work force. The key to finding a high paying position is to diversify one’s knowledge. Keeping up to date on programming trends while staying one step ahead of the game are paramount. Knowledge of multiple program languages will keep the programmer more versatile and useful.
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