Software Developer Career Path: How to Qualify, Develop, and Build Your Career

As a software developer, you'll create the applications and software that tell computers and other technology what to do. You'll start by analyzing the needs of those who use that technology and work to create solutions to make their jobs and lives easier. 

Technology is becoming an even bigger part of our world, and the need for software developers will likely grow rapidly. From an increased need for cybersecurity to an uptick in the usefulness of artificial intelligence (AI), you'll discover many driving forces behind this accelerated growth. 

The software developer career path may look different for everyone, but this diverse field leaves room for many options, depending on your interests and passions. Learn more about what a software developer does, how to become one, and what it means for your future regarding salary, job outlook, and potential career advancements. 

What does a software developer do?

Software developers create software based on the specific needs of users. You might receive a list of specifications, and your goal is to use your skills and knowledge to create a program that checks every box on that list. Your involvement in the process may vary depending on the type of software developer you are and where you work. For example, you may write the code for the software you create or work with a programmer who handles that aspect. 

Either way, you will be a part of the team that creates, tests and finalizes that software. You may also be responsible for the security and other aspects of the software you create. Once you or your team complete a product, you may provide upgrades and fix bugs that users and quality assurance testers find. You will stay involved with the software you create throughout its life cycle.

Common responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a software developer will largely depend on where you work and the type of software developer career you choose. Some of your day-to-day tasks might involve the following:  

• Analyzing a user's needs and determining how to meet them 

• Developing software that meets the user's needs 

• Creating models so programmers will understand what code the software needs

• Maintaining and testing software for bugs, security weaknesses, and other problems

• Keeping documentation of every step of the software development process

• Looking for errors and areas for improvement in code

• Working with a team to correct and create upgrades for software 

• Ensuring software is functional enough for the targeted user

• Updating the user interface to improve functionality 

• Ensuring every aspect of the software interacts harmoniously with the hardware and other applications it will use  

Read more: Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering: How the Jobs Differ

Salary and job outlook

According to Lightcast™, software developers make an average annual salary of $120,993.60 and an average hourly salary of $58.17 [1]. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects this field to grow 25 percent between 2022 and 2032. That's much faster than average compared to other careers and industries [2]. The increased demand for this field has multiple causes, including a greater need for security in technology, software for automation, and software for AI, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). 

How to become a software developer

To become a software developer, you must determine the right path for you. Knowing your area of interest is one place to start, as it allows you to familiarize yourself with the various types of software developers and their unique duties. 

Employers and clients typically require a combination of education and experience, making these two vital considerations in your plans to become a software developer. Still, this pathway can look different depending on your individual factors. Education can include everything from getting a college degree to educating yourself informally, while your experience might include many different types of roles.  

1. Know your area of interest.

Developers usually fall within two groups: applications software developers and systems software developers. Knowing which type of software developer position best matches your interests is a great place to start. Systems software developers look at the big picture and focus on operating systems that allow users to interact with computers and other technology. Applications software developers focus on more specific software programs, like games, mobile phone apps, and industry-specific software. 

Another way to group software developers is by front-end, back-end, or full-stack. Front-end developers focus on the aspects of software that users see and interact with when using it. Back-end developers focus more on the software's deeper parts, which keep it running smoothly but typically remain outside of users’ views. Full-stack developers work on both ends.  

Finally, think about what type of projects you want to create. You might want to focus on games or enjoy creating business applications. You may prefer creating projects for mobile devices, robots, AI, or desktop applications. Many possibilities exist. 

2. Get educated.

You don’t necessarily need a formal education to become a software developer, but developers typically benefit from formal education to learn the necessary skills. Earning a bachelor's degree in areas like information technology, engineering, computer science, data science, or mathematics can help you gain the skills and knowledge you need for the job and help you compete with other candidates for a position. Some companies may even require you to have a master's degree. Even if they don't, earning one may help you gain skills and knowledge to advance your career. 

Certifications can also help you gain skills and knowledge for the job. Remember that some may require you to have some work experience before you can earn them. However, they might help your resume stand out to potential employers. Some popular options include:  

• Cisco Certified Network Associate 

• SAP Certified Development Associate

• IEEE Computer Society Associate Software Developer

• Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer

• AWS Certified Developer Associate

As a software developer, you will also spend time learning on your own, and you'll need to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and breakthroughs in technology as well. Ways to do this and keep your skills sharp include listening to industry experts (e.g., through channels such as social media, podcasts, and blogs), taking courses, and working on personal projects. You can even add them to your resume or create a portfolio.  

3. Get experience.

Whether you've completed your degree or are ready to gain experience, you may want to start with an internship. Having real-world experience on your resume appeals to potential employers, though many will offer on-the-job training for the right candidate. 

Many employers want you to have working knowledge of at least one programming language. You may learn this while earning your degree or on your own, or you can attend a coding bootcamp, which is a condensed training program. 

4. Build your skills.

While knowing at least one programming language is important for software developers, you'll need many other human and technical skills for the job. Some common human skills in this field might include: 

• Analytical skills 

• Communication, both written and oral 

• Attention to detail

• Patience

• Emotional intelligence  

• Creativity 

• Problem-solving 

• Interpersonal skills and teamwork 

Required technical skills will vary from job to job, but some common ones include: 

• Development operations (DevOps)

• Programming languages like Java, Python, HTML, and SQL

• Data structures and database management 

• Algorithms 

• Object-oriented programming 

Software developer career path

Some people remain software developers for their entire careers, while others go on to senior positions or even management roles. Explore a few roles you can progress into and the average annual salaries of each.

Lead developer

Average annual base salary: $214,176 [3]

In this role, you're essentially the leader of the software development team at an organization. This type of job is more common in tech companies or larger businesses across all industries. 

Chief technology officer

Average annual base salary: $323,260 [4]

Some software developers may go on to executive roles, becoming the chief technology officer for a company. In this role, you're in charge of an organization's technological needs and helping it reach its goals and objectives.

Computer and information systems managers

Average annual base salary: $160,876 [5]

You'll manage an organization's IT department as a computer and information systems manager. Additionally, you may serve as the liaison between other tech professionals and executives.

Start your software developer career path with Coursera.

Software developers are high-demand professionals with the opportunity to work in a wide range of industries. Prepare yourself for your career as a software developer with online courses from some of the top institutions in the world. On Coursera, you'll find options like Software Developer Career Guide and Interview Preparation offered by IBM, Full Stack Software Developer Assessment provided by IBM, and Learn to Program: The Fundamentals from the University of Toronto.