Software Designers

Software designers, also known as software developers, create new ideas and design prepackaged and customized computer software. Systems software designers create systems software such as computer operating systems, proprietary computer systems for businesses and other organizations, and operating systems that control consumer electronics in cars, big-box appliances, and smartphones. These systems make it possible for computers to complete given tasks and to solve problems. Software applications designers create word processing programs, video games, front-end database programs, and spreadsheet programs. Once a need in the market has been identified, software designers first conceive of the program on a global level by outlining what the program will do. Then they write the specifications from which programmers code computer commands to perform the given functions. There are nearly 1.5 million software developers and programmers employed in the United States. Computer systems design jobs employed 33 percent of them as of May 2019. Software publishers, finance and insurance business, and manufacturers, and management firms employed another 29 percent.

Salary Range

$50,000 to $100,000+

Minimum Education Level

Bachelor's Degree

Certification/License

Recommended

Outlook

Much Faster than the Average

Personality Traits

Creative

Problem-Solving

Scientific

Career Ladder

Software Manager

Project Team Leader

Software Designer

Computer Programmer