Now that the job market is improving, more people are looking at computer programming as a career option. While computer science is still one of the most popular college degrees, programmers can earn high salaries. According to PayScale, computer programmers can earn $86,700 per year, while software developers earn $66,600 per year. Of course, these average salaries are merely intended to provide a general idea of the range of salaries computer programmers can expect to earn, and the actual amount you earn will depend on your qualifications, experience, and location.
The average salary for a software developer in the United States is $81,000, and that figure increases by about $9,000 each year. These numbers don’t include other perks, such as bonuses, commissions, and overtime. Some workers earn even more, depending on their work experience. A seasoned software developer can make as much as $160,000 a year, while junior programmers just starting often make around $60,000 a year.
The answer to the question, “How much can I earn as a programmer?” depends on which industry you work in and your skillset. It can also depend on other factors, such as how confident you are in the interview, and what skills you highlight. It may not seem like it, but many recruiters focus on your resume before even shortlisting you for any position. Making sure your resume stands out from the crowd is definitely a task you should pursue even for a programming job. You could take help from firms like ARC Resumes to create a stellar resume that can push you towards the role and pay-scale you want. In general, the pay scale for computer programmers is fairly good, with the top 10 percent of programmers earning more than $100,00 a year. The highest earners in the industry can be found working for large, well-known companies with complex software systems. Programmers in these roles often receive excellent benefits and bonuses, and multinational firms sometimes offer programmers in other countries a nice relocation package.
Many different industries employ computer programmers. Some programmers work in the corporate world, many people are self-employed programmers, and many others work for companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, etc. The salaries for programmers vary greatly depending on several factors. One variable is the job title, with computer programmers commanding salaries in the average $60,000 to $90,000 range. Another variable is the type of company a programmer works for. Many companies will pay a higher salary to programmers who work for them. Other variables include education, experience, location, and the type of programming language a programmer knows.
Like most things, computer programmers earn different salaries according to their experience and their geographic locations. Some programmers are highly skilled and earn six-figure salaries, while others make much less. The starting salary for computer programmers who are new to the industry is around $40,000 per year, but it can increase to well over $100,000 with a lot more experience.
Although, the answers to these questions are subjective since income potential depends on where you live, what type of programming skills you have, and what projects you decide to pursue, among other things. While there is no hard-and-fast rule about how much money you can earn with programming, some industries-such as finance, health care, and insurance-are consistently paying top dollar to coders.
Considerations for Becoming a Programmer
Before you decide to become a programmer, consider your options for earning. There are a wide variety of jobs for computer programmers, from software developers to data analysts to computer programmers in a variety of industries. Some workers are constantly in front of a computer, while others are at a desk. Some work full-time, while others work only part-time or work from home. Still, others work for government agencies on contract, while others hold independent contracts.
Programming is a career that pays well, but it’s not for everyone. Although many people dream of writing code and working for tech giants like Google, they quickly learn that the pay isn’t that great. Many developers end up going down the freelance route, where they create their schedule, make apps, make online games or offline games, usually profit more, and are generally more satisfied.
