Computer Programmers
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Most important skills
- Programming
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Quality Control Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Systems Analysis
- Writing
Key knowledge
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Design
- Education and Training
What the work involves
- Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
- Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.
- Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
- Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
- Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
- Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
- Write or contribute to instructions or manuals to guide end users.
Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Conventional, Investigative, Realistic.
Qualifications and licensing
- Most common education
- Bachelor's Degree (88% of respondents)
- Related experience
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year (37.2%)
- On-the-job training
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year (36.1%)
- Preparation level
- O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Licensing
- Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.
Check before planning
- Licensing for Computer Programmers is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.
Limits
- Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
- Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0
Work environment
How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).
Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.
| Condition | Level | Compared with other occupations | Most common answer (O*NET survey) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact with others | Low | Lower on contact with others than 67% of occupations compared | 66% of surveyed respondents chose “Constant contact with others” |
| Dealing with the public | Very low | Lower on dealing with the public than 87% of occupations compared | 35% of surveyed respondents chose “Not important at all” |
| Teamwork | Moderate | Lower on teamwork than 55% of occupations compared | 41% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely important” |
| Freedom to make decisions | Very low | Lower on freedom to make decisions than 90% of occupations compared | — |
| Time pressure | High | Higher on time pressure than 65% of occupations compared | 40% of surveyed respondents chose “Every day” |
| Conflict situations | Low | Lower on conflict situations than 73% of occupations compared | — |
| Dealing with unpleasant or angry people | Very low | Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 85% of occupations compared | — |
| Consequence of error | Low | Lower on consequence of error than 71% of occupations compared | — |
Work-pressure profile
- Time pressure: high
- Conflict situations: low
- Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: very low
- Consequence of error: low
Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.
Full answer distributions
Contact with others
- No contact with others: 0%
- Occasional contact with others: 20.29%
- Contact with others about half the time: 9.57%
- Contact with others most of the time: 4.61%
- Constant contact with others: 65.54%
n = 22, Incumbent 08/2018
Dealing with the public
- Not important at all: 35.03%
- Fairly important: 28.82%
- Important: 22.36%
- Very important: 0.28%
- Extremely important: 13.51%
n = 23, Incumbent 08/2018
Teamwork
- Not important at all: 0%
- Fairly important: 1.71%
- Important: 16.93%
- Very important: 40.22%
- Extremely important: 41.14%
n = 23, Incumbent 08/2018
Freedom to make decisions
- No freedom: 0%
- Very little freedom: suppressed by O*NET (low precision)
- Limited freedom: 1.57%
- Some freedom: 28.69%
- A lot of freedom: 27.97%
n = 22, Incumbent 08/2018
Time pressure
- Never: 0%
- Once a year or more but not every month: 1.71%
- Once a month or more but not every week: 31.93%
- Once a week or more but not every day: 26.53%
- Every day: 39.83%
n = 23, Incumbent 08/2018
Conflict situations
- Never: 23.42%
- Once a year or more but not every month: suppressed by O*NET (low precision)
- Once a month or more but not every week: 12.77%
- Once a week or more but not every day: 0.29%
- Every day: suppressed by O*NET (low precision)
n = 22, Incumbent 08/2018
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people
- Never: 25.77%
- Once a year or more but not every month: suppressed by O*NET (low precision)
- Once a month or more but not every week: 4.56%
- Once a week or more but not every day: suppressed by O*NET (low precision)
- Every day: 1.65%
n = 23, Incumbent 08/2018
Consequence of error
- Not serious at all: 17.27%
- Fairly serious: suppressed by O*NET (low precision)
- Serious: 8.39%
- Very serious: 21.75%
- Extremely serious: 6.44%
n = 22, Incumbent 08/2018
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O*NET-SOC 15-1251.00 · SOC 15-1251 (exact, high confidence) · dataset 2026.10.8