Software Developers
What They Do:
Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
Related occupations
Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
Related occupations
Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
Related occupations
Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
Related occupations
Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.
Source: O*NET (2023)
Sample Job Titles:
Software Engineers
DevOps Engineers
Software Developers
Java Developers
Full Stack Developers
Source: O*NET 2023
Select a MSA to see local data
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Richmond, VA
Outlook in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)
Employment (Q1 2023) 16,048
Projected Annual Growth 3%
Average Entry Level Salary $81,229
Median Salary $132,137
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Supply-Demand Snapshot: Software Developers (all levels)
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Preferred Certifications
(Entry level jobs requiring a high school diploma, Associate’s degree, and Bachelor's degree)
Top Secret Clearance
Security Clearance
Secret Clearance
Top Secrete Clearance
CompTIA Security+
Top 10 Skills Requested
(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)
Software Development
Computer Science
Scripting Langugaes
Agile Software Development
Communication
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Software Quality Assurance
System Design and Implementation
Java
Initiative and Leadership
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Outlook in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)
Employment (Q1 2023) 73,062
Projected Annual Growth 2.1%
Average Entry Level Salary $81,290
Median Salary $137,064
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Supply-Demand Snapshot: Software Developers (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
40,699
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Preferred Certifications
(Entry level jobs requiring a high school diploma, Associate’s degree, and Bachelor's degree)
Top Secret-Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI Clearance)
Security Clearance
Secret Clearance
Top Secret Clearance
CompTIA Security+
Top 10 Skills Requested
(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)
Software Development
Computer Science
Scripting Languages
Agile Software Development
Communication
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Software Quality Assurance
System Design and Implementation
Java
Initiative and Leadership
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Outlook in the Richmond, VA MSA MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)
Employment (Q1 2023) 8,170
Projected Annual Growth 2.2%
Average Entry Level Salary $74,161
Median Salary $122,297
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Supply-Demand Snapshot: Software Developers (all levels)
Entry Level Job Ads
5,432
Source: Lightcast. Datarun 2023.4
Preferred Certifications
(Entry level jobs requiring a high school diploma, Associate’s degree, and Bachelor's degree)
Salesforce Certification
Salesforce Certified Administrator
Security Clearance
Secret Clearance
Software Development Engineer in Test
Certified Information Systems Security Professional
Microsoft Certified Professional
Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator
AWS Certified Solutions Architect
AWS Certified Developer
Top 10 Skills Requested
(entry level jobs requiring up through a bachelor’s degree)
Agile Methodology
Computer Science
Software Engineering
SQL (Programming Language)
JavaScript (Programming Language)
Amazon Web Services
Java (Programming Language)
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure
Source: Lightcast™ accessed August 10, 2022
Largest Employers in the Region:
