How long does it take to become a software developer?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do software developers make?

The US median is $135,980 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a software developer?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a software developer?

1,805 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a software developer

Computers & IT · SOC 15-1252

$135,980US median pay, 2025

+10.2%Projected growth, 2025–35

95,300Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work as a software developer

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Computer Science	CIP 11.0701	951
Information Technology	CIP 11.0103	629
Computer Programming/Programmer, General	CIP 11.0201	379
Information Science/Studies	CIP 11.0401	372
Computer Engineering, General	CIP 14.0901	294
Data Science, General	CIP 30.7001	164
Computer Programming, Specific Applications	CIP 11.0202	136
Computer Software Engineering	CIP 14.0903	131
Mathematics and Computer Science	CIP 30.0801	72
Artificial Intelligence	CIP 11.0102	67
Informatics	CIP 11.0104	64
Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation	CIP 11.0804	36
Cloud Computing	CIP 11.0902	35
Computer Game Programming	CIP 11.0204	21
Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification	CIP 11.0203	19
Computer Software Technology/Technician	CIP 15.1204	18
Accounting and Computer Science	CIP 30.1601	4
Economics and Computer Science	CIP 30.3901	4
Computer Programming, Specific Platforms	CIP 11.0205	3
Linguistics and Computer Science	CIP 30.4801	1

See the 1,805 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a software developer?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do software developers make?: The US median is $135,980 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a software developer?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a software developer?: 1,805 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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