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Application/Software Developers

Tasks, Responsibilities, and Duties

  • Analyze user needs and develop software via coding to meet those needs. 
  • Recommend software upgrades for existing programs and systems. 
  • Design each piece of an application or system and plan how the pieces will work together. 
  • Create a variety of models and diagrams that outline the software code needed for an application. 
  • Ensure that a program functions optimally through software maintenance and testing. 
  • Document every aspect of an application or system as a reference for future maintenance and upgrades. 
  • Identify project risks and recommend steps to minimize those risks. 
  • Implement software testing, using either manual or automated programs and exploratory testing, and evaluate results. 
  • Document and report defects or problems with software. 
  • Provide feedback to other software developers and stakeholders regarding usability and functionality.

Registered Apprenticeships

  • Commercial Drone Software Developer (RAPIDS Code: 2072) 
    • Time-Based: Estimated Length - 2 Years 
    • Competency-based: Estimated Length - 2 Years 
    • Hybrid: Estimated Length - 2 Years 
  • Application Developer (RAPIDS Code: 1129) 
    • Time-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year 
    • Competency-based: Estimated Length - 1 Year 
    • Hybrid: Estimated Length - 1 Year 

Certifications  

CompTIA IT Fundamentals+; CompTIA Security+; CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+); CompTIA PenTest+; CompTIA Linux+; Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP); IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Certification; Microsoft (MTA, MSCA, MSCE).

 

In 2021, the median annual salary for Application/Software Developers was $120,730. Annual salaries range from $64,470 to more than $168,570 depending on experience and other factors.

Top Industries for Employment

  •  Software publishers
  • Computer systems design and related services
  • Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing
  • Data processing, hosting, and related services

Employment Trends

1,364,180 people were employed in this occupation in 2021. Employment of Application/Software Developers is projected to grow 22% from 2020 to 2030. About 113,500 openings for Application/Software Developers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the strong growth in demand for workers in this occupation and others result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

The need for new applications on smart phones and tablets will help increase the demand for Application/Software Developers.

The health and medical insurance and reinsurance carriers’ industry will need innovative software to manage new healthcare policy enrollments and administer existing policies digitally. As the number of people who use this digital platform increases over time, demand for Application/Software Developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers will grow.

Application/Software Developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are likely to see new opportunities because of an increase in the number of products that use software. For example, computer systems are routinely built into consumer electronics and other products, such as cell phones and appliances.

Concerns over threats to computer security could result in more investment in security software to protect computer networks and electronic infrastructure.

  • Application Developer
  • Application Integration Engineer
  • Commercial Drone Software Developer
  • Developer
  • Infrastructure Engineer
  • Mobile App Developer
  • Network Engineer
  • Software Architect
  • Software Development Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • Systems Engineer

Computer Systems Analyst

Tasks, Responsibilities, and Duties

  • Coordinate software or hardware installation.
  • Monitor computer system performance to ensure proper operation.
  • Apply information technology to solve business or other applied problems.
  • Collaborate to determine design specifications or details.
  • Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
  • Collect data about customer needs.
  • Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation of computer programs and systems.
  • Consult with management to ensure agreement on system principles.
  • Confer with clients regarding the nature of the information processing or computation needs a computer program is to address.
  • Assist staff and users with computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and program problems.
  • Interview or survey workers, observe job performance, or perform the job to determine what information is processed and how it is processed.

Registered Apprenticeships

  • Cloud Operations Specialist 1 (RAPIDS code: 2085); Cloud Operations Specialist 2 (RAPIDS code: 2086).
    • Time-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year
    • Competency-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year
    • Hybrid: Estimated Length - 1 Year
  • Computer Support Specialist-Desktop Support Tech (RAPIDS code: 2018)
    • Time-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year
    • Competency-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year
    • Hybrid: Estimated Length - 1 Year
  • Customer Service Tech Support (RAPIDS code: 3031)
    • Time-Based: Estimated Length - 2 Years
    • Competency-Based: Estimated Length - 2 Years
    • Hybrid: Estimated Length - 2 Years
  • Health Information Technology Specialist (RAPIDS code: 2024)
    • Time-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year
    • Competency-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year
    • Hybrid: Estimated Length - 1 Year
  • IT Generalist (RAPIDS code: 1059)
    • Time-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year
    • Competency-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year
    • Hybrid: Estimated Length - 1 Year
  • Help Desk Technician (RAPIDS code: 1131)
    • Time-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year
    • Competency-Based: Estimated Length - 1 Year
    • Hybrid: Not Available

Certifications  

CompTIA IT Fundamentals+; CompTIA Security+; CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+); CompTIA PenTest+; CompTIA Linux+; Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP); IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Certification; Microsoft (MTA, MSCA, MSCE).

 

In 2021, the median annual salary for Computer Systems Analysts was $99,270. Annual salaries range from $60,680 to more than $158,010 depending on experience and other factors.
 

Adding certifications and advanced degrees may help boost the Computer Systems Analyst salary beyond the base level. The Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report revealed that IT professionals who gained new skills or added a certification received an average raise of $12,000–$13,000.

Top Industries for Employment

  • Computer systems design and related services
  • Management of Companies and enterprises
  • Insurance carriers
  • Monetary authorities, credit intermediation, and related activities
  • Information
  • Government
  • Health care

Employment Trends

505,150 people were employed in this occupation in 2021. Job growth for Computer Systems Analysts is driven by many factors, such as the adoption of cloud computing, increasing cybersecurity threats, and the adoption of technology in healthcare and other industry sectors. Employment for Computer Systems Analysts is projected to grow 7% from 2020 to 2030, with a projected 47,500 openings for Computer Systems Analysts annually. The outlook for jobs in the healthcare industry is particularly strong with the adoption of electronic medical records and other types of healthcare IT.

  • Applications Analyst
  • Business Systems Analyst
  • Computer Analyst
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Computer Systems Consultant
  • IT Analyst
  • Information Systems Analyst (ISA)
  • System Analyst