SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS, APPLICATIONS: MASSACHUSETTS
Occupation Description
Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user
needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of
optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually
or coordinating database development as part of a team. May supervise computer programmers.
State and National Wages
Location
United States
Massachusetts
2013
Pay
Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Hourly
$26.81
$34.75
$44.55
$56.07
$69.01
Yearly
$55,800
$72,300
$92,700
$116,600
$143,500
Hourly
$30.73
$37.44
$47.02
$58.45
$71.96
Yearly
$63,900
$77,900
$97,800
$121,600
$149,700
State and National Trends
Employment
United States
Software Developers, Applications
2012
2022
613,000
752,900
+23%
21,850
Projected
Annual Job
Openings 1
910
Employment
Massachusetts
Software Developers, Applications
1
Projected
Annual Job
Openings 1
Percent
Change
2012
2022
Percent
Change
27,350
32,940
+20%
Projected Annual Job Openings refers to the average annual job openings due to growth and net replacement.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge:
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Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and
computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning
and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and
technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and
production of various goods and services.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and
personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and
evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Source: “Software Developer.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net Development, n.d.
Web. 17 December 2014. <http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1132.00>
Skills:
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Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop
and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations,
and the environment will affect outcomes.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose
the most appropriate one.
Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to
improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Abilities:
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Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that
make sense.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve
solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions
(includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things
in different ways.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is
important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a
specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a
problem.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Tasks and Activities
Occupation Specific Tasks:
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Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance.
Develop and direct software system testing and validation procedures, programming, and documentation.
Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design system and to obtain
information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost
constraints.
Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict
and measure outcome and consequences of design.
Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
Consult with customers about software system design and maintenance.
Supervise the work of programmers, technologists and technicians and other engineering and scientific
personnel.
Coordinate software system installation and monitor equipment functioning to ensure specifications are met.
Obtain and evaluate information on factors such as reporting formats required, costs, and security needs to
determine hardware configuration.
Determine system performance standards.
Train users to use new or modified equipment.
Specify power supply requirements and configuration.
Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system
installation.
Source: “Software Developer.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net Development, n.d.
Web. 17 December 2014. <http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1132.00>
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Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan computer specifications and layouts, and peripheral
equipment modifications.
Generalized Work Activities:
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Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software)
to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or
products, including artistic contributions.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the
best solution and solve problems.
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by
breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Detailed Work Activities:
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Analyze project data to determine specifications or requirements.
Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve problems in scientific or applied fields.
Assess database performance.
Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
Coordinate software or hardware installation.
Design software applications.
Develop performance metrics or standards related to information technology.
Develop testing routines or procedures.
Document technical specifications or requirements.
Manage information technology projects or system activities.
Modify software programs to improve performance.
Monitor computer system performance to ensure proper operation.
Prepare data for analysis.
Provide recommendations to others about computer hardware.
Provide technical support for software maintenance or use.
Supervise information technology personnel.
Teach others to use computer equipment or hardware.
Tools and Technology
Software Developers, Applications
Tools:
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Computer servers - Application servers, Computer servers
Desktop computers - Desktop computers
Digital cameras - Digital cameras
Flash memory storage card - Flash disks
Integrated circuit testers - In circuit emulators ICE, Logic analyzers
Technology:
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Data base management system software - Apache Hadoop, Computer Associates integrated data
management system CA-IDMS, Data definition language DDL, Data manipulation language DML, Database
management system software
Source: “Software Developer.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net Development, n.d.
Web. 17 December 2014. <http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1132.00>
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Development environment software - A programming language APL, ABC
Compiler, AWK, Ada, Advanced business application programming ABAP
Object or component oriented development software - ABC: the AspectBench Compiler for
AspectJ, C++, Collaborative Application Markup Language CAML, Common Lisp Object System
CLOS, Component object model COM software
Program testing software - Defect tracking software, Dynamic analysis software, Functional testing
software, IBM Rational PurifyPlus, Integration testing software
Web platform development software - Adobe Systems Adobe Flex, Allaire ColdFusion, Apache
Struts, Asynchronous JavaScript and XML AJAX, Cascading Style Sheets CSS
Education and Training
Related Instructional Programs:
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Artificial Intelligence
Bioinformatics
Computer Engineering, General
Computer Programming, Specific Applications
Computer Programming/Programmer, General
Computer Science
Computer Software Engineering
Computer Software Technology/Technician
Informatics
Information Technology
Medical Informatics
Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation
Distribution of Educational Attainment
Percent of employees aged 25 to 44 in the occupation whose highest level of
educational attainment is
Occupation
Less
High
Some
than
school
Doctoral or
college, Associate's Bachelor's Master's
high
diploma
professional
no
degree
degree
degree
school
or
degree
degree
diploma equivalent
Software Developers,
Applications
0.2%
2.5%
8.5%
5.1%
50.3%
29.6%
3.8%
Computer Occupations
0.5%
5.8%
18%
10.7%
43.5%
18.2%
3.3%
Computer and Mathematical
0.5%
4.3%
14.6%
8.4%
42.2%
22.6%
7.4%
Total, All Occupations
9.4%
24.5%
20.2%
8.7%
19.8%
10.1%
7.2%
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Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
Source: “Software Developer.” O*NET Resource Center. National Center for O*Net Development, n.d.
Web. 17 December 2014. <http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1132.00>