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Job demand for software developers in the U.S. (2021)

Software developer employment in the United States is projected to grow 22% by 2029, much faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics1.

There will be more than 300,000 new openings in the next few years. There are also a few hundred of thousands of software developers retiring in the next few years.

The median pay for software developers is USD $107,510 per year.

Here is the median pay by states2:

  • California: USD $134,370
  • Texas: USD $107,940
  • New York: USD $119,570
  • Washington: USD $131,870
  • Virginia: USD $114,440

There's a talent shortage

There are 40,000 computer science graduates for 120,000 job openings next year. So, every 1 computer science graduate gets to pick from 3 jobs.

Because of this talent shortage, the current talent pool will demand higher salaries year after year.

What are the key reasons for the continued demand for software developers?

#1 reason is digital transformation

The world continues to become digitalized, and commerce is going completely electronic. Software is "eating" the world, and software developers are those who built this new world!

#2 reason is the limited life span of code

Code gets old and needs to be constantly updated and maintained.

#3 reason is the development of new tech

In the tech industry, things get changed completely in a few years, so even seasoned developers need to be constantly studying and catching up to the new trends.

The demand for software developers will likely continue for the next decade or two. As a knowledge worker, you can catch this wave by knowing how to code and being good at problem-solving.

1 BLS Occupation Outlook Handbook
2 https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes151256.htm#st