Computer Programmer Job Description Information

The job of a computer programmer is mainly to bring a computer simulation or a video game to life for the user making sure that everything is functioning correctly. Computer programmers also work for different business’s making sure that all of their software is functioning properly.  Because of the fact that the internet and the ingenuity of cell phones is constantly expanding, there is a lot more work to be done for computer programmers.

Since more and more computer programmers are becoming more self-employed, there are a lot of software companies, banks, insurance companies, the government, universities, engineering firms, hospitals, telecommunications companies and office equipment manufacturers who are starting to hire computer programmers to work for them.

The duties and responsibilities of a computer programmer is of course programming and coding. The way that they accomplish this task is they start by turning step by step instructions and commands for a specific program into a language that the computers are going to understand so that they can run the program. All programmers have the duty of writing up and designing programs based on the plans given to them by software engineers and system analysts. A lot of testing has to be done after all the coding and programming has been done for the program so that it works perfectly. Programmers also engage in changing up the codes for already written programs so that they are up to date with new features. They repair damaged programs, they make changes to a program and they greaten the capability of computer programs as well.

There are two mainly different types of computer programmers where there are those who create applications and those who create systems. Programmers who focus on applications create and write up the coding for certain programs or businesses that need their skills in that area. Programmers that specialize in systems write up the coding for central operating systems that control a lot of different computers, printers and other equipment that is working to maintain a big network of computers performing many tasks all at once.

There is becoming little difference between computer programmers and software engineers due to the fact that there are more advanced and automated programming functions that both programmers and engineers are learning. Because of this fact there are a lot of programmers who are assisting engineers and helping them to design and determine what users want to see and use in the program. To work as a computer programmer you need to have a strong concept of analytical thinking, and you have to be good at problem solving when it comes to paying attention to certain details. All computer programmers should be knowledgeable of all the aspects and factors they need to assess to do their job like they need to understand financing for banks and they need to know art for those programs that are in graphic design.

A lot of computer programmers work in an office, and a lot of them will be working self-employed in a certain location. The programs that are very large and those programs that take years to build need a team of computer programmers, and this why it is important to know how to work on a team. Programmers are recommended to take breaks due to the fact that they are staring at a computer screen for hours creating a program, and of course doing this can lead to serious health issues.

Because of the fact that competition for employment for programmers is becoming more stiff, having a bachelor’s degree and experience in programming is the best for seeking employment as a programmer. There are a lot of programming languages that are used these days such as C++, Python, COBOL, Prolog, Java and Visual Basic is another one. It is recommended to have experience in all of these languages. Being knowledgeable of database systems like DB2, Oracle and Sybase is also recommended for programmers seeking employment. The subjects that most programmers major in are mathematics, computer science and also information systems. The way that programmers receive their certification is by showcasing their skills in various languages or specific software.

The amount of men and women employed as programmers in the United States is extremely expected to decline by about 3% between the years of 2008 and 2018 because of the fact that so much advanced automation and programming tools have become created. A lot of programmers are seeking outsourcing jobs from foreign countries due to the fact that not a lot is required for employment. Technology in computers is always changing which is why programmers have to stay competitive. The salary range for programmers, according to Payscale.com 2008, is $60,000 to $82,000.

Computer Programmer Salary Information

Computers programmers have a very technical and timely responsibility of making sure that they provide the technical functions that help companies and other businesses organizations use their computers to help deal with whatever tasks they need to accomplish. All programmers are coders who create programs through the writing of step by step codes that help a computer program process information in many different ways.

You can find computer programmers working in many different businesses and industries, and they receive their instructions for specific projects from software engineers who create these projects on flow charts to help the programmer write out the kind of program that is needed to accommodate the vision of the project. The salary that a computer programmer earns is all based on their specific position and their specific level of education, but there are still many other factors that work in determining their salary.

Back in 2009, the United States Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics went and collected a survey and wage data from over 350,000 men and women working as certified computer programmers. It was determined that the average annual salary for working as a computer programmer is $75,000 meaning that on a monthly bases they are making more than $6,000 with an hourly pay of $40. It was also determined that the programmers in the bottom 10% were making an average of $40,000 a year while those in the top 10% were making over $110,000 a year.

The salary for computer programmers is different from industry to industry, but those programmers in computer system design are the ones who are the highest employed in the world. The average annual salary for the men and women working as computer system designers is $77,000. Computer programmers working in computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing firms are offering a salary as high as $100,000. Companies for brokerage, security companies and contract inter-mediation companies are over more than $90,000 to their employed programmers. Software publishing companies are paying programmers a salary as high as $86,000 a year.

Programmers also seem to be getting paid higher salaries based on the amount of experience that they have. Programmers who have less than a year of experience are earning between $35,000 to $50,000. Those programmers with 1 to 4 years of experience are averaging an annual salary of $40,000 to $53,000. Computer programmers with experience of 5 to 9 years are earning $44,000 to $65,000 and those with 10 to 19 years of experience are making as high as $80,000 a year. Those with 20+ years are making over $100,000 a year.

The next factor that determines the salary of a computer programmer is there location. Programmers who work in major cities in the United States such as New York City, Boston, Massachusetts and Los Angeles are getting paid salaries ranging from $70,000 to $85,000. Those working in Phoenix make as high as $65,000 a year, but programmers working in Washington and Massachusetts are really making huge salaries as high as $90,000 a year.

How to Become a Computer Programmer

Computer programmers don’t just create programs for people to use on their computers every day and that is just one aspect to what a computer programmer does. Programmers have the responsibility of writing codes, they have the responsibility of testing programs that already exist, and they tweak and create the manuals for programs so that other programs and people who use the program can understand it. Because of the fact that there is a lot of advanced and constantly changing technology in the field of electronics, there is a lot of fun and rewards for programmers.

The first thing you want to do to become a computer programmer is you need to get a degree in computer programming. Getting this degree is going to help you start working as a network technician, a researcher, a software engineer and it will also help you work in project management which will open up to many other positions. You need to make good use of your coding skills to get into technical and documental writing. Technical writers who are very skilled are becoming more and more in demand for those companies looking for them to do their programming.

Learning how to become a better technical writer is a great skill for programmers to have to further their abilities and talents so that they can work in many different departments in a company. When you have become better in this area, you need to figure out if you want to get into more of computer design rather than just programming. If you want to do computer design also then you have to get a bachelor’s degree in software engineering from a college or university that has an accredited program for you to enter into.

You need to make sure you get started in on-the-job programming training whenever you get a chance and whenever it is offered. I recommend that you get started working in a Quality Assurance department where there is a lot of software development going on. Make sure that you build work relationships with well experienced programmers working around you. Ask questions when you want to because a lot of them are going to be more than happy to help another up and coming programmer.

You need to decide on what programming languages you want to learn because there are a lot to choose from and master. After that you need to learn how to write in these languages and write code. Learn how to write web applications, calendars, widgets and just about anything that is of use on a computer like a calculator. Keep doing this on a daily basis. Learn how to debug programs and design them because these are necessary skills to work as a computer programmer.