What Does a Software Developer Do? (And How to Become One)

Key takeaways

• Software developers design, build, and troubleshoot software applications and computer systems across a variety of industries.

• Whether you choose to teach yourself, pursue a certification, take online courses, or earn a college degree, there are multiple paths that can lead you to success in software development.

• If you're a creative thinker with strong analytical skills who enjoys problem-solving, this dynamic career path may be a great fit.

Use this article to learn more about the skills, responsibilities, and career opportunities available in this fast-growing field. If you're interested in adding AI tools to your software development tool box, consider enrolling in the Gemini for Developers Specialization. In as little as one month, you'll build essential modern development skills like token management, AI agent architecture and deployment, and strategic model selection. Upon completion, you'll earn a career credential that you can use to elevate your resume and boost your professional profile.

What is a software developer?

Software developers use their programming skills to create new software and improve existing software applications. They design and write the code used to build everything from operating systems to mobile apps to video games. In this role, you'd be involved with every stage of the software development life cycle (SDLC), from defining user needs and anticipating user behavior to releasing a complete application. You are likely to work on a team with other software developers, engineers, or computer programmers. 

What is the software development life cycle?

The software development life cycle (SDLC) is a step-by-step framework that guides how software is planned, developed, tested, and maintained. It breaks the process into clear stages such as planning, design, coding, testing, and deployment. This helps teams stay organized and deliver reliable, high-quality software. Whether following a traditional approach like Waterfall or a more flexible method like Agile, the SDLC provides the foundation development teams need for managing software projects effectively.

What does a software developer do?

A software developer's daily routine involves more than just writing code. You will spend much of your time solving problems and collaborating with others to bring technical projects to life. Typical responsibilities include:

• Analyzing requirements: You will look at what users or businesses need to design systems that solve specific problems.

• Mapping out designs: Developers create charts and models that act as instructions for how different parts of a program should connect.

• Testing and debugging: Finding bugs and resolving errors is a major part of the job. You will test programs to make sure they run smoothly and securely.

• Updating software: You will monitor existing applications and build updates to keep them functioning well over time.

• Creating documentation: Keeping clear records of system designs and code helps other team members understand and upgrade the software in the future.

Collaboration is also a key part of the role. You can expect to work closely with project managers, designers, and quality assurance testers to keep projects on track and ensure the final product meets user expectations.

Software developer salary

Software developers in the United States earn a median annual income of $131,450 [1]. Factors that can influence your income as a software developer include industry, company, location, expertise, and experience level. Learn more by referencing the Software Developer Salary Guide.

Software developer jobs

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that demand for software developers will grow by 15 percent between 2024 and 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations [1]. Job titles in this industry can vary depending on expertise and specialization or focus. Here are a few examples of career paths in software development you may pursue depending on your strengths and interests:

• Video game developer

• Full-stack developer

• Blockchain developer

• Back-end developer

• AI developer

• Web developer

• Front-end developer

Software development vs. software engineering

Software developers and engineers perform many of the same functions using many of the same skills. However, software developers tend to focus on designing applications or software for specific systems. They may work on a smaller scale than engineers, focusing on a niche like mobile app development or the Internet of Things (IoT). Software engineers, on the other hand, may orchestrate software architecture as a whole or design larger-scale software solutions. In addition to programming, they may be responsible for tasks related to data analytics, software design, and scaling.

Read more: Software Developer vs. Software Engineer: What are the Differences in These Roles?

How to become a software developer

Here are a few tips that can help you advance toward your goals if you plan to pursue a career in software development. Overall, you'll need to gain hands-on experience, sharpen your analytical skills, and learn more about the software development process.

AI disruption in software development

Artificial intelligence is shifting the industry by automating routine coding and testing tasks. AI-assisted editors like Cursor and GitHub Copilot are quickly becoming standard utilities used to improve efficiency. For entry-level professionals, standing out requires adapting to this new landscape. You can position yourself competitively by learning how to integrate these tools into your daily workflow, which includes mastering how to write precise prompts and carefully verifying AI-generated outputs for accuracy.

While AI excels at generating boilerplate code, it lacks the ability to understand broader business contexts or complex user needs. Creative problem solving remains an essential and irreplaceable human skill. Employers will continue to rely on developers who can think critically to design complex, reliable systems that software alone cannot conceptualize.

Consider earning a degree

Seventy-two percent of software developers earn a bachelor's degree, 20 percent earn a master's degree, and five percent earn an associate degree [2]. Common areas of study include:

• Computer science. A computer science degree combines math, science, and engineering to study and develop everything from software to networks and computers. Many choose to pursue a degree in computer science with the goal of becoming a software engineer, but it also affords opportunities for many other careers in the field. 

• Information technology (IT). Information technology majors study the development of networks, databases, computer systems, web applications, and more. These majors also study the hardware required for all those digital processes. A background in IT can help a hopeful developer gain the skills needed to become a software engineer.

Keep in mind that being a self-taught software developer is also an option.

Do you need a degree to be a software engineer?

Although a degree can be valuable, you don’t need one to enter this career. You may become a software engineer without an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree and instead use your coding and programming skills to gain experience and qualify for a job.

Read more: Popular Software Engineer Certifications

Pros of becoming a software engineer without a degree

• Earlier workforce entry. If you choose to become a software engineer without earning a degree, you may enter the workforce sooner than if you got a formal education. Entering the workforce sooner allows you to make money sooner.  Degree programs may take up to four years to complete before getting a job in your field, and graduating does not guarantee the job you want. Starting your career sooner allows you to learn at your own pace outside of college while gaining more experience in your field of interest.

• Cost-effectiveness. If you want to save money, becoming a software engineer without a degree may be the right choice. Entering the workforce quicker allows you to maximize your earning potential and save money on college tuition, room and board, or commuting costs. You can save this money for attending college later on if you choose to or allocate it to other areas of your life, such as purchasing a home, starting a family, or exploring different career opportunities.

• Learning through experience. When you choose to start your career early instead of going to college, you gain the opportunity to learn through experience. Different jobs and roles can teach you various things, allowing you to gain experience as a software engineer from your job itself rather than through a formal education. This experience will also be included on your resume, allowing future employers to see that you already have work experience in the field. This will improve your chances of getting hired and finding new roles.

Pros of earning a software engineering degree

• Easier entry into the field. Some employers require a degree in software engineering to qualify for the role. Due to this requirement, those with a degree in software engineering may have an easier time getting interviews and eventually securing a job in your field.

• Access to higher-level positions. If you already have a degree in software engineering, you may be eligible for a promotion faster because you already meet the requirements.

• Higher salary potential earlier on. Having a college degree may help you make more money. According to a report from the BLS, those with a degree from a college or university command wages significantly higher than those without one. In 2023, people with a high school diploma made median weekly earnings of $708. In contrast, those with bachelor’s degrees earned $1,493 [1].

• Foundational knowledge. The college experience allows learners to build knowledge and gain many skills needed to succeed in their chosen work line. Since programs intend to teach you everything you need to know about software engineering and computer science, you’ll have the advantage of gaining experience, knowledge, and skills in college before applying them to the workplace.

• Networking opportunities. Attending college alongside other software engineering students lets you network with others in your field. In turn, it helps you make connections that could aid you in finding a suitable job after graduation. 

Expert tip

"If you're interested in starting a side project, think about an application that relates to your hobbies and passions—it's easiest to motivate yourself to work on things that you enjoy," says Katie Van Dyk, a software engineer at Meta. "I also recommend outlining what specific tech or skills you want to learn and designing your project around these."

To practice her skills, Van Dyk created a central place to house all of the menus for eateries around her college campus. "This project was relevant to my daily routine and it involved building a UI in React, which I was aiming to learn more about before my full-time role," she recalls. "It was a great experience to put on my resume and talk about in interviews!"

How to become a software developer without a degree

Pursuing a degree in software engineering may give you more career opportunities. Some employers require software engineers to have a degree as an entry-level requirement, while others may prioritize skills, knowledge, and experience over a college degree. It depends on the role you apply for and the requirements in place for that specific employer.

Learn a programming language.

For a career in software development, you'll need a solid foundation in programming languages. Four you might consider mastering include Java, Python, C++, and Scala. Python is widely considered an easier language to learn, making it a great place to start if you’re new to programming. This object-oriented language is also known for its versatility, with applications in scripting, development, and data analysis.

Looking to learn your first language? Many people start with Python because it's popular, beginner-friendly, and versatile. With the University of Michigan's Python for Everybody Specialization, you can learn Python in as little as two months.

Find your niche.

You can use your skills as a software developer in many areas. If you have a passion for app design, you could choose to develop your skills by practicing building mobile apps. If you'd rather work on the infrastructure of computers and servers, you might specialize as a DevOps engineer instead. And with generative AI (GenAI) a popular field, developing your skills with large language models (LLMs) can be a lucrative career path.

Get started in AI Development today with an industry leader in technology through IBM's AI Developer Professional Certificate program. In as little as six months, you'll learn to use Python to develop and deploy AI applications on the web.

Practice

Need some guidance as you practice? You can complete these Guided Projects in two hours or less (no software downloads required) while completing projects for your developer portfolio:

• Create Your First Multithreaded Application in Java

• Build a Machine Learning Web App with Streamlit and Python

• Make a Postage Calculator with Scala

• Docker Essentials & Building a Containerized Web Application

• Creating Your First C++ Application

How long does it take to become a software developer?

The amount of time it takes to become a software developer will depend on your current skill level, the industry you want to work in, and even the company you want to work for. Regardless of the path you've chosen, consistent practice, building projects, and staying up to date with industry trends are key to becoming job-ready. With commitment to learning, you can learn a programming language in just a few months.

Explore Coursera's free resources for software developers

Stay updated on the latest career trends with our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat! Or, browse our other free resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Software Engineering Roadmap for Beginners (With NO Experience)

• Take the quiz: Web Developer Career Quiz: Is It Right for You? Find Your Role

• Check out the guide: Your Guide to a Successful Career Change to Web Development

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses.

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