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Information TechnologyTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Software Developer, Applications

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

Annual openings

3,620

Median wage

$138,390

Typical education

Bachelor's degree, though this is often waived with the right work experience.

Growth 2026–2032

+14%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree, though this is often waived with the right work experience.

Credential requirement

Getting certified in coding languages or applications can usually help you get a job – however, it’s important to understand which certifications employers want to see on your resume. You can do this by looking at current job postings to see what certifications employers are requiring.

Credential detail

Same as Junior Software Developer

Work experience

One to three years as a Junior Software Developer, Application or significant experience in a related occupation.

Experience detail

Experience in the appropriate application development environment/toolset is preferred. A portfolio of software previously created is also valued.

Training

Training in the appropriate or similar application development environment/toolset is often required. For some jobs, a Bachelor's degree or graduation from a respected software developer program/bootcamp will be required.

Work-based learning

This job has been identified by employers as a key feeder role into a Cybersecurity career.

Remote work

Some companies (information technology companies for example) and jobs (such as call center support) offer the opportunity for staff to work remotely, including from rural locations. To see if a job offers this opportunity, please review job postings from job banks such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed or ConnectingColorado, and look for key words such as "location independent", "remote", "virtual", "telecommute", "flex" or for companies posting the same job in many locations.

Employer competency information

  • Programming — Writing computer programs for various purposes; able to write programs that build toward a goal, stay within defined requirements and project scope, and meet quality expectations; ideally, understands how a given program creates business value and helps end-users and directs project to maximize value and end-user impact.
  • Problem Solving & Decision Making — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions; able to decompose problems into smaller, interrelated sub-components; able to iterate over time and improve; ability to estimate key parameters (e.g., time, quality, cost) and make recommendations informed by these estimates.
  • Critical & Analytical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems; able to critically assess the approach currently being used and adjust to improve; open to change; able to independently propose new solutions and approaches; considers tradeoffs (e.g., cost, time, quality) when proposing ideas.
  • Lifelong Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem solving and decision making; open to learning; not afraid of failing (“failing fast is just as important as getting things right”); comfortable with ambiguity and interested and able to embrace new things (e.g., languages, teamwork styles).
  • Planning & Organizing — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions; able to improve overall team performance and think through how individual decisions impact broader team; aware of overall team goals and context, not being too absorbed in personal work; writes code others can read and maintain; able to ask questions, take criticism, and share failures openly.
Got an Associate's Degree and certifications? LinkedIn identified that new Cybersecurity job holders were 3 times more likely to hold an Associate's degree than the average US worker. Getting an Associate's degree and obtaining in-demand industry certifications can be a good pathway into a Cybersecurity career.
Developers come from a variety of different backgrounds, including directly from education and training programs that focus on coding and development skills. Employers agree that the strongest candidates bring a combination of technical skills and an understanding of broader business functions of IT, including customer-facing sides of the business. For example, some employers describe hiring developers from IT service roles such as IT Support, Help Desk, or other customer-facing roles that involve implementation of IT. In addition, several businesses identified quality assurance as a pathway into development and integration. Database administrators or data analysts can also successfully move into development roles.
Cloud Services, such as Amazon Web Services, are in demand, including being able to develop for the cloud with security in mind.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerYes
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsNo

Interests it draws on

  • Technology
  • Software Development

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
  2. Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
  3. Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
  4. Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.
  5. Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.
  6. Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.

Also includes

Specializations that share this occupation’s labor-market data.

  • Junior Software Developer, Applications
  • Senior Software Developer, Applications
  • Junior Software Developer, Systems
  • Software Developer, Systems
  • Senior Software Developer, Systems
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