How Much Do Coders Make? Coding Salary Guide for 6 Types of Coders

Jobs in the technology sector are appealing for a number of reasons. As the industry continues to grow, it continues to offer a wide range of lucrative jobs, many of which require coding experience. For anyone considering a career in tech, or looking to switch careers, coding is an incredibly lucrative, practical, and versatile skill to develop. Even kids are learning to code these days! 

As we will discuss in this article, coding careers are lucrative, stable, and growing — but how much do coders make? Whether you want to build apps or manage databases, understanding  coding salaries is important. We’ve outlined the average salary for a number of top coding jobs, as well as the current demand for each of them. It’s important to note that coding salaries will depend on your experience and specialization. An entry-level computer programmer salary, for example, will be lower than that of someone who has worked in the field for five years.

Types of Coding Jobs

There is a wide variety of coding jobs out there, and they all require a different combination of knowledge and skills. Before you pursue a career in coding, understanding what your career options are will help you understand which opportunities interest you most and will help tailor your education to the right role for you. Once you’re clear on your objective, a coding bootcamp can help prepare you for your future profession with the in-demand skills, practical knowledge, and professional portfolio you need to succeed .

Computer Programmer | Web Developer | Software Developer | Data Scientist | Database Administrator | UX Designer

Computer Programmer 

Computer programming is one of the most straightforward coding careers. Computer programmers write and test the code that makes websites and software properly function. They also have to update existing programs, identify any errors in existing code, and turn program designs into instructions that a computer can follow. Anyone looking to become a programmer should learn a variety of coding languages to maximize their skill set and flexibility as a job candidate.

Web Developer

Web developers are the ones who build and maintain the websites you visit every day (like this one). They determine the aesthetic of a website and decide how it will function. To become a web developer, you’ll need to be well versed in a number of programming languages (like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, for starters).

Back end web developers create the technology necessary for a website to operate — specifically, all the coding users don’t see but is integral to website functionality. They use an array of server-side languages like Ruby and Python, as well as MySQL, Oracle, and SQL servers to create, manage, and communicate data. 

Front end web developers use code to create the design, technology, and programming creating a website’s aesthetic. They are also concerned with the user-facing aspects of the website and also take care of any user bugs that may appear.

Full stack web developers are professionals skilled in both front end and back end web development. These jobs are especially prevalent at startups or smaller companies that don’t have the resources to employ an entire team of specialized developers.

Software Developer

Software developers build computer software and apps, and they generally focus on consumer-facing products. This means they have to understand user needs, market demands, how to use software to create solutions, and then how to monitor and modify these products as needed. These jobs involve a significant amount of coding, as software developers need to outline and build the necessary code for the apps and software they’ve been tasked to design. This job also requires a healthy dose of soft skills and creativity as well. Software developers hold highly collaborative positions that translate vision into reality.

Data Scientist

Data science is one of the more technical fields accessible to coders. Data scientists extract and transform raw data into meaningful insights, with coders in these roles utilizing data mining, data modeling, machine learning, and natural language processing to achieve these goals. Furthermore, these professionals are responsible for visualizing, interpreting, and reporting key data findings. These jobs are in high demand thanks to their varied responsibilities combining software engineering, coding, statistical analysis, and data visualization. 

Programming languages like Python, SQL, R, and Java are useful in these roles to create algorithms and develop models that facilitate machine learning and other advanced objectives.

Database Administrator

A database administrator must ensure that the databases a company uses are running smoothly and that the data is in the best condition possible. Specifically, administrators must ensure that data is “clean” (e.g., free of corrupt/inaccurate records), complete (e.g., not missing data, complete data records), and appropriate (e.g., high quality, usable for intended purposes).

Database administrators create, manage, and organize the systems that store many different types of data and ensure that those who need to access that data can do so efficiently. In this way, they work closely with data scientists since these professionals often need to access the data sets in question. And, database administrators must be well-trained in coding languages to build and administer their databases. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these professionals also ensure that organizational data is secure. They work to prevent data loss, ensure databases are running smoothly without flaws, and manage necessary modifications to databases.

UX Designer

A UX designer, or user experience designer, focuses on how a user will interact with a website’s or app’s interface. We’ve all visited a website that made us feel like we had to jump through hoops or answer elaborate riddles just to find a simple answer. A UX designer’s job is to avoid that situation at all costs. They ensure that navigating an app feels logical, smooth, and easy. They try to anticipate a user’s questions and ideas before the user even has them. Since they build a site’s user experience from the ground up, designers should have a strong coding background and high-level problem-solving and design thinking skills.

Coding Salary

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in coding, a good place to start is a beginner’s guide to becoming a coder. Of course, you’ll want to understand not just what career paths are available to you, but also how much those careers potentially can earn. Your salary will depend on the company you’re working for, how long you’ve been working in the field, and any specialized skills that you’ve developed. Let’s take a look at some of the potential salaries for the types of coding we’ve discussed.

How Much Do Computer Programmers Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary in the U.S. for a computer programmer in 2020 was $89,190. However, Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights™ 2020 found the average computer programmer’s salary to be approximately $79,936, which also accounts for entry-level computer programmer positions as well.

How Much Do Web Developers Make?

The BLS indicates the median salary for a web developer is slightly lower than that of a computer programmer, coming in around $77,200. Entry-level wages are also slightly lower, with the lowest 10 percent of salaries having a median of $40,750 in 2020. The upper range was similar to that of computer programmers, meaning there is a similar level of mobility and earnings potential for more experienced workers.

How Much Do Software Developers Make? 

Software developers are very well paid, with high entry-level salaries and high earnings potential. According to the BLSs, the median salary for a software developer in 2020 was $110,140, and the lower range of salaries in the tenth percentile (entry level) had a median of $65,210. 

How Much Do Data Scientists Make?

Data science is a very lucrative industry, thanks in part to the more technical aspects of the job. According to the BLS, the median salary for a data scientist is $98,230. 

How Much Do Database Administrators Make?

According to Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights™ 2020, the average salary for database administrators in the U.S. is $87,016 for workers with 3-5 years of experience. 

How Much Do UX Designers Make?

UX designers have solid earning potential. According to the BLS, the 2020 median national salary for a UX designer was $77,200.

Gain the skills you need to succeed in these coding professions with The Coding Boot Camp at UT Austin. Learn more and begin preparing for a new career today.

Are Programmers in Demand?

Salary isn’t the only data point to seek out when considering a new career. You’ll also want to understand the longevity of a given career and how in-demand it is. Coders and programmers don’t just earn a good salary, they also have jobs that will be in high demand for a long time as tech remains the central aspect of many industries. In fact, coding is such a quickly growing profession that even kids should learn how to code. Below, we’ve outlined the job outlook for seven popular careers in coding. 

Computer Programmer Job Outlook

Computer programming is an incredibly popular and in-demand job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are nearly 10,000 job openings a year in the field. Demand for computer programmers is anticipated to remain strong as many different companies and organizations need this type of worker, though this field may not experience the exponential increases it has over the past decade.

Web Developer Job Outlook

Web development is growing faster than other fields — 13 percent between 2020 and 2030, according to the BLS. This increase stems from the fact that e-commerce continues to expand amidst the proliferation of mobile apps. And, over the next decade, there will likely be about 18,000 available jobs per year in this career, making it a strong option for those interested in coding who are seeking an in-demand career.

Software Developer Job Outlook

Software developers have an even stronger job outlook than web developers over the next decade. The BLS predicts an amazing 22 percent growth in job opportunities. Thanks to the huge number of apps currently in development, software developers are in high demand. Their knowledge of a wide variety of coding languages, especially Python, is a significant driver of the anticipated demand over the next decade. 

Data Scientist Job Outlook

Data scientists are in great demand, and that demand won’t be slowing down any time soon. The BLS predicts that these jobs will increase 22 percent over the next decade, with an estimated 34,300 job openings each year alone. As the demand for tech products grows, the demand for data scientists — who turn data into technology — is anticipated to grow in tandem.

Database Administrator Job Outlook

Database administration jobs are growing on par with national projected job growth at a predicted rate of 8 percent between 2020 and 2030. The BLS predicts that there will be 13,900 job openings in this field each year. This growth is expected due to companies’ increasing need for well-organized data across industries. 

UX Designer

Demand for UX designers is high thanks to the competitiveness of the design market and consumer expectations. Companies always want their products to solve customer problems in an intuitive, seamless manner which is a UX designer’s primary responsibility. These roles are anticipated to increase 13 percent over the next decade, according to the BLS. 

Ready to Earn a Coder Salary? Begin a Coding Bootcamp Today

It’s clear that careers in coding aren’t just lucrative — they’re also in high demand, thanks to the never-ending growth of the tech sector and the need for coding-related roles in non-tech companies. If you’re interested in pursuing one of these careers, an important first step is learning to code, and the best and easiest way to do that is through a coding bootcamp. These bootcamps are flexible, fast, and focused on results. They strive to place you in a job that will help you start your coding career as soon as possible. There’s no time like the present to get started!