Written By
GCE Editorial Team
Unlock your future in tech with a guide to high-impact programming careers tailored for coding enthusiasts. From software development to data science, explore pathways that turn your passion into a profession.
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Approved and verified accurate by the assistant dean of the College of Engineering and Technology on April 8, 2025
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
A computer programmer writes code to create software programs that can be used for countless applications. These professionals also design code using flow charts and UML, test code either at the unit test level or functional level and provide code testing support. The programs written by computer programmers are used by other professionals for a wide variety of purposes.
A developer is a member of the programming team. They perform duties relating to creating, testing and building computer software applications and computer systems. They may also work on optimizing existing software and applications. There are many types of developer careers in coding. Pursuing a degree in software development provides a strong foundation in programming, software development and problem solving, which can equip you with the necessary skills for a career as a developer. With this degree, you can explore various developer roles, from data scientist, software developer, database architect and many others.
There are two main categories of applications: front end and back end. The front end is what the end user (the consumer) will see, whereas the back end involves the coding itself. Full stack development refers to the development of both the front end and the back end of applications. In other words, it requires both coding knowledge and an understanding of user design.
Interested in computer programming careers that involve web development? Web developers are responsible for developing and maintaining websites for their own company or for a roster of clients. They must first develop an understanding of the client’s needs and expectations before designing a functional and aesthetic website. Some websites require special applications, such as a payment processing application.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers had a median annual salary of $84,960 as of May 2023.1
Web and digital interface designers have programming careers similar to those of web developers. Digital designers focus on the interface layout and function, as well as user navigation options. They develop, implement and test the website, ensuring its usability and compatibility. They also focus on a website’s graphics, font type and size.
According to the BLS, web and digital interface designers had a median annual salary of $98,540 as of May 2023.2
Game development is an interesting development task because games can be played on a wide range of devices — from desktops to smartphones to consoles to web browsers. There are also many different types of games, including strategy games and massively multiplayer online roleplaying games (MMORPGs).
There are various specialty areas within game development, such as animation-related software like 3D rendering tools. Game development also encompasses the development of characters and storylines, music, sound effects and world building.
IT systems management refers to the administration of IT systems for an organization. This specialty area involves the entire IT infrastructure, including hardware, software and networks. The goals of IT systems management are to ensure that the technology infrastructure fulfills the needs of the organization and evolves with the organization.
Professionals may need to troubleshoot problems as they arise, monitor the performance of the IT infrastructure, perform updates as needed and develop plans for future IT needs. Although IT systems management doesn’t focus heavily on computer programming, administration professionals sometimes need to write code in order to configure systems or develop customized systems.
Responsible for overseeing the use of technology in an organization or business, the software development manager must understand how to work with computer software, hardware and security. These professionals make decisions regarding the installation and maintenance of electronic devices and manage and implement IT systems. This career in coding involves leading a team of professionals and managing various aspects of each project.
An IT project manager is responsible for overseeing and directing IT projects for an organization. They start by identifying the objectives and parameters of a project and developing timelines for task completion and a budget. They delegate tasks to team members, monitor progress, evaluate quality and troubleshoot problems as needed. To become an IT project manager, you would need a degree in a related subject such as computer science.
The BLS does not track employment data specifically for IT project managers. However, the median annual salary for all types of project management specialists was $98,580 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.4
All organizations need to be proactive about the security of their IT infrastructure. An information security analyst is responsible for developing and implementing cybersecurity measures to protect the organization’s devices, systems and network. They also create incident response plans or disaster recovery plans, which guide the organization in dealing with a cybersecurity incident. A BS in computer science would give you the skills needed to become an information security analyst as well as the ability to branch out to similar careers.
According to the BLS, information security analysts had a median annual salary of $120,360 as of May 2023.5
The roles of software quality assurance analysts and testers go hand-in-hand with that of software developers. Whereas software developers are responsible for creating computer applications, quality assurance analysts and testers design and implement systems that help identify potential problems with the software. They evaluate functionality and usability and pass their findings along to the software developer to address any problems. A degree in computer science will make sure you are prepared for all of the tasks expected of you as a software quality assurance analyst or tester since the skills you learn can be directly translated to it.
An individual computer coding salary for quality assurance analysts and testers is not available from the BLS. However, combined, software quality assurance analysts and testers had a median annual salary of $101,800 as of May 2023.6
If you have a passion for technology and an interest in computer programming, there are many different programming careers you might consider pursuing. Having trouble choosing one? Develop a shortlist of your favorite options and then spend some additional time researching what those careers entail, what the career requirements are and what you can expect from the career pathway. Some options to consider include roles in development, data science and information technology (IT) management.
Data science is a multidisciplinary field that brings together elements of informatics, statistics, data analysis, artificial intelligence and, of course, programming. It involves collecting and cleaning vast amounts of data and then analyzing them. Programming skills are essential for data science because they allow for the development of models and the automation of certain tasks.
The main objective of a data scientist is to turn raw data into meaningful insights. To accomplish this, they use various analytical tools and techniques. Some of their specific tasks include:
A degree in computer science can be a good pathway to a career as a data scientist because with this degree you will learn the technical skills that are needed to collect, categorize and analyze data effectively.
According to the BLS, data scientists had a median annual salary of $108,020 as of May 2023.3
Machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence (AI), involves training computers to learn from data and automatically improve themselves based on the data without further programming from the user. Machine learning plays an important role in data science.
Data science often involves the use of machine learning to classify data and organize datasets. Machine learning allows data science professionals to identify patterns, as well, and this can lead to meaningful insights.
AI research involves the study of how computers can learn, process information and develop logical decisions based on that information. To conduct AI research, professionals design, develop and test algorithms and models. They may also look for ways of incorporating AI elements into existing systems. A foundation of programming proficiencies propels AI research.
Grand Canyon University strives to prepare students to make a meaningful impact as innovators and servant leaders. The College of Engineering and Technology is pleased to offer many computer science and programming degree options. Speak with a university counselor by filling out the form on this page.
