Career Paths From Computer Programmers

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Software DevelopersLateral Move93.8% skill match
Computer Programmers and Software Developers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Software Developers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 35% higher.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$135,980
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Database AdministratorsLateral Move93% skill match
Computer Programmers and Database Administrators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Database Administrators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 4% higher.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$104,620
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Database ArchitectsLateral Move91.8% skill match
Computer Programmers and Database Architects share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Database Architects sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 39% higher.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$139,500
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersLateral Move87.5% skill match
Computer Programmers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (88% match). Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 4% higher.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$104,300
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Computer and Information Research ScientistsAdvancement86.7% skill match
Computer Programmers and Computer and Information Research Scientists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (87% match). Computer and Information Research Scientists is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 40% higher.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$140,300
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Web DevelopersLateral Move91.8% skill match
Computer Programmers and Web Developers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Web Developers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 8% lower.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$92,650
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Aerospace EngineersCareer Change96.1% skill match
Computer Programmers and Aerospace Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Aerospace Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 34% higher.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$134,960
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Medical DosimetristsCareer Change92.9% skill match
Computer Programmers and Medical Dosimetrists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Medical Dosimetrists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 47% higher.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$147,470
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
PhysicistsCareer Change91.3% skill match
Computer Programmers and Physicists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Physicists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 72% higher.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$172,250
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
StatisticiansAdvancement86.7% skill match
Computer Programmers and Statisticians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (87% match). Statisticians is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 5% higher.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$105,650
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Social Science Research AssistantsCareer Change89.6% skill match
Computer Programmers and Social Science Research Assistants share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Social Science Research Assistants is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 38% lower.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$61,990
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Statistical AssistantsCareer Change86.6% skill match
Computer Programmers and Statistical Assistants share a similar Transferable Skills profile (87% match). Statistical Assistants is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 50% lower.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$50,330
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Architectural and Civil DraftersCareer Change92.8% skill match
Computer Programmers and Architectural and Civil Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Architectural and Civil Drafters is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 34% lower.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$66,150
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Mechanical DraftersCareer Change90.6% skill match
Computer Programmers and Mechanical Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Mechanical Drafters is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 4). Median salary is about 29% lower.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$71,550
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Computer Systems AnalystsLateral Move0% skill match
Computer Programmers and Computer Systems Analysts share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Computer Systems Analysts sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 5% higher.
Current median salary
$100,390
Target median salary
$105,850
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.