Career Paths From Software Developers

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 Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersLateral Move93.2% skill match
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% 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 23% lower.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$104,300
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Computer Systems AnalystsLateral Move90.2% skill match
Software Developers and Computer Systems Analysts share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Computer Systems Analysts sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 22% lower.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$105,850
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Database AdministratorsLateral Move91.8% skill match
Software Developers and Database Administrators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Database Administrators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 23% lower.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$104,620
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Database ArchitectsLateral Move97.2% skill match
Software Developers and Database Architects share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Database Architects sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 3% higher.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$139,500
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Computer ProgrammersLateral Move93.8% skill match
Software Developers and Computer Programmers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Computer Programmers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 26% lower.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$100,390
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Web DevelopersLateral Move94.3% skill match
Software Developers and Web Developers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% 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 32% lower.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$92,650
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Information Security AnalystsLateral Move90.9% skill match
Software Developers and Information Security Analysts share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Information Security Analysts sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 5% lower.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$129,180
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Aerospace EngineersCareer Change96.6% skill match
Software Developers and Aerospace Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Aerospace Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$134,960
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and InspectorsCareer Change90% skill match
Software Developers and Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 15% lower.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$115,160
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Architectural and Civil DraftersCareer Change92.9% skill match
Software Developers 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 51% lower.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$66,150
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Mechanical DraftersCareer Change94.7% skill match
Software Developers and Mechanical Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% 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 47% lower.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$71,550
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Electrical and Electronics DraftersCareer Change89.6% skill match
Software Developers and Electrical and Electronics Drafters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Electrical and Electronics 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 43% lower.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$76,870
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
3
Computer Network ArchitectsLateral Move0% skill match
Software Developers and Computer Network Architects share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Computer Network Architects sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$134,050
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Computer Hardware EngineersLateral Move0% skill match
Software Developers and Computer Hardware Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Computer Hardware Engineers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 19% higher.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$161,740
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Computer and Information Systems ManagersLateral Move0% skill match
Software Developers and Computer and Information Systems Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Computer and Information Systems Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 29% higher.
Current median salary
$135,980
Target median salary
$175,140
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.