jobfacts

Software developer

Programmers and software development professionals — SOC 2020 2134

Programmers and software development professionals design, develop, test, implement and maintain software systems on a range of platforms in order to meet the specifications and business objectives of the information system; they also design and develop specialist software e.g. for computer games.

Also calledProgrammerApp developerApp designerMobile app developerApplication developerE-learning developerand 156 more titles
Typical full-time pay£56,9002025 Provisional
People in the job543,000across the UK
Demand for workersElevated
New adverts a month9,700↑ 15%on last year · 7th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025

Half of full-time software developers earn between £42,300 and £75,800 a year.

What full-time software developers earn, 2025
£56,900 typical£32,800lowest 10%£75,80075%£102,900top 10%
Middle half (£42,300–£75,800)
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less than£32,800
Lowest 20% earn less than£39,100
25%£42,300
Median£56,900
75%£75,800
Top 20% earn more than£82,500
Top 10% earn more than£102,900
Typical pay by regionUK median £56,900
London£75,300
East of England£61,000
North East!£56,300
South West£53,400
South East£52,800
North West£50,300
East Midlands£49,700
West Midlands£49,100
Scotland!£48,900
Wales!£48,300
Yorkshire and The Humber!£47,900
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £56,900
London£75,300
East of England£61,000
North East£56,300 (small sample)
South West£53,400
South East£52,800
North West£50,300
East Midlands£49,700
West Midlands£49,100
Scotland£48,900 (small sample)
Wales£48,300 (small sample)
Yorkshire and The Humber£47,900 (small sample)
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £50,100
  • 2024 £54,600
  • 2025 Provisional£56,900
↑ 14% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 9,700 jobs for software developers are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as elevated.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (1 in all)
Show as table
Aug 202611,591
Jul 20269,177
Jun 202614,641
May 202610,232
Apr 20267,249
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 20266,619
Jan 20269,521
Dec 20255,222
Nov 202512,592
Oct 202510,213
Sept 20259,404
Aug 20257,744
Jul 20259,892
Jun 202512,215
May 202512,689
Apr 20257,997
Mar 20259,700
Feb 20258,952
Jan 20257,196
Dec 20244,754
Nov 20246,738
Oct 20247,219
Sept 20247,604
Aug 20247,352
Jul 20248,404
Jun 20247,780
May 20249,123
Apr 20249,168
Mar 20248,820
Feb 20249,540
Jan 202412,467
Dec 202310,583
Nov 202310,015
Oct 202310,885
Sept 202310,130
Aug 202314,362
Jul 202314,683
Jun 202318,059
May 202317,787
Apr 202315,409
Mar 202321,905
Feb 202325,118
Jan 202325,269
Dec 202226,916
Nov 202229,389
Oct 202230,836
Sept 202231,327
Aug 202230,213
Jul 202229,907
Jun 202230,608
May 202235,107
Apr 202228,545
Mar 202233,693
Feb 202232,214
Jan 202233,969
Dec 202127,810
Nov 202127,935
Oct 202130,219
Sept 202128,462
Aug 202128,940
Jul 202134,539
Jun 202130,533
May 202139,092
Apr 202134,231
Mar 202137,380
Feb 202126,470
Jan 202131,364
Dec 202022,406
Nov 202023,476
Oct 202026,894
Sept 202024,139
Aug 202021,297
Jul 202020,694
Jun 202019,996
May 202018,353
Apr 202024,496
Mar 202037,189
Feb 202036,446
Jan 202033,564
Dec 201925,707
Nov 201935,218
Oct 201933,685
Sept 201933,881
Aug 201936,645
Jul 201945,850
Jun 201949,972
May 201945,108
Apr 201928,529
Mar 201933,014
Feb 201931,142
Jan 201932,660
Dec 201821,599
Nov 201830,479
Oct 201830,226
Sept 201831,682
Aug 201830,651
Jul 201834,444
Jun 201834,383
May 201834,891
Apr 201833,616
Mar 201836,971
Feb 201835,402
Jan 201840,812
Dec 201730,858
Nov 201736,473
Oct 201739,915
Sept 201730,885
Aug 201731,980
Jul 201729,317
Jun 201737,081
May 201740,812
Apr 201736,297
Mar 201739,868
Feb 201732,599
Jan 201742,428
Is there a shortage of software developers?
Elevated

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment; in 2024 it was critical.

  • Visas grantedWell above usual
  • Online job advertsAbove usual
  • Wage growthAbove usual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedAbove usual
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
8.3%against 27% for all jobs
DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London8,279
Manchester1,399
Bristol, City of838
Leeds789
Birmingham774
Glasgow City690
Cambridge600
Newcastle upon Tyne564
City of Edinburgh489
Nottingham474
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where software developers are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. 4,089 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026, most to people from India, United States, Russia, ranking it 4th of 313. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of software developers
7.2%!
39%
26%
18%
8.3%
1.4%!
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
16–247.2% (small sample)
25–3439%
35–4426%
45–5418%
55–648.3%
65+1.4% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent78%
Higher education below degree4.6%
A levels or equivalent10%
GCSEs or equivalent3.9%
Other qualifications!1.9%
No qualifications!0.4%
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent78%
Higher education below degree4.6%
A levels or equivalent10%
GCSEs or equivalent3.9%
Other qualifications1.9% (small sample)
No qualifications0.4% (small sample)

Main employers: computer programming activities (26%), computer consultancy activities (18%), general public administration activities (2.9%), other monetary intermediation (2.9%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
78%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
5
from level 4, including degree apprenticeships
Apprenticeships take
18 months to 4 years
typically

Routes in

Software developer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or a degree in:

  • computer science
  • information technology
  • software development
  • financial technology
  • software engineering
  • maths
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills needed to get a trainee position, or to move onto further study. Courses include:

  • computing
  • computer science
  • programming
  • principles of coding
  • T Level in Digital Software Development
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Software and Data Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
  • Software Development Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Software Developer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • DevOps Engineer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Digital and Technology Solutions Professional L6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Game Programmer Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More about this route
Foundation apprenticeship

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

  • have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
  • are in care or have been in care
  • are in prison or have been in prison

Other routes

You may be able to apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with an IT company, if you have a degree.

These are often open to graduates of any subject, not just people with a degree in a computing.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

You could build up your skills and knowledge using online learning resources for:

  • programming languages
  • project management
  • software development methods
Further information

You can find out more about careers in software development and engineering from:

  • The Chartered Institute for IT
  • techskills
  • GOV.UK
  • This is Engineering

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for software developer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

App developer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • computer science
  • software engineering
  • computer applications development
  • mathematics
  • financial technology

Some employers may also look for a postgraduate qualification in computing or a related subject.

You could sign up to do a free UCAS Subject Spotlight to learn more about computer science and software development.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with an app development company, such as:

  • Software Developer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Creative Digital Design Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Digital User Experience (UX) Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More about this route
Foundation apprenticeship

You may be able to start in a junior or assistant role by doing a Software and Data Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship.

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

  • have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
  • are in care or have been in care
  • are in prison or have been in prison

Other routes

You may be able to apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with a company if you have a degree.

These are open to IT graduates and sometimes others with a non-computing degree. You would start as a junior developer and get training on the job in all aspects of the development process.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

You can build up your skills and knowledge, using online learning resources for programming languages and apps development.

A good understanding of mobile operating systems, such as Android and iOS, will be helpful.

You'll also find it useful to understand agile project management, as this is often used by companies working on IT development projects.

Professional and industry bodies

You can find professional development and training opportunities with The Chartered Institute for IT and the Institution of Analysts and Programmers.

Further information

You can find out more about working and training in computing from techskills.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for app developer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

E-learning developer

You can get into this job through:

University

You can do a foundation degree or degree in:

  • computing
  • multimedia design
  • educational technology

If you already have a degree or relevant work experience, you can do a postgraduate qualification in e-learning technology.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

College

You could do a college course, which may lead onto more advanced qualifications or a higher apprenticeship, or help you to get a trainee position with a company.

Courses include:

  • computing
  • programming
  • web design and development
  • T Level in Digital Software Development
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a Digital Learning Designer Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

This can take around 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work your way up

You could start out as a junior developer or e-learning assistant, if you've got computing A levels or equivalent. You'll also need a working knowledge of web design software.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

Blackboard Learn and Moodle are used a lot by education institutions so an understanding of how these work will be useful.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Learning and Performance Institute for professional development opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about the e-learning industry through The Learning Network.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for e-learning developer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Web developer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • web design and development
  • computer science
  • digital media development
  • software engineering
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You can take a college course that might help you get a trainee developer job.

Courses include:

  • computing
  • web design and development
  • software development
  • T Level in Digital Software Development
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Software Development Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Software Developer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
  • Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work your way up

You might be able to start as a junior developer and do training on the job.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

You could build up your skills and knowledge using online learning resources for:

  • programming languages
  • project management
  • software development methods
Further information

You can get more advice about working in computing from:

  • TechSkills
  • IT PathFinder
  • The Chartered Institute for IT

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for web developer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Computer games developer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in:

  • computer games design
  • computer games development
  • computer science
  • interactive media
  • mathematics

If you'd like a job that includes game design as well as programming, you could do a foundation degree or degree in a subject like animation or graphic design.

You may have an advantage when you look for work if you do a degree that includes a work placement.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course before moving on to a higher level qualification. It may help you to get a trainee position with a development company.

Courses include:

  • computing
  • creative media and games development
  • T Level in Digital Software Development
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Higher Apprenticeship to get into this career, such as:

  • Software Developer Level 4
  • Junior VFX Artist or Assistant Technical Director Level 4
  • Game Programmer Level 7 - postgraduate level
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More about this route
Foundation apprenticeship

You may be able to start in a junior or assistant developer role by doing a Software and Data Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship.

You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.

If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:

  • have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
  • are in care or have been in care
  • are in prison or have been in prison

Work your way up

You could start with a company as a games tester if you play a lot of games.

You'll usually need a computing qualification or some relevant work experience. Employers will also be interested in your talent and creative ideas.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

You can create a portfolio of work or online demo to highlight your skills to potential employers.

You can get information on how to start creating your own games from Into Games.

You can also search for games companies and educational institutions, offering courses in digital gaming, on the UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE) games map.

Further information

You can get more advice about working in games development from ScreenSkills and Into Games.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for computer games developer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

User experience (UX) designer

You can get into this job through:

University

You could do a higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate award in:

  • UX design
  • product design
  • graphic design
  • human computer interaction (HCI)
  • digital media and web design
Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

College

You could do a college course, which may lead on to more advanced qualifications, or help you to get a trainee position with a company.

Courses include:

  • digital media design
  • digital product design
  • T Level in Digital Software Development
Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Digital User Experience (UX) Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

You may also find a Digital Accessibility Specialist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship useful for this job.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Other ways in

Volunteering

If you're working in an organisation that conducts user research, you could get work experience by volunteering to help in research sessions and user interviews.

You could also get involved with the online user experience community for advice and tips, and to find a mentor to help you.

Apply directly

You can apply directly to companies or go through an agency that specialises in providing digital design professionals to clients.

You'll need qualifications and relevant experience to do this.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

You'll find it useful to have:

  • knowledge of coding like HTML , CSS and JavaScript so you can build wireframes and prototypes
  • experience of using design software like Adobe Creative Suite
  • an understanding of agile project development methods

It will also help if you have a portfolio to showcase examples of your work.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a user experience (UX) designer from techskills.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for user experience (ux) designer. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Apprenticeships

5 for this job
Level 6About 4 yearsDegree

High integrity software engineer

You gain
bachelor honours degree in software engineering (BEng), computer science (BSc), or other…
Leads to
The Royal Aeronautical Society
Employers may ask for
Typically an apprentice might be expected to have already achieved academic qualifications of 96* UCAS points or above at A-Level standard or equivalent, to…
Details on Skills England
Level 6About 4 yearsDegree

Digital and technology solutions professional

You gain
Digital and Technology Solutions Professional
Leads to
British Computer Society
Details on Skills England

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Other qualifications

QualificationTypeLevel
CertHE in Software EngineeringHigher technical4
Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) Software DevelopmentHigher technical4
Certificate of Higher Education in Software DeveloperHigher technical4
Certificate of Higher Education Software DevelopmentHigher technical4
Digital Modular Programme in Software DevelopmentHigher technical4
HNC ComputingHigher technical4
HNC Software Development (Computing)Higher technical4
Level 4 Diploma In ComputingHigher technical4
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in MedTech for EnglandHigher technical4
Certificate of Higher Education in Technical Practice in Software DevelopmentHigher technical5
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) Software DeveloperHigher technical5
Diploma of Higher Education in Software DevelopmentHigher technical5
FD ComputingHigher technical5
FD Software DevelopmentHigher technical5
FdSc ComputingHigher technical5
FdSc ComputingHigher technical5
FdSc Digital and Technology SolutionsHigher technical5
FdSc Software DeveloperHigher technical5
FdSc Software DevelopmentHigher technical5
FdSc Software DevelopmentHigher technical5
Foundation Degree of Science (FdSc) in Computer ScienceHigher technical5
Foundation Degree Software DevelopmentHigher technical5
Foundation Degree Software EngineeringHigher technical5
Foundation Degree: FD Computing and Digital TechnologiesHigher technical5
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing for EnglandHigher technical5
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Digital Technologies for EnglandHigher technical5
Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in MedTech for EnglandHigher technical5

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • examines existing software and determines requirements for new/modified systems in the light of business needs
  • undertakes feasibility study to design software solutions
  • writes and codes individual programs according to specifications
  • develops user interfaces
  • tests and corrects software programs
  • writes code for specialist programming for computer games, (for example, artificial intelligence, 3D engine development)
  • implements and evaluates the software
  • plans and maintains database structures
  • writes operational documentation and provides subsequent support and training for users
  • develops website and website interfaces and establishes methods to ensure appropriate website security and recovery

Skills

  • develop software prototype
  • analyse software specifications
  • create flowchart diagram

Knowledge

  • computer programming
  • ABAP
  • AJAX
  • APL
  • ASP.NET
  • Assembly (computer programming)
  • C#
  • C++

Suits people who like

  • Organising and following procedures
  • Working with ideas and solving problems

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for science, research, engineering and technology professionals, a group of 28 jobs that includes software developers.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↑ 18%about 394,000 more jobs
Workers needed by 20351.3 millionincluding people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.