Software Developers and Programmers
On this page
Job description
These individuals create, integrate, and experiment with computer code to develop various software and applications (websites, games, movies, etc.). They work for:
- Software development companies
- IT consulting firms
- Private and public sector IT services
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
Main tasks
- Create, integrate, and test software code.
- Program animation and special effects software.
- Update existing computer programs.
- Identify and communicate technical problems, establish procedures, and implement solutions.
- Draft reports and manuals on software operation and maintenance.
- Participate in the identification and documentation of user needs.
- Assist in the development of logical and technical specifications of the applications developed.
- Consult with staff to clarify the objective of the program, identify problems, and suggest modifications.
- Research and evaluate software, as required.
Advancement and mobility
- Post-secondary education and specific experience are required to specialize in scientific application programming and engineering.
- Experience leads to supervisory and management positions.
Hourly wage
The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.- Minimum
- $29.00
- Median
- $46.15
- Maximum
- $67.30
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
All of Québec
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
All of Québec
Gender distribution
All of Québec
- 15% Female
- 85% Male
- 15% Female
- 85% Male
Job types
All of Québec
- Full time
- Part time
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
-
NAICS 541550% of jobs
-
NAICS 5114% of jobs
-
NAICS 521, 522, 523, 5266% of jobs
-
NAICS 5416, 54174% of jobs
-
NAICS 913% of jobs
-
Others23% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 541550% of jobs
-
NAICS 5114% of jobs
-
NAICS 521, 522, 523, 5266% of jobs
-
NAICS 5416, 54174% of jobs
-
NAICS 913% of jobs
-
Others23% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
College
DCS in techniques d'intégration multimédia
Placement rate: 58.1%
35.7% of graduates pursue further studies
University
Computer science
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 88.4%
7.2% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 82.3%
13.5% of graduates pursue further studies
- École de technologie supérieure
- École polytechnique de Montréal
- Bishop's University
- Concordia University
- Université de Montréal
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
- Université du Québec en Outaouais
- Université du Québec à Montréal
- Université du Québec à Rimouski
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Université Laval
- McGill University
- TÉLUQ
Electrical, electronic or communications engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 81.4%
14.1% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 72.3%
18.5% of graduates pursue further studies
- École de technologie supérieure
- École polytechnique de Montréal
- Concordia University
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
- Université du Québec en Outaouais
- Université du Québec à Montréal
- Université du Québec à Rimouski
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Université Laval
- McGill University
- Institut national de recherche scientifique
Software, computer or computer construction engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 82.1%
16.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 83.9%
12.9% of graduates pursue further studies
Sometimes required
- Computer programming experience is usually required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Programing
- Information processing
- Data collection
- Written expression
- Technological design
- Active listening
- Critical thought
- Solving complex problems
- Quality control analysis
- Mathematics
- System analysis
- Reading comprehension
- Monitoring operations
- Judgment and decision-making
- Active learning
- Operation analysis
- Systems evaluation
- Oral expression
- Time management
- Coordination
- Result evaluation
Abilities
- Deductive reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Near vision
- Awareness of issues
- Information organization
- Information processing speed
- Verbal skills
- Perception speed
- Written expression
- Speech recognition
- Selective attention
- Basic numeracy
- Speech clarity
- Mathematical reasoning
- Idea generation
- Originality
- Processing flexibility
Knowledge and attributes
- Capacity to work under pressure
- Autonomy
- Sense of responsibility
- Capacity to adapt
- Capacity to work in a team
- Knowledge of computer science, digital and electronics
- Creativity
- Desire to upgrade one’s competencies
- Learning speed
- Knowledge of design
Interests
- Work with numbers
- Work in an office
- Create, design
- Work in computer science or information and communication technologies (ICT)
- Conduct tests and trials, control processes
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Artistic
- People with this profile prefer to express their emotions and thoughts through various art forms. They like to use their imagination.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Official name of the NOC 21232
Software developers and programmers
Job titles
- Application programmer
- Software developer
- Mobile applications developer
- Cloud developer
- Software development programmer
- Software development project manager
- Computer game developer
- Graphical user interface (gui) designer
- Electronic business (e-business) software developer
- Electronic commerce (e-commerce) software developer
- Interactive media developer
- Multimedia developer
- Animation programmer
- Special effects programmer
- Computer game programmer
- Software programmer
- Teleprocessing software programmer
- Interactive media programmer
- Multimedia programmer
- Artificial intelligence programmer
- Graphics programmer
Skill type
Management
Last update: January 29, 2026