Computer Systems Developers and Programmers
Job description
These individuals create, integrate, and experiment with computer code. They develop a variety of content (applications, operating systems, video games, Internet sites, etc.). They work for:
- IT systems development companies
- IT consulting firms
- Private and public sector IT services
- Educational institutions
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
Main tasks
- Create, integrate, and test the code of computer systems.
- Update current computer programs.
- Identify and communicate technical problems, establish procedures, and implement solutions.
- Draft reports and manuals on how to operate and maintain computer systems.
- 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 intent of the program, identify problems, and suggest modifications.
- Research and evaluate computer systems, as appropriate.
Hourly wage
The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.- Minimum
- $26.00
- Median
- $42.00
- Maximum
- $62.09
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
- 12.9% Female
- 87.1% Male
- 12.9% Female
- 87.1% 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 541540% of jobs
-
NAICS 5112% of jobs
-
NAICS 919% of jobs
-
NAICS 521, 522, 523, 5264% of jobs
-
NAICS 5243% of jobs
-
Others32% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 541540% of jobs
-
NAICS 5112% of jobs
-
NAICS 919% of jobs
-
NAICS 521, 522, 523, 5264% of jobs
-
NAICS 5243% of jobs
-
Others32% 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
- Active listening
- Critical thought
- Solving complex problems
- Quality control analysis
- System analysis
- Reading comprehension
- Written expression
- Judgment and decision-making
- Technological design
- Active learning
- Operation analysis
- Systems evaluation
- Oral expression
- Time management
- Mathematics
- Coordination
- Result evaluation
Abilities
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Near vision
- Awareness of issues
- Deductive reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Information organization
- Verbal skills
- 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
- Knowledge of design
- Open-mindedness
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.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- 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 21230
Computer systems developers and programmers
Job titles
- Programmer analyst
- Computer programmer
- Detail programmer
- Scientific programmer
- Operating systems programmer
- Mainframe systems programmer
- Systems programmer
- Electronic data processing (edp) applications programmer
- Satellite scientific telecommunications programmer
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026