Jobs Similar to Computer Programmers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to computer programmers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Data Warehousing Specialists, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers and Web Developers.
Computer Programmers: $100,390 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Computer Programmers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Data Warehousing SpecialistsSame group | 82% | $139,500Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersSame group | 82% | $104,300+4% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Web DevelopersSame group | 82% | $92,650−8% | Training or associate |
| 4 | Software DevelopersSame group | 81% | $135,980+35% | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Blockchain EngineersSame group | 81% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Database AdministratorsSame group | 80% | $104,620+4% | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Database ArchitectsSame group | 80% | $139,500+39% | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsSame group | 79% | $140,300+40% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Computer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsSame group | 79% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 10 | Geographic Information Systems Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 78% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Web AdministratorsSame group | 77% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Data Scientists | 77% | $120,230+20% | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Statisticians | 77% | $105,650+5% | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Penetration TestersSame group | 77% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Computer Systems AnalystsSame group | 77% | $105,850+5% | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Computer Network ArchitectsSame group | 77% | $134,050+34% | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Web and Digital Interface DesignersSame group | 76% | $104,000+4% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Information Security EngineersSame group | 76% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Information Security AnalystsSame group | 75% | $129,180+29% | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Operations Research Analysts | 75% | $88,940−11% | Graduate degree |
- 1Data Warehousing Specialists
82% similar · $139,500 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
82% similar · $104,300 (+4%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Web Developers
82% similar · $92,650 (−8%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 4Software Developers
81% similar · $135,980 (+35%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Blockchain Engineers
81% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Database Administrators
80% similar · $104,620 (+4%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Database Architects
80% similar · $139,500 (+39%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 8Computer and Information Research Scientists
79% similar · $140,300 (+40%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
79% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 10Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
78% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Web Administrators
77% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Data Scientists
77% similar · $120,230 (+20%) · Bachelor's degree
- 13Statisticians
77% similar · $105,650 (+5%) · Graduate degree
- 14Penetration Testers
77% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 15Computer Systems Analysts
77% similar · $105,850 (+5%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 16Computer Network Architects
77% similar · $134,050 (+34%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Web and Digital Interface Designers
76% similar · $104,000 (+4%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Information Security Engineers
76% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 19Information Security Analysts
75% similar · $129,180 (+29%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 20Operations Research Analysts
75% similar · $88,940 (−11%) · Graduate degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than computer programmers.
- Database Architects80% similar · $139,500 (+39%)
- Software Developers81% similar · $135,980 (+35%)
- Computer Network Architects77% similar · $134,050 (+34%)
- Information Security Analysts75% similar · $129,180 (+29%)
- Data Scientists77% similar · $120,230 (+20%)
- Computer Systems Analysts77% similar · $105,850 (+5%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for computer programmers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where computer programmers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
Questions about jobs like computer programmers
What jobs are most similar to computer programmers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Data Warehousing Specialists (82% similar), Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (82% similar), Web Developers (82% similar), Software Developers (81% similar) and Blockchain Engineers (81% similar).
Which jobs like computer programmers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Computer and Information Research Scientists ($140,300, +40%; usually a graduate degree), Database Architects ($139,500, +39%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Software Developers ($135,980, +35%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with computer programmers ($100,390). Without more preparation than computer programmers usually need: Database Architects, Software Developers and Computer Network Architects.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.