Jobs Similar to Software Developers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to software developers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, Computer Systems Analysts and Web Developers.
Software Developers: $135,980 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. Software Developers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersSame group | 84% | $104,300−23% | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Computer Systems AnalystsSame group | 83% | $105,850−22% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Web DevelopersSame group | 82% | $92,650−32% | Training or associate |
| 4 | Data Warehousing SpecialistsSame group | 82% | $139,500Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Database AdministratorsSame group | 82% | $104,620−23% | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Database ArchitectsSame group | 81% | $139,500+3% | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Blockchain EngineersSame group | 81% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsSame group | 81% | $140,300+3% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Computer ProgrammersSame group | 81% | $100,390−26% | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Computer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsSame group | 80% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 11 | Computer Network ArchitectsSame group | 80% | $134,050−1% | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Penetration TestersSame group | 78% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Information Security AnalystsSame group | 77% | $129,180−5% | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Information Security EngineersSame group | 76% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Web AdministratorsSame group | 76% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Geographic Information Systems Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 76% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Web and Digital Interface DesignersSame group | 76% | $104,000−24% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists | 76% | $130,220Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Data Scientists | 75% | $120,230−12% | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Statisticians | 75% | $105,650−22% | Graduate degree |
- 1Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
84% similar · $104,300 (−23%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Computer Systems Analysts
83% similar · $105,850 (−22%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Web Developers
82% similar · $92,650 (−32%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 4Data Warehousing Specialists
82% similar · $139,500 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Database Administrators
82% similar · $104,620 (−23%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Database Architects
81% similar · $139,500 (+3%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Blockchain Engineers
81% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 8Computer and Information Research Scientists
81% similar · $140,300 (+3%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Computer Programmers
81% similar · $100,390 (−26%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 10Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
80% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 11Computer Network Architects
80% similar · $134,050 (−1%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Penetration Testers
78% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 13Information Security Analysts
77% similar · $129,180 (−5%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 14Information Security Engineers
76% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 15Web Administrators
76% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 16Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
76% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Web and Digital Interface Designers
76% similar · $104,000 (−24%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
76% similar · $130,220 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 19Data Scientists
75% similar · $120,230 (−12%) · Bachelor's degree
- 20Statisticians
75% similar · $105,650 (−22%) · 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 software developers.
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 software developers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where software developers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists (86)
- Operations Research Analysts (82)
- Computer Hardware Engineers (79)
- Logistics Engineers (76)
- Data Scientists (75)
- Mechatronics Engineers (75)
- Bioinformatics Technicians (74)
- Remote Sensing Technicians (72)
- Statisticians (72)
- Bioinformatics Scientists (71)
Questions about jobs like software developers
What jobs are most similar to software developers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (84% similar), Computer Systems Analysts (83% similar), Web Developers (82% similar), Data Warehousing Specialists (82% similar) and Database Administrators (82% similar).
Which jobs like software developers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Database Architects ($139,500, +3%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Computer and Information Research Scientists ($140,300, +3%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with software developers ($135,980). Without more preparation than software developers usually need: Database 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.