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Boston Career Explorer

Computer and Mathematical

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

Also called: Analyst Programmer, Application Programmer Analyst, Computer Programmer, Computer Programmer Analyst, Internet Programmer, Java Developer

Median pay in Greater Boston
$128,900
$61.97/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
1,600
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−8.2%
150 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Bachelor's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$78,940$102,290$128,900$142,650$168,320

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
  • Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
  • Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
  • Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
  • Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
  • Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure86 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 84
  • Language-model AIOE 75
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 98

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure is higher, and AI tools are already used substantially to write and fix code. Federal projections say this work is being automated and shifted to other computer jobs, and Massachusetts jobs are projected to shrink 8.2% from 2024 to 2034. Talking with teams to clarify what a program should do relies on people.

Likely to change

  • Writing and rewriting routine code
  • Finding and fixing errors in programs

Still relies on people

  • Clarifying program goals with managers and engineers
  • Deciding which changes a program really needs

What federal projections say

“Productivity change, occupational substitution - share decreases as computer programming tasks are more commonly performed by other computer occupations, such as software developers. Computer programming work also continues to be automated, including with artificial intelligence (AI), allowing computer programmers to become more efficient.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

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    Writing, testing, and fixing code carry over directly. The move offers a $166,090 Boston median pay and 7.7% projected growth.

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  • Computer Hardware Engineers

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    Pay difference
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Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

38 programs near Boston (plus 22 graduate)

Related occupations

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