RHI - Robert Half International Inc.

05/18/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/18/2022 19:35

How to Become a Developer/Programmer Analyst

The developer/programmer analyst role - also sometimes referred to simply as "programmer analyst" - requires both business and technical savvy. Because developers act as a bridge between business needs and technical builds, the demand for skilled programmers who are also adept at requirements analysis and client communication is continuing to grow.

If you're interested in becoming a developer/programmer analyst, you need to have a solid understanding of software and applications programming. Your top responsibility will be providing recommendations for developing or modifying applications, code, programs or databases - using research and fact-finding - to ensure that products delivered to clients meet expectations. That means you also need to have a keen eye for catching any bugs lurking in the software.

More responsibilities for developer/programmer analysts

What else does a developer/programmer analyst typically do? Here's an overview of job responsibilities that many employers will expect professionals in this role to handle:

  • Analyzing business application requirements for functional areas such as finance, manufacturing, marketing or human resources
  • Writing code and testing and debugging software applications
  • Architecting and designing IT solutions to solve business challenges
  • Documenting software specifications and training users

Technical skills and knowledge most employers seek

If you want to land a job as a developer/programmer analyst, following are some of the technical qualifications you'll likely be expected to bring to the table:

  • Excellent programming abilities in common languages and frameworks, such as COBOL, Java, Python, C++, C#, SQL and .NET
  • Strong problem-solving and analytic abilities
  • The ability to understand applications from programming and business perspectives
  • Object-oriented programming skills in common languages, including C# and C++, Java Enterprise Edition and AJAX, and Microsoft .NET
  • Experience using Unified Modeling Language (UML)

Most employers look for developer/programmer analyst candidates to have a bachelor's degree in computer science, information science or management information systems. Relevant job experience is also a plus.

Which IT certifications are most in-demand? Read this post to find out.

Soft skills can provide an edge

Candidates aren't going to get their foot in the door for a developer/programmer analyst job if they lack strong coding and programming skills. However, what often makes developers worth their weight in gold is their skills on the softer side, such as excellent written and verbal communication.

Developer/programmer analysts must bring both a technology/programming perspective and a business point of view to their work, and they must be able to communicate strategies and solutions with non-tech team members. And in today's remote and hybrid work environments, soft skills are a must.

To set a course for remote work success, be sure to review this checklist.

The developer/programmer analyst salary: what can you expect?

Highly skilled developer/programmer analysts can be hard to find in this competitive hiring market. And because their skills are so valued, many employers are prepared to offer compelling compensation to secure standout hires.

According to the latest Salary Guide from Robert Half, the average starting salary for a developer/programmer analyst job this year in the United States is $116,500.

Search for developer/programmer analyst jobs now on the Robert Half website. (Note that many potential opportunities will be listed as programmer analyst jobs, as that term is also widely used.)