Software Developer
Kaihanga Pūmanawa Rorohiko
Alternative titles for this job
Software developers create and maintain computer software, websites and software applications (apps).
Pay
Software developers usually earn
$85K- $139K per year
Software developers can earn
$60K-$172K per year
Source: TEC research.
Job opportunities
Pay
Software developers usually earn $85,000 to $139,000 per year.
Software developers can earn $60,000 to $172,000 per year.
Source: TEC research.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our pay information)
What you will do
Software developers who specialise in developing or maintaining computer programs may:
- discuss clients' computer program requirements
- work out design specifications for programs
- write programs
- run tests to ensure programs and computer systems are working properly
- maintain and upgrade programs.
Software developers who specialise in developing websites may:
- develop a technical plan for the website and ways to promote it online
- suggest production methods and necessary equipment, and investigate costs for the website
- liaise with designers and other staff to help design and maintain the website
- integrate the technical, visual, and content aspects of the site to produce the finished product.
Skills and knowledge
Software developers need to have knowledge of:
- computer software and systems
- programming languages and techniques
- the impact of programs on computer hardware (such as monitors, keyboards and printers) and other software (computer programs)
- software development processes such as Agile
- confidentiality, data security and data protection issues.
Working conditions
Software developers:
- usually work full time and often work evenings and weekends, or might be on call
- work in offices in conditions that may be stressful because they sometimes work to strict deadlines
- may travel locally or overseas to meet clients.
What's the job really like?
![Nick Hill Nick Hill](https://www.careers.govt.nz/assets/jobs/software-developer/_resampled/FillWyIxOTAiLCIxOTAiXQ/Nick-Hill.jpg)
Nick Hill
Analyst Programmer
"There's always some hard work involved in getting a programming project together," says programmer Nick Hill.
"But once you've completed the background development and learning, it's a lot of fun seeing a new or enhanced program benefit users. It's something I enjoy doing – and it's great to get paid for doing it."
A balance between working on programs and with people
Working for a nationwide organisation, Nick writes, develops and maintains a number of database-focused programs. "There's a nice balance between working alone on applications, and working with users and others in the team."
Getting some real-world experience to learn the main skills
Nick has been learning about computers since he was at primary school, but says he found formal training helpful in gaining an appreciation of what was required of professional programmers. "In my final year, I worked on real-world projects and it was this work experience that got me started in the industry."
Nick says that one of the main skills of the job is to convert a customer’s often vague requirements into a program. "You need to do some research to find out what the options are, pick the best one and put a program together that meets the project's requirements."
Keeping up with changes in the industry is key
Learning is important in this job too. "Because technology is changing so fast I’m always going to be learning so I won’t get the chance to be bored."
Web developer video
Chelcie Prasad talks about life as a web developer – 2.08 mins.
My name is Chelcie Prasad and I am a developer. The three main things that I do
in my job are building and editing websites, designing websites,
tagging websites so that we can get data from it to see who's been visiting it.
So this is my desk. This is where I do my work every day.
I'm what you call a full stack developer.
That means that I work on both front end and the back end. There's what you see,
which is all the pretty pictures, and that's the front end.
And then you have a back end,
which is the logic and how the website actually runs.
So the back end looks like this. It's a whole bunch of code.
It'll help you go from page to page when you click on a button if something pops
up, that's what that does,
and you need to make the stuff that looks pretty and the stuff that makes it run
kind of work together. The coding here might look quite scary,
but it's not as scary as it seems.
A lot of it is repeated and most of it is given to you through documentation of
whatever project you're working on. I have to design another page for this
website, and so I like to go through a brainstorming process first.
So what I do is I get a massive piece of paper and I fold it and I'll just
brainstorm, um,
4 different kinds of designs just to see like what comes off the top of my
head. I chose this career because I like problem solving,
and this provides me a way to do that as well as I think the creative aspect of
it. When you're done,
you have a sheet of paper that looks like this with 4 very roughly drawn designs.
I'll take pieces that I like from each of the designs and then put it together in one final design.
I initially started off just doing a business degree.
Two years into that, I realized I liked coding and computer science,
so I also picked up a computer science degree and decided to go more fully down that path.
After uni, I had a job being a junior developer,
and then now I'm here being a developer. I think with the industry that I'm in,
everything is constantly changing all the time,
and it's important to not beat yourself up if you feel like you don't know
everything about everything, but nobody does.
Everybody's always constantly learning, and yeah, as long as you know that,
then you should be fine.
Entry requirements
You usually need a qualification to become a software developer and experience may be useful.
- to complete a training course with an IT organisation like Dev Academy
- a New Zealand Certificate in Applied Software Development (Level 6)
- a New Zealand Diploma in Software Development (Level 6)
- experience in similar work.
Secondary education
You usually need NCEA Level 3 to do the study or training for this job. Useful subjects include digital technologies, maths, physics and English.
For Year 11 to 13 students, the Gateway programme is a good way to gain industry experience.
Personal requirements
Software developers need to be:
- methodical, accurate and patient
- able to work well under pressure, and meet deadlines
- able to work well as part of a team, and with minimal supervision
- skilled at problem solving and decision making
- skilled at verbal and written communication.
You can't be frustrated by challenges. If you get too frustrated with a programming problem, your chance to solve it will disappear.
![]()
Nick Hill
Analyst Programmer
Useful experience
Useful experience for software developers includes:
- creating websites or games, and computer programming
- fixing computer hardware or software problems
- graphic design and desktop publishing
- client or project management
- doing software development-related study and projects
- volunteer work involving software development, and creating websites.
Physical requirements
Software developers spend a lot of time using computers, so they need to know how to use computer equipment properly to avoid occupational overuse syndrome (OOS).
Registration
Software developers may choose to become certified through associations such as the Institute of IT Professionals.
Find out more about training
- Game Developers Association
- info@nzgda.com - www.nzgda.com
- IT Professionals NZ
- 0800 252 255 - info@itp.nz - www.itp.nz
- NZTech
- (09) 475 0204 - www.nztech.org.nz
What are the chances of getting a job?
Software developers in demand
Software developers are in high demand due to:
- organisations shifting services and systems online
- the need for user-friendly websites and apps
- more use of mobile devices such as phones and tablets.
Shortage of experienced software developers
There are not enough experienced software developers to meet demand. Nearly two thirds of IT employers report skills shortages, and there aren't enough information technology (IT) trainees.
As a result, web developer, analyst programmer, developer programmer, other software and applications programmers and software engineer, (all software developers or related jobs), appear on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled software developers from overseas to work in New Zealand.
According to the Census, 15,174 software developers worked in New Zealand in 2018.
How to get your first IT job
You can improve your chances of getting a job through:
- internships like Summer of Tech
- graduate programmes offered by IT companies
- mentoring programmes.
Types of employers varied
Software developers can work for a wide range of organisations, including:
- private companies
- specialised website development companies
- software and web development companies that work with film, games and animation
- large retailers or marketing and advertising companies
- government departments and educational institutions.
Fifteen percent of software developers are self-employed.
Sources
- Hays, 'IT Salary Guide and Recruiting Trends', accessed November 2021, (www.hays.net.nz).
- Recruit I.T., 'Technology and Digital Salary Update Auckland', Recruit I.T., 'Technology and Digital Salary Update Wellington', July 2021, (www.recruitit.co.nz).
- Immigration New Zealand, 'Long Term Skill Shortage List', 19 February 2018, (www.immigration.govt.nz).
- Stats NZ, '2018 Census Data', 2019.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the sources of our job opportunities information)
Progression and specialisations
Software developers may progress to become senior developers, software architects or IT managers.
Software developers may specialise in the development, maintenance or enhancement of certain programs and software.
They may also specialise in a particular area such as:
- website development
- computer games
- film and animation.
Last updated 31 July 2024