NOC 21230: Computer systems developers and programmers
What computer systems developers and programmers do
Computer systems developers and programmers write, modify, integrate and test computer code for software applications, data processing applications, operating systems-level software and communications software. They are employed in computer software development firms, information technology consulting firms, and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Write, modify, integrate and test software code
- Maintain existing computer programs by making modifications as required
- Identify and communicate technical problems, processes and solutions
- Prepare reports, manuals and other documentation on the status, operation and maintenance of software
- Assist in the collection and documentation of user requirements
- Assist in the development of logical and physical specifications
- May lead and coordinate teams of computer programmers
- May research and evaluate a variety of software products
Job titles under NOC 21230
9 job titles are classified here, including computer programmer, operating systems programmer, programmer analyst.
- computer programmer
- detail programmer
- electronic data processing (EDP) applications programmer
- mainframe systems programmer
- operating systems programmer
- programmer analyst
- satellite scientific telecommunications programmer
- scientific programmer
- systems programmer
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree or college diploma program in computer science, computer engineering or in another discipline with a significant programming component.
- Specialization in programming for engineering and scientific applications requires specific post-secondary study or experience.
Computer systems developers and programmers wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $25.43/hr | $43.27/hr | $65.00/hr |
Toronto ON | $27.40/hr | $46.15/hr | $62.67/hr |
Montréal QC | $25.43/hr | $42.31/hr | $69.00/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $33.00/hr | $46.15/hr | $69.82/hr |
Calgary AB | $19.23/hr | $40.87/hr | $57.69/hr |
Edmonton AB | $30.00/hr | $44.51/hr | $57.69/hr |
Ottawa ON | $31.04/hr | $46.51/hr | $66.21/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $28.40/hr | $42.85/hr | $69.20/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $25.43/hr | $42.31/hr | $69.00/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $31.65/hr | $47.18/hr | $70.77/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $29.70/hr | $44.46/hr | $63.49/hr |
London ON | $29.94/hr | $44.90/hr | $62.14/hr |
Halifax NS | $20.00/hr | $38.46/hr | $58.97/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $32.18/hr | $45.79/hr | $67.73/hr |
Saskatoon Saskatoon–Biggar region, SK | $27.88/hr | $37.55/hr | $42.56/hr |
Regina Regina–Moose Mountain region, SK | $27.88/hr | $38.46/hr | $50.94/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $23.94/hr | $40.00/hr | $69.71/hr |
Nova Scotia | $20.00/hr | $38.46/hr | $69.71/hr |
New Brunswick | $23.94/hr | $40.00/hr | $69.71/hr |
Quebec | $25.43/hr | $42.31/hr | $69.00/hr |
Ontario | $27.04/hr | $45.67/hr | $62.67/hr |
Manitoba | $27.56/hr | $42.91/hr | $71.48/hr |
Saskatchewan | $27.88/hr | $38.46/hr | $50.94/hr |
Alberta | $19.23/hr | $40.87/hr | $57.69/hr |
British Columbia | $28.57/hr | $44.00/hr | $69.23/hr |
Using NOC 21230 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 9 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Computer network and web technicians (NOC 22220)
- Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 21223)
- Electronic business (e-business) manager (NOC 10022)
- Information systems specialists (NOC 21222)
- Information systems testing technicians (NOC 22222)
- Software engineers and designers (NOC 21231)
- Web designers (NOC 21233)
- Web developers and programmers (NOC 21234)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for computer systems developers and programmers?
Computer systems developers and programmers are NOC 2021 unit group 21230. Example job titles in this group include computer programmer, operating systems programmer, programmer analyst, scientific programmer.
What TEER is NOC 21230?
NOC 21230 is TEER 1 (University degree). Usually requires a university degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate), or experience from a related TEER 2 occupation. TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 work counts as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do computer systems developers and programmers earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $43.27/hr, about $84,000 a year full-time, with a range of $25.43/hr to $65.00/hr.
Related occupations
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.