NOC 21232: Software developers and programmers
What software developers and programmers do
Software developers and programmers design, write, and test code for new systems and software to ensure efficiency. They create the foundations for operative systems and run diagnostic programs to certify effectiveness. They are employed in computer software, computer and video game 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:
- Design, write, read, test, and correct code for new software
- Analyze information to recommend and plan the installation of new systems or modifications of an existing system
- Evaluate simple interrelationships between programs such as whether a contemplated change in one part of a program would cause unwanted results in a related part
- Program animation software to predefined specifications for interactive video games, Internet and mobile applications
- Write, modify, integrate and test software code for e-commerce, Internet and mobile applications
- Develop, implement, modify and maintain gameplay features that integrate effectively into existing software
- Write documentation for new and updated software.
Job titles under NOC 21232
23 job titles are classified here, including application programmer, computer game developer, electronic business (e-business) software developer.
- animation programmer
- application programmer
- artificial intelligence programmer
- cloud developer
- computer application programmer
- computer game developer
- computer game programmer
- electronic business (e-business) software developer
- electronic commerce (e-commerce) software developer
- graphical user interface (GUI) designer
- graphical user interface (GUI) developer
- graphics programmer
- interactive media developer
- interactive media programmer
- mobile applications developer
- multimedia developer
- multimedia programmer
- software developer
- software development programmer
- software development project manager
- software programmer
- special effects programmer
- teleprocessing software programmer
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering or in another discipline with a significant programming component or completion of a college program in computer science or related field is usually required.
- Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.
Software 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 | $30.00/hr | $48.08/hr | $76.92/hr |
Toronto ON | $30.00/hr | $48.08/hr | $76.92/hr |
Montréal QC | $29.00/hr | $45.67/hr | $67.31/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $32.00/hr | $52.40/hr | $84.13/hr |
Calgary AB | $26.00/hr | $48.08/hr | $76.92/hr |
Edmonton AB | $30.00/hr | $40.87/hr | $72.12/hr |
Ottawa ON | $33.65/hr | $50.26/hr | $81.25/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $30.00/hr | $41.03/hr | $57.69/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $29.00/hr | $45.67/hr | $68.13/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $30.00/hr | $48.37/hr | $75.00/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $32.31/hr | $48.35/hr | $86.54/hr |
London ON | $30.32/hr | $46.50/hr | $72.72/hr |
Halifax NS | $25.00/hr | $40.67/hr | $68.27/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $28.00/hr | $51.28/hr | $79.33/hr |
Saskatoon Saskatoon–Biggar region, SK | $26.44/hr | $48.08/hr | $68.68/hr |
Regina Regina–Moose Mountain region, SK | $32.00/hr | $44.71/hr | $57.69/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $30.77/hr | $43.75/hr | $74.52/hr |
Nova Scotia | $24.50/hr | $40.87/hr | $66.67/hr |
New Brunswick | $28.00/hr | $45.67/hr | $74.04/hr |
Quebec | $29.00/hr | $45.67/hr | $68.13/hr |
Ontario | $30.29/hr | $48.08/hr | $77.40/hr |
Manitoba | $30.00/hr | $41.03/hr | $62.02/hr |
Saskatchewan | $28.85/hr | $48.07/hr | $68.68/hr |
Alberta | $29.81/hr | $48.08/hr | $76.92/hr |
British Columbia | $31.25/hr | $52.40/hr | $84.13/hr |
Using NOC 21232 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 23 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Computer applications engineer (NOC 21231)
- Computer network and web technicians (NOC 22220)
- Computer systems developers and programmers (NOC 21230)
- Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 21223)
- Electronic business (e-business) manager (NOC 10022)
- Graphic designers and illustrators (NOC 52120)
- Information systems specialists (NOC 21222)
- Information systems testing technicians (NOC 22222)
- Web designers (NOC 21233)
- Web developers and programmers (NOC 21234)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for software developers and programmers?
Software developers and programmers are NOC 2021 unit group 21232. Example job titles in this group include application programmer, computer game developer, electronic business (e-business) software developer, interactive media developer.
What TEER is NOC 21232?
NOC 21232 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 software developers and programmers earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $48.08/hr, about $94,000 a year full-time, with a range of $30.00/hr to $76.92/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.