JOB ROLE

Software developer: certifications, study paths and pay

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You design, build and maintain software. Many developers now also add AI features and work with cloud services.

See practice tests for this roleWhat does it pay?
US$135,980 US median pay3 practice-test exams1 study paths

What you do

  • Write, review and test code
  • Work in teams with Git and code review
  • Fix bugs and ship improvements

Skills that matter

  • At least one programming language well
  • Git and version control
  • Testing and debugging
  • Cloud and API basics

What does this role pay?

Lowest 10 percent earn less thanUS$82,460
Median per yearUS$135,980
Highest 10 percent earn more thanUS$214,670

United States, May 2025, annual wages for the closest official occupation: Software developers, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay grows with experience, scope and certifications. Pay in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries is different, so check local job boards and salary guides. These figures are a guide, not an offer or a promise of pay.

Practice tests that fit this role

Certifications that appear most often alongside this role. Start with the first one if you are new to it.

FoundationalGitHub GH-9005 tests · 300 questionsAssociateOpenTelemetry OTCA5 tests · 300 questionsAssociateMicrosoft AI-1035 tests · 300 questions

Study paths that lead here

STUDY PATH

Microsoft AI track

View roadmap →

Job titles this page covers

  • Azure developer building copilots and agents
  • Backend developer working on tracing
  • Developer advocate (junior)
  • Junior software developer
  • Open source contributor
  • Software engineer (backend)

Employers use many names for similar work. Requirements vary by employer and country, and a certificate supports your application but does not guarantee a job.

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