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Software analyst

Also called software analysts, programmer analyst, programming analyst

Software analysts elicit and prioritise user requirements, produce and document software specifications, test their application, and review them during software development. They act as the interface between the software users and the software development team.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 12 countries now. 59 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.ICT professionalsWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €2,900 (Slovakia) to €7,300 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · ICT professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree8 in 10 have a degree.ICT professionalsWill AI change it?SignificantlyLevel 5 of 6. AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.Software developers · ILO

What you'd do

Software developers · ILO
  • Researching, analysing and evaluating requirements for software applications and operating systems
  • Researching, designing, and developing computer software systems
  • Consulting with engineering staff to evaluate interfaces between hardware and software
  • Developing and directing software testing and validation procedures
  • Modifying existing software to correct errors, to adapt it to new hardware or to upgrade interfaces and improve performance
  • Directing software programming and development of documentation
  • Assessing, developing, upgrading and documenting maintenance procedures for operating systems, communications environments and applications software
  • Consulting with customers concerning maintenance of software system
Develop software prototypeDefine technical requirementsCreate data modelsDesign information systemDefine software architecture+ 8 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Computer Systems Analysts"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

12 EU countries are short of software developers now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as ICT professionals in the EU
2.77m4.86m6.75m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,516,000 new jobs 1,592,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
ICT professionals59
All jobs29
Right now
12 of 27 countries report a shortage of software developers, 4 a surplus.
Software developers · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €2,900 a month (Slovakia) to €7,300 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in software and applications development and analysis is the usual route.

Highest qualification of ICT professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 81%Vocational 10%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 2%
Field that teaches it
Software and applications development and analysis
Vocational route, EU
4 in 10 trainees in this field
ICT graduates in a matching job
77% in the EU

887 institutions in the EU offer ICT bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Significantly

AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.53 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 8 tasks
Developing and directing software testing and validation procedures0.66
Researching, analysing and evaluating requirements for software applications and operating systems0.60
Assessing, developing, upgrading and documenting maintenance procedures for operating systems, communications environments and applications software0.53
Directing software programming and development of documentation0.52
Modifying existing software to correct errors, to adapt it to new hardware or to upgrade interfaces and improve performance0.50
Researching, designing, and developing computer software systems0.50
Consulting with engineering staff to evaluate interfaces between hardware and software0.45
Consulting with customers concerning maintenance of software system0.45

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for software developers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).