Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers

(NOC 2174)

in All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Computer programmers write, modify, integrate, and test computer code for software applications, data processing applications, operating systems-level software, and communications software. Interactive media developers write, modify, integrate, and test computer code for Internet and mobile applications, computer-based training software, computer games, film, video, and other interactive media. They work for computer software development firms, information technology consulting firms, and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 885 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

  • Estimate 3410 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 5690 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

This is a large occupation group, where much of the work is found in Halifax as it offers a wide variety of potential employers across industries, including video game development. Job opportunities occur regularly, and those with the high level of specific skills will have an easier time in finding employment. Some lower-level programming tasks may be at risk of disappearing or being outsourced. It will remain essential therefore, that workers keep skills up-to-date. Graduates of advanced co-op programs will have the most success in breaking into the workforce. Remote hiring is common in the information technology field, so jobseekers may benefit from including remote opportunities in their job search.

Hourly Pay

$21.79

Minimum

$36.06

Median

$58.65

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,009

Minimum

$56,326

Median

$93,589

Maximum

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

Hourly Pay

$18.00

Minimum

$34.90

Median

$54.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

$13,568

Minimum

$60,422

Median

$107,009

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Computer programmers write, modify, integrate, and test computer code for software applications, data processing applications, operating systems-level software, and communications software. Interactive media developers write, modify, integrate, and test computer code for Internet and mobile applications, computer-based training software, computer games, film, video, and other interactive media. They work for computer software development firms, information technology consulting firms, and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors.

Job duties

Computer programmers:

  • Write, modify, integrate, and test software code.
  • Maintain existing computer programs by making modifications as needed.
  • Identify and communicate technical problems, processes, and solutions.
  • Prepare reports, manuals and other documentation on the status, operation, and maintenance of software.
  • Help collect and document user requirements.
  • Help develop logical and physical specifications.
  • May lead and coordinate teams of computer programmers.
  • May research and evaluate a variety of software products.

Interactive media developers:

  • Program animation software for interactive CDs, DVDs, video game cartridges and Internet-based applications.
  • Program special effects software for film and video applications.
  • Write, modify, integrate, and test software code for e-commerce and other Internet applications.
  • Help collect and document user requirements.
  • Help develop logical and physical specifications.
  • May lead and coordinate teams of interactive media developers.
  • May research and evaluate a variety of interactive media software products.

Sample job titles

  • animation programmer
  • cloud developer
  • computer game developer
  • computer programmer
  • electronic commerce (e-commerce) software developer
  • graphical user interface (GUI) developer
  • interactive media developer
  • software developer
  • special effects programmer
  • Web programmer

Skills

  • Both computer programmers and interactive media developers should be innovative, methodical, and have good communication skills. You should also be quick to learn and be prepared to work to keep on top of new developments. Computer languages evolve rapidly and programmers must be continually learning to keep their skills up-to-date. Numerical ability is required to understand programming languages and to write, modify, integrate, and test software code. Accuracy and proofreading skills are required to detect, locate, and avoid errors in code. Creativity and design skills may be an asset for interactive media designers.

Job requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in computer science or in another discipline with a significant programming component or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required.
  • Specialization in programming for engineering and scientific applications requires specific post-secondary study or experience.

Other considerations

  • Rapid changes in computer technology mean that people in this field should be prepared to keep up-to-date with new developments in computer hardware, software, and interactive media. Movement to information systems analyst, software engineer or Web designer is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,830

employed in 2016

89.6%

employed full-time

9.0%

self employed

19.3%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80.7%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
36.5

median age

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

25,875

employed in 2016

91.5%

employed full-time

7.6%

self employed

20.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
80%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
42.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

80.4%

Halifax

$59,401 median annual income
7.6%

Annapolis Valley

$55,353 median annual income
5.2%

North Shore

$45,577 median annual income
3.5%

Cape Breton

$45,904 median annual income
3.3%

Southern

$28,739 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

57.4%

Professional, scientific and technical services

16.2%

Information and cultural industries

7.5%

Public administration

4.9%

Manufacturing

3.2%

Educational services

What is the age of Employment?

36.0%

25-34

25.0%

35-44

17.0%

45-54

12.0%

15-24

8.0%

55-64

1.0%

65+

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

24.2%

25-34

23.5%

45-54

23.4%

35-44

16.4%

55-64

7.7%

15-24

Top levels of education

45.8%

Bachelor

$60,034 median annual income
25.6%

College Diploma

$47,964 median annual income
11.7%

Master

$65,405 median annual income
10.1%

High school

$33,136 median annual income
2.5%

Diploma Below Bachelor

$53,726 median annual income

Compared to: All Engineering, Math, Science, and Information Technology

33.1%

College Diploma

$59,986 median annual income
29.8%

Bachelor

$63,965 median annual income
11.9%

High school

$45,835 median annual income
9.9%

Master

$65,105 median annual income
6.9%

Trade Certification

$57,773 median annual income

Education & training

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

College or University Program

These programs focus on the symbolic inference, representation, and simulation by computers and software of human learning and reasoning processes and capabilities, and the modelling of human motor control and motions by computer-driven machinery. They include courses in computing theory, cybernetics, human factors, natural language processing, robot design, and applicable aspects of engineering, technology, and specific end-use applications.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Computer and Information Sciences

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on computing, computer science, and information science and systems as part of a broad and/or interdisciplinary program. Such programs are undifferentiated as to title and content and are not to be confused with specific programs in computer science, information science, or related support services.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Computer Engineering - General

University Program

These programs prepare students to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of computer hardware and software systems and related equipment and facilities; and the analysis of specific problems of computer applications to various tasks.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Computer Programming

College or Trades Program

These programs focus on writing and implementing generic and customized programs to drive operating systems and that prepares students to apply the methods and procedures of software design and programming to software installation and maintenance. They include courses in software design, low- and high-level languages and program writing, program customization and linking, prototype testing, troubleshooting, and related aspects of operating systems and networks.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Computer Programming - Specific Applications

College or Trades Program

These programs apply the knowledge and skills of general computer programming to the solution of specific operational problems and customization requirements presented by individual software users and organizational users. Includes training in specific types of software and its installation and maintenance.

Institutions providing this program

Academy of Learning Career College - Halifax

Halifax, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Computer Science

College or University Program

These programs focus on computers, computing problems and solutions, and the design of computer systems and user interfaces from a scientific perspective. They include courses in the principles of computational science, and computing theory, computer hardware design, computer development and programming, and applications to a variety of end-use situations.

Institutions providing this program

Acadia University

Wolfville, NS

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

University of King's College

Halifax, NS

Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax, NS

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Saint Mary's University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

E-commerce/Electronic Commerce

College or University Program

These programs prepare students to plan, manage, supervise, and market electronic business operations, products, and services provided online via the Internet. They include courses in business administration, information technology, information resources management, web design, computer and Internet law and policy, computer privacy and security, e-trading, insurance, electronic marketing, investment capital planning, enterprise operations, personnel supervision, contracting, and product and service networking.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Game and Interactive Media Design

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on the design, development, and programming of interactive media entertainment, including computer and video games, virtual environments, Internet applications, and other interactive media. They include courses in theory of games, turn-based games, real-time games, visual and interactive design, story development, animation, simulation, and programming.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Information Technology Project Management

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to design, develop, and manage information technology projects in a variety of companies and organizations. They include courses in principles of project management, risk management, procurement and contract management, information security management, software management, organizational principles and behaviour, communications, quality assurance, financial analysis, leadership, and team effectiveness.

Institutions providing this program

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, NS

Medical Informatics

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs focus on applying computer science and software engineering to medical research and clinical information technology support, and the development of advanced imaging, database, and decision systems. They include courses in computer science, health information systems architecture, medical knowledge structures, medical language and image processing, quantitative medical decision modelling, imaging techniques, electronic medical records, medical research systems, clinical decision support, and informatics aspects of specific research and practice problems.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Information and Communications Technology Council
Ottawa, ON
Digital Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS

Additional resources