Computer Programming Services NAICS 541511
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Industry Summary
The 62,400 computer programming services firms in the US develop custom computer programs designed for clients’ specific needs. Services include developing application software, software analysis and design, software support, and web page design.
Off-shore Outsourcing
Clients attempting to reduce costs often look to foreign providers of programming services.
Highly Skilled Labor
Because of the complexity of IT systems and computer programming, firms rely on a staff of highly-skilled, educated professionals, including computer programmers, software engineers, and project managers.
Recent Developments
May 5, 2025 - President Trump Executive Order Impacts Government Contractors
- The US Army has halted several IT contracts for review to ensure alignment with President Trump’s March 20 executive order on improving efficiency in Federal contracting, according to MeriTalk. The largest procurement affected by the hold is the Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS) contract, which was set to have a multibillion-dollar ceiling and serve as the Army’s primary source for staff augmentation and tech support. The Army is delaying both a pre-solicitation meeting and the final draft RFP for MAPS. Other contracts on “indefinite hold” are the Army Data Platform 2.0, a multi-award contract for enterprise data platforms that will enable self-service data management and scalability across the Army, and the New Modern Software Development contract, a $10 billion contract for acquiring rapid software development services.
- Computer-programming employment has reached its lowest level since 1980, according to the Current Population Survey from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The decrease correlates with the introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, according to Fortune Magazine. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in early 2025 that AI could do the coding work of mid-level engineers. Computer programmers are different from software developers, who liaise between programmers and engineers and design custom solutions for individual clients, according to Fortune Magazine. That is a much more diverse set of responsibilities compared to programmers, who mostly carry out the coding work directly. There were more than 300,000 computer-programming jobs in 1980. The number peaked above 700,000 during the dot-com boom of the early 2000s but employment opportunities have decreased to about half of that number in early 2025. Total US employment increased nearly 75% from 1980 through the end of 2024, according to the Washington Post.
- JavaScript and HTML/CSS were the most commonly used programming languages among software developers around the world in 2024, according to Stack Overflow. More than 62% of respondents to a 2024 Stack Overflow survey said that they used JavaScript and about 53% used HTML/CSS. Python, SQL, and TypeScript rounded out the top five most widely used programming languages around the world.
- Computer programming industry employment and average wages for nonsupervisory employees decreased slightly during the first month of 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer programming service industry revenue increased 7.3% year over year and 1% quarter over quarter in the third quarter of 2024, according to the US Census Bureau. Computer programming service industry sales are forecast to grow at a 4.44% compounded annual rate from 2024 to 2028, faster than the growth of the overall economy, according to Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc.
Industry Revenue
Computer Programming Services
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
A typical computer programming services firm operates out of a single location, employs 16-18 workers, and generates about $3 million annually.
- The computer programming services industry consists of about 62,400 companies that employ over 1 million workers and generate about $185 billion annually.
- Many individual programmers provide contracted services and operate as non-employer firms (these firms are not included in industry revenue data).
- Large companies include Cognizant Technology Solutions and Perficient. Major companies based outside of the US include Infosys Technologies and Tata Consultancy Services, both located in India.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Computer Programming Services Industry Growth
Source: Vertical IQ and Inforum
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