Computer Programming Services NAICS 541511
Unlock access to the full platform with more than 900 industry reports and local economic insights.
Get access to this Industry Profile including 18+ chapters and more than 50 pages of industry research.
Industry Summary
The 62,773 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
Jun 5, 2025 - AI Is Disrupting Software Development
- Developers are no longer the sole gatekeepers of custom software, according to Design Rush. Business users now have access to powerful low-code and no-code platforms that allow users with minimal coding knowledge to build applications using visual interfaces. These platforms are increasingly powered by AI, enabling non-developers to create and deploy software faster, though the trade-off can be a lack of customization and scalability. Computer programming services once built everything from scratch but clients often show up with tools already in place now. The real value provided by computer programming services lies in guidance, strategy, and making sure the tools are solving the right problem in the first place, according to Design Rush.
- 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 decreased slightly and average wages for nonsupervisory employees increased slightly during the first three months of 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer programming service industry revenue increased 5.1% year over year and 2.3% quarter over quarter in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the US Census Bureau. Computer programming service industry sales are forecast to grow at a 4.66% compounded annual rate from 2025 to 2029, 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 17 workers, and generates about $4.9 million annually.
- The computer programming services industry consists of about 62,773 companies that employ over 1.1 million workers and generate about $305 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
Vertical IQ Industry Report
For anyone actively digging deeper into a specific industry.
50+ pages of timely industry insights
18+ chapters
PDF delivered to your inbox
