Software developers design, build and test the programs and websites other people use. In Alberta, Job Bank reports a median wage of $48.08 an hour for software developers and programmers, rates the 2025–2027 outlook as Moderate for them and Very limited for web developers and programmers, and lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical route in. This guide covers what the work involves, the skills employers ask for, what the pay and hiring data say, and how to start with no experience.
The short version
- Pay: the Alberta median is $48.08 an hour, and most workers earn between $29.81 and $76.92 (Job Bank, 2023–2024). Employers surveyed in 2023 reported an average of $37.79 an hour for entry-level positions with the title.
- Outlook 2025–2027: Moderate for software developers and programmers; Very limited for web developers and programmers, where Job Bank expects employment to decline.
- Education: 73% of Alberta software developers hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and 16% a college certificate or diploma. Job Bank also lists a college program in computer science.
- Hiring: 36% of Alberta employers that recruited for the role reported trouble hiring (2023). That says nothing about how easy it is for a beginner to get hired.
- Where the jobs are: about 17,100 people work in this occupation in Alberta, and 68% of them work in computer systems design services.
What software developers do in a working week
A developer turns a need into working software. Most weeks mix several kinds of work: writing new code, reading and fixing existing code, testing, and talking with the people who use or manage the product. Writing new code is only one part of the week.
Most teams keep their code in a version-control system such as Git, review each other’s changes before they go live, and track tasks on a shared board. A beginner who already uses these tools on personal projects looks closer to a working developer than one who has only finished tutorials.
| Role | What they work on | Typical tools |
|---|---|---|
| Front-end | What users see and touch: pages, forms, menus, layouts that work on a phone | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, a framework such as React |
| Back-end | The server side: business rules, databases, connections to other systems | Python, Java, C# or JavaScript (Node.js), SQL, APIs |
| Full-stack | Both sides of a smaller product, often on a small team | A mix of the two lists above |
Job titles vary by employer. Our guide to front-end, back-end and full-stack paths compares them in more detail.
Skills you need
- Programming fundamentals in at least one language: variables, loops, functions and data structures. Python and JavaScript are common first languages.
- Problem-solving: breaking a vague request into small steps that can each be tested.
- Version control: using Git to save, compare and share changes with a team, and understanding the development lifecycle from request to release.
- Databases and SQL: reading and writing the data an application depends on.
- Written communication: describing a bug so someone else can reproduce it, and explaining a change in a few clear sentences.
- Willingness to keep learning as tools and frameworks change.
Software developer salary in Alberta
Job Bank reports a median wage of $48.08 an hour for software developers and programmers in Alberta (NOC 21232), with most earning between $29.81 and $76.92 (2023–2024). It rates the 2025–2027 outlook in Alberta as Moderate. Figures cover all experience levels and are not guaranteed. Source: Job Bank, software developers in Alberta.
Three different figures answer three different questions. The Job Bank median covers workers at every experience level. The Alberta Wage and Salary Survey asked employers what they pay, and reported an average of $37.79 an hour for starting positions, $44.55 overall and $55.00 for the top-paid (2023). The starting figure describes entry-level positions with this job title; it is not what a new learner will be offered.
Regions differ. Edmonton’s median is $40.87 an hour. The Calgary row repeats the provincial figure, so do not read it as a separate finding. Wages depend on the employer, the experience and the location.
The numbers behind software developer jobs in Alberta
Official data about software developers and programmers. It describes these jobs across the province, not what Ucademy students will earn, and it shows the less favourable figures as well as the favourable ones.
Source: Job Bank (NOC 21232) and Alberta Wage and Salary Survey 2023 (alis) · outlook updated Dec 10, 2025; employer survey 2023.
View the data as a table
| Area | Low | Median | High | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $29.81/hr | $48.08/hr | $76.92/hr | Labour Force Survey, 2023–2024 |
| Calgary † | $26.00/hr | $48.08/hr | $76.92/hr | Labour Force Survey, 2023–2024 |
| Edmonton | $30.00/hr | $40.87/hr | $72.12/hr | Labour Force Survey, 2023–2024 |
| Banff–Jasper | $31.32/hr | $46.64/hr | $68.69/hr | Statistics Canada model estimate, 2024 |
| Lethbridge–Medicine Hat | $30.27/hr | $42.37/hr | $60.01/hr | Statistics Canada model estimate, 2024 |
| Red Deer | $33.67/hr | $44.25/hr | $63.96/hr | Statistics Canada model estimate, 2024 |
| Canada | $30.00/hr | $48.08/hr | $76.92/hr | Labour Force Survey, 2023–2024 |
Job Bank “low” and “high” are roughly the bottom and top 10% of earners. Rows marked * are Statistics Canada model estimates for 2024 (Small Area Estimation), not survey results, so compare them with care. † Same median and high as the Alberta row; Job Bank appears to repeat the provincial figures where a regional sample is small, so this is not a separate regional finding. Calgary and Canada show the same median ($48.08) and high ($76.92) as Alberta. Wages depend on the employer, experience and location and are not guaranteed.
Source: Job Bank, wages for software developers and programmers · wages updated Nov 19, 2025; survey rows 2023–2024, estimate rows 2024.
View the data as a table
| Group | 5th percentile | Average | 95th percentile | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software developer: starting | $24.05/hr | $37.79/hr | $64.63/hr | Alberta Wage and Salary Survey 2023 |
| Software developer: overall | $32.36/hr | $44.55/hr | $64.63/hr | Alberta Wage and Salary Survey 2023 |
| Software developer: top | $36.90/hr | $55.00/hr | $89.90/hr | Alberta Wage and Salary Survey 2023 |
Bars show the 5th to 95th percentile of hourly pay among surveyed employers and the dot is the average. “Starting” is the average pay employers offered for entry-level positions with this job title: it is not what any program’s graduates earn, and for roles that usually ask for a degree or experience it reflects who employers hire into the title. The survey excludes overtime, tips, bonuses and benefits. It is a different survey from Job Bank, so the numbers differ. Average salary as paid: Software developer $92,069 a year (39.8 hours a week). The survey’s 95th-percentile values for starting and overall pay are the same ($64.63), a sign of a modest sample, so read the bars as a rough guide.
Source: Alberta Wage and Salary Survey 2023 (alis) · employer survey, 2023; Software developer reliability B (good).
| Alberta | Athabasca–Grande Prairie | Banff–Jasper | Calgary | Camrose–Drumheller | Edmonton | Lethbridge–Medicine Hat | Red Deer | Wood Buffalo–Cold Lake | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software developers and programmers NOC 21232 |
Moderate | Limited | Limited | Moderate | Undetermined | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Undetermined |
| Web developers and programmers NOC 21234 |
Very limited | Undetermined | Undetermined | Very limited | Undetermined | Very limited | Undetermined | Undetermined | Undetermined |
Job Bank expects employment to decline for web developers and programmers, with the loss of some positions. Calgary and Edmonton are the only regions rated for web developers.
Source: Job Bank outlooks · outlook updated Dec 10, 2025.
View the data as a table
| Software developers | all occupations | |
|---|---|---|
| Above bachelor’s level | 18% | 9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 55% | 21% |
| College certificate or diploma | 16% | 19% |
| Apprenticeship or trades certificate | <5% | 13% |
| High school | 10% | 28% |
| No high school diploma | <5% | 10% |
Job Bank says this occupation usually requires a university degree and also lists a college program in computer science or a related field. Employers decide what to ask for in each posting. Job Bank’s “college” group also includes university certificates below a bachelor’s degree. Shares are of Alberta workers in each occupation today, not of people who are hired into their first role.
Source: Job Bank, workers by education level · Alberta, outlook pages updated Dec 10, 2025.
Data checked October 19, 2026: Job Bank wages updated Nov 19, 2025, outlooks Dec 10, 2025; Alberta Wage and Salary Survey 2023. Occupation data, not a program outcome.
What the hiring data says about getting in without a degree
Job Bank describes this occupation as one that usually requires a university degree. In Alberta, 55% of software developers hold a bachelor’s degree and another 18% have a higher degree. Another 16% hold a college certificate or diploma, 10% finished high school, and the shares with a trades certificate or no diploma are under 5% each.
So a degree is the common route, but not the only one. Job Bank also lists a college program in computer science or a related field, and employers set the requirements for each posting. Without a degree, you have to show more proof: working projects, code that others can read, and a clear account of what you built and why.
The outlook splits in two. Web developers and programmers are rated Very limited, so a portfolio of page layouts alone sits in the weakest category. Programming skills that also cover data and back-end logic fit the occupation Job Bank rates Moderate.
- 1Pick one language
Python or JavaScript. Stay with it for three months before you try another. - 2Learn Git and use GitHub from day one
Put every project in a repository, with a short README that says what it does and how to run it. - 3Build three small projects that use data
For example a task tracker with a database, a page that calls a public API, and a small tool you use yourself. - 4Add SQL and basic testing
Write tests for at least one project, so you can show that your code does what you say. - 5Get feedback on your code
Ask an instructor, a mentor or an online community to review one project and fix what they find. - 6Apply widely
Look at junior developer, quality-assurance tester and technical support roles. Several of them lead into development.
Training options and how long they take
Self-study costs little but has no deadlines and no one to read your code. A structured program adds a fixed order of topics and someone who reviews your work. Whichever route you choose, compare the hours, the projects you build, and who gives feedback on your code.
Ucademy’s Software & Web Developer Diploma is 960 hours, which is roughly 15 months at 12 to 15 hours a week. Vendor certificates in cloud, networking or security can add to a portfolio, but they rarely replace projects. Our guide to becoming a software developer in Alberta without a degree goes through the routes in more detail.
How to start with no experience
You can begin this week. Install a code editor, choose a language, and finish one small project before you spend money on anything. If the project holds your interest through the boring parts, a longer program is easier to justify.
Sources
- Job Bank, wages for software developers and programmers in Alberta (NOC 21232)
- Job Bank, outlook, employment and education of workers, software developers in Alberta
- alis, Alberta Wage and Salary Survey 2023, software developers and programmers
Frequently Asked Questions
What do software developers do on a typical workday in Alberta?
Software developers design, write, test, and maintain code that powers applications, websites, and systems used by businesses and consumers. A typical workday may involve writing new features, reviewing colleagues' code, debugging issues, attending team meetings, and collaborating with designers or product managers. The work is highly collaborative in most organizations, requiring both technical expertise and communication skills.
What programming languages should I learn to become a software developer in Alberta?
The most in-demand languages vary by specialization, but JavaScript, Python, and SQL are consistently sought across a wide range of development roles. Web development roles often also require knowledge of frameworks like React or Node.js, while back-end roles may prioritize Java, C#, or PHP. Reviewing current Alberta job postings is the most reliable way to identify which languages employers in your target niche are looking for.
Do I need a computer science degree to become a software developer in Canada?
Not necessarily. Many practising software developers in Canada hold diplomas or certificates from private colleges or community colleges rather than university degrees, particularly in web development and application development. Employers in the tech sector often prioritize demonstrated skills, a strong portfolio, and problem-solving ability. Bootcamps, online diplomas, and self-directed learning have all produced successful developers across Canada.
What is the job market like for software developers in Alberta?
Alberta's technology sector has been growing steadily, with software development roles found in industries including energy, agriculture, finance, healthcare, and government technology services. Calgary and Edmonton are the primary hubs for tech employment in the province, with a growing remote work culture also opening opportunities beyond major centres. Software development remains one of the more resilient career paths in the current economic environment.
Train for this career
Ucademy's online Software and Web Developer Diploma is designed to help you build the skills employers look for.