Archive - Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers (NOC 2174)

Published: 2 October 2014
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If you are interested in working as a Computer Programmer of Interactive Media Developer in Canada, you will be pleased to know that the job outlook for your occupation in Canada is extremely positive.

You can use this overview of the Canadian employment prospects in your field to start planning your immigration and settlement in Canada.

computer-programmer-interactive-media-developer

Important statistics for this occupation:

  • The Canadian government expects jobs in these occupations to experience a large upsurge for at least the next several years.
  • Job vacancies are usually the result of brand new jobs being created, as opposed to positions being vacated because of retirement, etc.
  • About 23% of workers in these fields are immigrants. This is much higher than proportions for other occupations, which average around 12%.
  • The number of Canadian-born students receiving degrees in Computer Programming has decreased by more than 50% in the past decade, leaving the field open for immigrants to fill crucial positions.
  • Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers work in a variety of fields. 40% work in computer systems design, 13% in manufacturing, 9% in public administration, 7% for software publishing, 6% in trade and 5% in finance.
  • Workers are especially needed in the electronic games industry, which is experiencing rapid growth in Montreal and other major cities.
  • The average income of Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers in Ontario is $74,000.

Duties for Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers

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

Description of Main Duties

Computer programmers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Write, modify, integrate and test software code
  • Maintain existing computer programs by making modifications as required
  • Identify and communicate technical problems, processes and solutions
  • Prepare reports, manuals and other documentation on the status, operation and maintenance of software
  • Assist in the collection and documentation of user requirements
  • Assist in the development of logical and physical specifications
  • May lead and co-ordinate teams of computer programmers
  • May research and evaluate a variety of software products.

Interactive media developers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Program animation software to predefined specifications 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
  • Assist in the collection and documentation of user requirements
  • Assist in the development of logical and physical specifications
  • May lead and co-ordinate teams of interactive media developers
  • May research and evaluate a variety of interactive media software products.

Example job titles for Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers:

  • Application programmer
  • Business application programmer
  • Computer game developer
  • Computer programmer
  • E-commerce (electronic commerce) software developer
  • Interactive media developer
  • Multimedia developer
  • Operating systems programmer
  • Programmer analyst
  • Scientific programmer
  • Software developer
  • Software programmer
  • Systems programmer
  • Web programmer

Find out about salary ranges for Senior Managers in different Canadian cities with our Canada Salary Calculator.

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