Disadvantages of Being a Programmer

by Chris Miksen

Pursuing a career as a programmer may net you a handsome paycheck, and an air-conditioned work environment, but the occupation isn't always perfection. Sitting in a chair while looking at a bright screen for long hours, and working overtime to finish a project on a deadline, takes its toll on the body and mind.

Health Risks

Programmers work indoors in front of a computer for the vast majority of their workday. You'll find yourself sitting in a chair, tapping keys and clicking a mouse button for several hours straight, which can lead to musculoskeletal pain and disorders as well as eyestrain. An ergonomic chair, wrist cushions and regular exercise throughout the day helps alleviate some of the negative health effects, but it's difficult to offset all the risks that go along with a sedentary job.

Long Hours

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that most programmers work roughly 40 hours per week, but the Bureau goes on to say long hours may be required to meet deadlines and fix unexpected problems. Those deadlines and unexpected problems have given birth to a term known as "the death march." Software engineer and author of "Death March," Edward Yourdon, explains that the term refers to a project that calls for its team to put in double the hours they normally would -- a 40-hour week turns into an 80-hour week. The doubled workload can last for weeks or even months and strain a programmer's professional and personal life.


Nothing remains stagnant in the field of technology. Everything's constantly evolving, dying off and being cast away in favor of the newest, more efficient electronic toy. Becoming an effective programmer means having the ability and desire to learn new languages, pick up and apply new concepts and adjust to new tools. Some people may see this need for adaptability exciting, but those who don't like sudden and constant change won't enjoy this particular facet of being a programmer.

Job Growth

Programmers don't have great prospects for job growth. While the BLS expects available jobs for programmers to grow 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations, the position lags behind the average for all computer occupations, which are expected to grow 22 percent. The BLS also notes that because the occupation isn't location-dependent, companies in the United States often outsource programming positions to countries with lower wages.

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