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Entry Level Programmer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Python Software Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site +1

$65K - $70K/yr

Our designers create elegant, easy to use interfaces and our developers bring cutting edge ... Even as an entry-level position, you'll be expected to fully participate in all aspects of the ...

Entry-Level Hotel Maintenance Engineer Location: Hilton Madison Monona Terrace - Madison, WI Schedule: Flexible Schedule Preferred Wage Estimate: $20/hour - Starting Protect Our Property ...

Join a leading organization as a Fabrication Quality Engineer ! Elevate your career by becoming a ... From entry-level positions to professional and executive-level openings, we work with companies of ...

Provide intermediate level of engineer support and service work. * Responsible for following ... May provide on the job support to entry-level technicians. * Supports and applies appropriate ...

Provide intermediate level of engineer support and service work. * Responsible for following ... May provide on the job support to entry-level technicians. * Supports and applies appropriate ...

Youth Apprentice

Oregon, WI

$16.75 - $21.50/hr

Welding * Electrical Engineering Each YouthApprenticeis hired into and trained within one ... High school student, recent graduate, or youth seeking entry-level work experience. * Interest in ...

Early Talent Community

Johnson Creek, WI

$16 - $20.50/hr

Whether you are looking for a position in Accounting, Design Engineering, Marketing & Sales ... Experience Required: 0-2+ years of relevant experience are preferred for entry-level positions.

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Entry Level Programmer information

See Madison, WI salary details

$14

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$79

How much do entry level programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level programmer in Madison, WI is $26.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.21 and $23.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Programmer, you need a solid understanding of programming fundamentals, algorithms, and at least one programming language, often demonstrated by a relevant degree or coding bootcamp experience. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, basic database management, and development environments is typically expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with team members and learn quickly. These skills are crucial for successfully building, testing, and maintaining software while adapting to evolving project requirements.

What are entry level programmers?

Entry level programmers are individuals who are just starting their careers in software development. They typically have a basic understanding of programming languages and software development practices, often gained through education or internships. Entry level programmers are usually responsible for writing simple code, fixing bugs, and assisting more experienced developers on projects. Their role is to learn on the job, gain experience, and gradually take on more complex tasks. Employers often look for candidates with problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn.

Can I become a programmer with no experience?

Entry level programmers can start without prior experience by learning programming languages such as Python or Java, completing online courses, and practicing coding skills. Many employers value problem-solving ability and willingness to learn, and some roles offer on-the-job training or internships for beginners.

Is 25 too old to start coding?

Entry level programmers can start coding at any age, including 25. Many successful developers begin learning programming languages like Python or JavaScript in their twenties or later, and employers value skills and experience over age. Continuous learning and building a portfolio are key to entering the field regardless of age.

Is 27 too late to start coding?

Entry level programmers can start coding at any age, including 27, as many successful developers begin learning later in life. Building skills through online courses, coding bootcamps, and practice projects can lead to entry-level positions regardless of age.

What types of projects and tasks can an entry level programmer typically expect to work on during their first year?

As an entry level programmer, you will often be assigned to support tasks such as debugging code, writing simple scripts, developing small features, and assisting with software testing. You may also update documentation and collaborate with more experienced developers on larger projects. This hands-on experience helps you become familiar with company coding standards, version control systems, and agile development processes while building a foundation for more complex assignments in the future. Teamwork and communication are important, as you’ll regularly interact with other programmers, QA testers, and sometimes project managers.

What is the difference between Entry Level Programmer vs Software Developer?

AspectEntry Level ProgrammerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsAssociate's degree or coding bootcamp certificationBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field often preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level coding tasks, supervised projectsDesign, develop, and maintain software applications
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, IT departmentsSoftware firms, tech companies, enterprise IT teams

While both roles involve coding and software development, an Entry Level Programmer typically focuses on basic coding tasks under supervision, whereas a Software Developer often handles full project cycles, including design and testing. The roles overlap in skills and industry usage, but the Software Developer position generally requires more experience and responsibility.

What Is an Entry-Level Programmer?

As an entry-level programmer, you use software programming languages to create and maintain applications for in-house, proprietary use or clients. You go through an onboarding process to learn your company’s code base and their processes for software development. You work on a team with other programmers and developers, and your job duties include writing code to develop software according to required specifications, testing and debugging code, creating and rolling out fixes, and publishing finished code to the production server. As you gain experience and your skillset expands, you can take on jobs with more autonomy and responsibility.

Is AI replacing coders?

AI tools are increasingly automating certain coding tasks, but entry level programmers are still essential for designing, testing, and maintaining software. AI can assist with code generation and debugging, allowing programmers to focus on complex problem-solving and creative aspects. Overall, AI complements human programmers rather than replacing them entirely.
What are the most commonly searched types of Programmer jobs in Madison, WI? The most popular types of Programmer jobs in Madison, WI are:
What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Entry Level Programmer jobs? Cities near Madison, WI with the most Entry Level Programmer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Programmer job openings in Madison, WI as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,058 per year, or $27 per hour.

Python Software Engineer

Hardin Design

Madison, WI • On-site, Remote

$65K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Company Description

At Hardin Design & Development, we are passionate about creating awesome software, web applications and mobile for our customers. We work with everyone, from startups to the Fortune 500 companies, and take the same degree of pride in our work no matter the client. Our designers create elegant, easy to use interfaces and our developers bring cutting edge expertise to our projects, with an eye for quality, security and bug-free code.
 

We'd love for you to check out some of our favorite projects featured in our portfolio and read about how we've helped our clients accomplish their technology goals. Visit our website at www.hardindd.com and apply to join the Hardin Team today

Job Description

ON SITE ONLY. Our company is open to hybrid models and remote work with trusted long term employees, but new hires must start out working from our Madison office.

This is a Python Software Engineer position at Hardin Design & Development. The pay range for this role is between $65,000 to $70,000 annually.

From the top down, our staff adapt quickly and confidently "wear a lot of hats", and we highly value that in potential new team members.  We believe strongly in choosing the right tool for the job, so our projects can vary widely in the tech stacks we use. We're looking for individuals with diverse skill sets that share our passion for learning, growing, and making new things work.

We believe that the best way to grow as developers is by tackling new experiences head-on, and our staff, past and present, can attest to that.  Even as an entry-level position, you'll be expected to fully participate in all aspects of the development process. Responsibilities include web application design and development, daily interaction with clients, and application planning and implementation.

As a full-time (40 hr/wk) position, we are proud to offer an in-network POS healthcare plan with minimum co-pays through Quartz as well as a retirement package. As multiple time winners of Madison Magazine's Best Places to Work Award, we also offer an easy-going work atmosphere with a casual dress code, game room, and a large open office right in the heart of Madison's East Washington corridor. There is also the opportunity for career advancement within the company.

Qualifications

A college degree in computer science or related field is preferred, but not required. Other combinations of training and/or experience which can be demonstrated to result in possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities that are needed to perform the tasks of this position will also be considered.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A solid base-level understanding of basic algorithms and data structures, as well as how to implement/use them is required.  A good candidate should also have in-depth proficiency in one or more programing languages.
  • Preference will be given to candidates with proficiency in relevant languages and technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, etc.  The ability to run and maintain at least one common web application stack (such as LAMP) as well as a background working with relational databases (SQL) is also desired, but not strictly required.
  • The project we are hiring for has a tech stack of Python (Django), Vue, Postgres, and AWS, demonstrable experience with these technologies is a major plus

Bonus Qualifications:

While not strict requirements for this role, we consider it a plus if a candidate has experience in the following:

  • Experience maintaining infrastructure hosted by Amazon Web Services or a similar cloud provider is a plus. 
  • Jenkins/Playwright
  • Elasticsearch
  • Strong consideration will be given to candidates with experience working with any common front-end frameworks (ReactJS, VueJS, Angular, etc.) or back-end frameworks (Laravel, Symfony, Express in Node.js, Django in Python, etc.).
  • Experience with CI/CD solutions.
  • Experience with Docker
  • Design, browser compatibility, a demonstration of strong technical proficiency, breadth of knowledge, the ability to learn quickly, and a strong desire to grow as a developer.
Additional Information

Unfortunately, at this time we cannot provide Visa sponsorship. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.