How to become a SAS programmer : Career Guide, Courses, Scope, Jobs, Salary

What do they do?

A SAS programmer does the work related to Computers and software’s. Be it from programming to the development of software’s everything can be handled by a SAS programmer. Various job roles and responsibilities of a SAS programmer are as follows:

• Collection of data and store it in the form of databases.
• Large quantities of information are maintained and piled up to use it for further use.
• Creating data sets to store information and develop programming languages for the security of databases.
• Analyze data to prevent troubles and collapse of companies and organizations.
• Write reports that include the relevant data stored in the information.

In short a SAS programmer is an IT professional who is responsible to collect and analyze the data. This data in turn can be used for various projects, productivity and also prevents the collapse of the economy and many other companies.

Steps to become a SAS Programmer

While choosing a career is one of the crucial decisions, finding the right path to follow your career is also quite important. Here are some steps you need to follow to have a clarity on the path you are travelling towards your career:

• Decision Making: To follow your career as a SAS programmer you should know what your interests are, what you are passionate about and the subject requirements with relevant educational qualifications. So choosing wise streams and making decisions on the courses to study helps you impart skills required to be a good SAS programmer. Programming is one of the toughest tasks whose outputs may be quite incorrect. You should have the motivation and patience to try and try till you reach your goal.
• Choose the right subjects: A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Applications or Statistics is considered to be the minimum qualification to become a SAS programmer. Irrelevant streams and majors not only affect your jobs but also affect your skills and technical knowledge. Know about the subjects that are important to become a SAS programmer. And choose the correct degree. Mostly the students having a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Applications are recruited by the employers.
• Prepare for Entrance Examinations: Several examinations like JEE, SUAT, BHUUET etc. are conducted at National and State level once in a year specifically for the admissions into Bachelor’s degree. Aspiring students must download the syllabus and prepare accordingly. Strategic preparation along with time management helps you cover required syllabus and so you can prepare yourself to get ready for the examinations.
• Choose the correct college: In India there are almost 550 institutions and 16,000 other colleges offering Undergraduate programs in various streams and specializations. Choosing the right one among many helps you gain quality education with good Placement opportunities. Various online websites contain information about the top and best colleges for all the courses. Students can research thoroughly and find the best college ultimately.
• After qualifying the entrance examinations: After you get a good score and qualify in the exam you will be called upon for a counseling session. The shortlisted students can visit the college and apply for admissions in the desired college and desired course. This is the starting point of your career and you need to work hard for 3-4 years more to achieve your goals. Hard work always pays off.

Types of SAS Programmers

SAS programmers can improve programming skills and gain experience in analyzing and collecting data. For various projects and future reference aggregate data collection is very much needed. Some of the types of SAS programmers are:

Clinical SAS programmer

They are responsible for analyzing and collecting data in the Clinical domain. This data will be very useful for the clinical researchers and medical companies for conducting trials. In short SAS programming is used to create and collect data sets for clinical trials.

Statistical Programmer

They are responsible for finding and developing new software to collect, analyze and store data from various large data bases. Moreover codes are also developed for reports and trials to save important information. Almost all the departments from Pharmaceutics to Financial everyone make use of the stored data.

Analyst Programmer

Analysts start from the roots in creating coding, testing, analyzing it and developing software applications. They are responsible for creating new software according to the business requirements. Besides this, the programmers also can create codes for running the computer on their own.

Principal SAS Programmer

They are responsible for using and developing effective programming techniques in order to assist and create documents, data sets and other projects for trials. These programming techniques will be used for listings, figures and tables for storing the data sets. Supporting, developing and implementation of the required activities for reports and data are also carried out by the programmers.

How to become a SAS programmer in India

Becoming a SAS programmer is a gradual process. Nothing can be achieved overnight. Students aspiring to become SAS programmers must have proper knowledge about the courses, top colleges, entrance Examinations and admission processes to join. Here are some of the details that students can follow to become a SAS programmer.

School Level Preparation:

• For BTech Computer Science the eligibility criteria is applicable for both merit based and entrance based examinations.
• The candidates must have passed 10+2 or its equivalent is Higher secondary education.
• A minimum aggregate of 50-60% from a recognized board is required in order to get admission in BTech Computer Science.

How to become a SAS programmer after 12th

To become a SAS programmer the students must be selective right after class 10th. It is advisable to prefer Computers or Statistics as the major subjects that will help pursue BTech in Computer Science, BSc in Statistics or BSc in Computer Science at Bachelor’s level.

UG Level Preparation: Candidates must choose wisely from the stream i.e., BTech in Computer Science and BSc Computer Science. The entrance examinations for BTech and BSc are JEE, SUAT, BHU UET etc.

PG Level Preparation: Earning a Master’s degree in Computer Science also allows Graduates to apply for Advanced level Computer programmers and Programming teachers at most companies and firms. For Master’s in Computer Science and Statistics 50% minimum aggregate in BTech Computer Science from a recognized college by UGC is required for the admissions. Mostly the admission process for Universities for Computers are merit based, personal interview and entrance examinations such as DUET, CET, JAM etc.

Courses to become a SAS programmer

There are several courses that can be pursued if one aspires to become a SAS Programmer, such as B.Tech in Computer Science, B.Sc in Computer Science etc.

Below is discussed elaborately the prerequisites and other requirements for pursuing these courses,

BTech in Computer Science

• BTech in Computer Science is a wise selection for the students who wish to become a SAS programmer. It is a four year full time Undergraduate degree offered by many reputed colleges.
• This course specifically concentrates on the Hardware and softwares of Computers. Theoretical and Practical knowledge of all the concepts can be learnt by the students. It also consists of computer programming, networking and other related concepts.

Admission Process

• Admission to BTech Computer Science is based on the entrance and also merit based in some colleges.
• The various exams for BTech are JEE, BITSAT, VITEEE etc.
• Candidates must have passed 10+2 or it’s equivalent with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks for BTech Computer Science.
• The average fee for BTech in Computer Science is INR 6,00,000 per annum.
• BTech in Computer Science is a comprehensive course that deals with Computer systems and applications. Major subjects include computation, algorithms, program design, programming language, computer hardware, computer software etc.

Eligibility Criteria for the entrance exam

• Candidates must have passed 10+2 or it’s equivalent with a minimum of 65% aggregate marks from a recognized board.
• Candidates must have Studied Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as main subjects in 10+2.
• There is no age limit for the candidates. Students who have passed 10+2 can attend for the examination.

Top Colleges to study BTech in Computer Science

BSc Computer Science 

This course specifically concentrates on the Technology of Computers and software. It is a three year full time Undergraduate degree offered by top most institutes and colleges.

Admission Process

• Admission to BSc Computer Science is based on the entrance and also merit based in some colleges.
• The various exams for BSc Computer Science are BHU UET, CUCET etc.
• Candidates must have passed 10+2 or it’s equivalent with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks for BSc Computer Science.
• The average fee for BSc in Computer Science is INR 3,00,000 to INR 7,00,000 per annum.
• BSc in Computer Science is a comprehensive course that deals with subjects of Computer Science, Computer Applications, Services and Technology. Through this course candidates can become professionals to work in the IT and Software sectors.

Top colleges to study BSc in Computer Science

BCA

BCA specifically concentrates on Computer Applications and software development. It is a three year full time Undergraduate degree offered by top most institutes and colleges.

Admission Process

• Admission to BCA is based on the entrance and also merit based in some colleges.
• The various exams for BCA are IPU CET, AIMA UGAT, BUMAT, SET etc.
• Candidates must have passed 10+2 or it’s equivalent with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks for BCA.
• The average fee for BCA is INR 2,00,000 to INR 3,00,000 per annum.
• BCA is a comprehensive course that deals with Information Technology, Computer Applications and networking. The course work includes subjects such as Programming languages, Networking, Data structures and other related topics.

How to become a SAS programmer Abroad

With the emerging digitalization the Software and IT sectors provide ample opportunities for the candidates to find a job. And there is demand everywhere for the programmers. Studying and starting your career as a SAS programmer is indeed a good chance to find more scope for a job in the future. The top countries to study SAS courses abroad are the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.

How to become a SAS programmer in UK

Various institutes and Universities offer Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in the field of Computers. Certain educational qualifications and admission Criteria is to be followed by the students of India to study Undergraduate Computer courses in the UK. Some of the requirements for Admissions are as follows:

• Candidates must have passed 10+2 or it’s equivalent from a recognized board with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
• Students must have a valid score in the English Proficiency tests IELTS, CPE, TOEFL iBT and CTE. Some of the Universities also consider SAT scores for admission.

Top colleges

How to become a SAS programmer in USA 

• Candidates must have passed 10+2 or it’s equivalent with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized board.
• Students must have a valid score in the English Proficiency tests IELTS, CPE, TOEFL iBT and CTE. Some of the Universities also consider SAT/ACT scores for admission.
• Candidates can apply for the desired course in their respective college through online. The Common Application portal is available for all the students.
• Personal and academic details along with the required documents must be uploaded and filled by the applicants in order to submit the form.

Top Colleges

How to become a SAS Programmer in Canada

• Candidates must have passed 10+2 or it’s equivalent from a recognized board with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
• Students must have a valid score in the English Proficiency tests IELTS, CPE, TOEFL iBT and CTE. Some of the Universities conduct online tests so students must have to secure a valid score for Admissions.
• The documents required to be uploaded while applying for admissions are 10th 12th mark sheets, Transfer certificate, recommendation letter, copy of passport and migration certificate.
• Candidates can visit the official website of the desired college and fill the application form for a particular course. Personal and academic details along with documents must be filled in order to submit the application form.
• Besides this some colleges may have entrance tests or interviews. Students must recognize the admission method and follow it further.

Top Colleges 

How to become a SAS Programmer in Australia

• Candidates must have passed 10+2 or it’s equivalent from a recognized board with a minimum of 75% aggregate marks.
• Students must have a valid score in the English Proficiency tests IELTS, CAE, TOEFL and PTE. Some of the Universities conduct online tests so students must have to secure a valid score for Admissions.
• The documents required to be uploaded while applying for admissions are 10th 12th mark sheets, Transfer certificate, statement of purpose, copy of passport and migration Certificate.
• Candidates can visit the official website of the desired college and fill the application form for a particular course. Personal and academic details along with documents must be filled in order to submit the application form.
• Besides this some colleges may have entrance tests or interviews. Students must recognize the admission method and follow it further.

Top Colleges

Benefits of Becoming a SAS Programmer 

SAS programmers deal with programming language and data collection. With the emerging IT sector SAS is one of the applications widely used in Financial, Banking, Clinical, Insurance and many other companies. With lots of work there are also some benefits being a SAS programmer.

• Salary: Career in SAS holds ample Opportunities be it at fresher or experienced level. Since the SAS software plays a major role in the markets the programmers are in good demand and paid well. A fresher SAS programmer can earn up to INR 2,50,000 on an average. Above that if you are well experienced and terribly skilled with the programming skills you can earn up to INR 8,00,000 on an average.
• Job Security: In the Fortune Magazine SAS has appeared to be in 19th place. The SAS software is considered prime for the future use in data management and security. Due to various advantages and capabilities there is a huge scope for SAS programmers. With emerging organizations, companies and firms there is no lack of job opportunities. It turns out to be an advantage for securing and confirming jobs. Since every programmer starts from fresher level to experienced all the employees are always encouraged to great heights.
• Positive Impact of the career: Existence of IT, software and Applications is considered to be a part of the digital economy. The SAS programming helps to safeguard and store data bases be it small, medium or large. On solving the problems in Computers and other smart devices Security and efficiency can be restored. Helping the companies, organizations and firms to stand firmly within the IT sector without the collapse of the economy is a major achievement with SAS as a career.
• Unique Experience: Though there is a lot of work to be done, everyday candidates may have to solve new problems. The programming language, techniques and data bases are vast areas that are major trouble shooters. With solving problems and creating solutions the programmers not only develop skills but also improve themselves. These daily operations make it different from other jobs.

Skills Required to become a SAS Programmer

There are a certain set of skills that students who aspire to become SAS programmer should inculcate and become proficient in it. Below tabulated are few of the skill sets for your reference,

Average Salary of a SAS Programmer

The SAS programmers have a salary according to their work experience and Certifications. It is also dependent on which component you are skilled at, the organization and posting. Anyway the salary also varies based on your knowledge.

Average Annual Salary

Specialization wise

Gender wise 

Experience wise 

These are approximate figures offered to the employees in various organizations. The salary may vary based on experience, knowledge and skills from company to company.