Average Annual Salary:
According to PayScale, the average annual salary for an entry-level software engineer is $95,000. Considering that software engineers with less than one year of experience can expect to earn around $80,000, it is evident that software engineering is a lucrative career path. However, not all software engineers are paid equally. Anecdotally, we have noticed that some companies specialize in paying their software engineers less than the industry average. When negotiating a salary with a potential employer, it is important to be aware of this.
Employment Outlook:
The employment outlook for software engineers is excellent. According to PayScale, there are currently around 370,000 job openings for software engineers in the U.S. Furthermore, the demand for software engineers is anticipated to increase by 14% by 2020.
Job Description:
Software engineers are responsible for developing various products and features for computer systems. They may work on client projects or internally within a company. Their duties may include designing systems architecture, programming software, testing the software, and presenting the results to customers and/or managers.
Depending on their area of expertise, software engineers may specialize in various sectors. For example, software engineers may work in the healthcare sector developing medical records systems, in the financial services sector designing lending programs for small businesses, or in the education sector creating online learning platforms. In short, there is a demand for all types of software engineers, and the field is expected to grow by 26% in the next decade.
Benefits:
In addition to having a lucrative salary, software engineers can look forward to enjoying some of the following benefits: healthcare coverage, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability insurance.
Considering that not all employers will provide these benefits, it is important to seek out those that do. Some companies specialize in providing exceptional benefits for their employees, which could attract top talent and encourage them to stick around for a while.
How to Become a Software Engineer:
If you are looking to become a software engineer, you will need to complete a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering. Afterwards, you may pursue a Master’s degree, such as a Master of Business Administration, Master of Engineering, or Master of Science in Computer Science. In addition, you may need to gain some experience by completing an associate degree or taking online classes.
Some employers may require a bachelor’s degree, while others may only require an associate degree. Furthermore, some schools offer in-demand software engineering degrees at a fraction of the price of a bachelor’s degree. For example, the price of a New York University online degree in computer science is only $26 per month. This is in comparison to the $104 fee per semester for full tuition at a traditional four-year university.
Considering all the perks available to them, it is really no wonder why so many people want to become software engineers. If you are looking for a career that offers amazing opportunities and a good salary, why not consider software engineering? We hope this article helped you in making an informed decision about your future career direction.