As our lives become increasingly digitized, software engineers – the creative and technical minds behind the computer programs, applications and systems that power everything from spaceships to smartphones – are more in demand than ever. It’s already a well-paying position, and the rapid expansion of the tech sector during the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to drive software engineer salaries even higher in the coming years.
So if you are a talented coder and a natural problem solver, this could be the career for you.
If you’re thinking about getting into this growth area, you might be wondering:
What is the typical salary for a software engineer?
What does a software engineer do?
How to become a software engineer?
How long does it take to become a software engineer?
What does it take to succeed as a software engineer?
Let’s take a closer look to help you decide if this is the right career path for you.
What does a software engineer do?
Simply put, they write software according to engineering principles. This means that they offer elegant and robust solutions to often complex problems.
They often have the freedom to be bold and creative. They frequently question – and, if necessary, revise – the original project specifications. This sets them apart from software developers, who typically work within a predefined set of requirements.
The day-to-day responsibilities of a software engineer may include:
Design of engineering specifications for software programs and applications
Work with QA team to develop software test plans
Collaborate with hardware engineers to evaluate and test hardware and software interactions
Set up a specific development methodology
Document software specifications
What is the typical salary for a software engineer?
It’s an in-demand position and employers are paying accordingly. Depending on your experience and qualifications, you can expect to be offered a starting salary between $103,750 and $172,500, according to Robert Half Technology’s 2021 salary guide.
As with most jobs, your salary will also vary depending on where you work.
Use our salary calculator to adjust the entry-level software engineer salary for your city.
How to become a software engineer?
Most employers expect applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as computer science or electrical engineering. You need a solid foundation in one of the major programming languages, which include Java, C++, and C#. It helps if you can view completed projects in at least one of these languages.
Employers are also looking for candidates with a wide range of technology skills. Depending on the job, you may need to demonstrate skills in:
Linux, 3SQL and databases
Containerization systems like Kubernetes or Docker
Frameworks such as .NET or Ruby on Rails
More importantly, you will need enthusiasm and mental agility to adopt and master new technologies in record time. Software engineers never stop learning. They constantly follow developments and interact with other engineers. Keep your knowledge up to date by participating in relevant conversations on sites like Stack Overflow and Quora.
How long does it take to become a software engineer?
You’ll need at least four years to complete your degree, plus several more years of software development experience to become a software engineer. Many employers are looking for around five years of work experience, although this varies depending on the nature of the position.
After graduating, you can start in a support or analyst role. This gives you hands-on experience with business software and production systems. Your next role could be Junior Software Developer, which gives you the opportunity to create and deploy new software.
However, the quality of your experience is often more important than the quantity. Employers might take a chance on a recruit if you have a substantial portfolio of completed work. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep your online portfolio, like on GitHub, up to date with all the projects you’ve worked on in your spare time.
What does it take to succeed as a software engineer?
Software engineers are at the heart of res