Career outlook software engineering

Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering or mathematics. Computer and information technology degree programs cover a broad range of topics. Students may gain experience in software development by completing an internship, such as at a software company, while in college. Although writing code is not their primary responsibility, developers must have a strong background in computer programming.

They usually gain this experience in school. Throughout their career, developers must keep up to date on new tools and computer languages. Software developers can advance to become project management specialists or computer and information systems managers , positions in which they oversee the software development process. Analytical skills. Communication skills. These workers must be able to give clear instructions and explain problems that arise to other team members involved in development.

They must also be able to explain to nontechnical users, such as customers, how the software works and answer any questions that arise. Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers must be innovative in their approaches to designing, identifying problems with, and improving computer software. Detail oriented. These workers often need to concentrate on many parts of an application or system at the same time, and they must pay attention to detail when looking for potential areas of user error.

Interpersonal skills. Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, programming, and testing successful software. Problem-solving skills. Because these workers produce software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process.

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U. Source: U. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

In May , the median annual wages for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program. The need for new applications on smart phones and tablets will help increase the demand for software developers. The health and medical insurance and reinsurance carriers industry will need innovative software to manage new healthcare policy enrollments and administer existing policies digitally.

As the number of people who use this digital platform increases over time, demand for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers will grow. Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are likely to see new opportunities because of an increase in the number of products that use software. For example, computer systems are routinely built into consumer electronics and other products, such as cell phones and appliances.

Concerns over threats to computer security could result in more investment in security software to protect computer networks and electronic infrastructure. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link s below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. All state projections data are available at www. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state.

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.

Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology. Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization. Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks LANs , wide area networks WANs , and Intranets.

Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems. Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. Web developers create and maintain websites.

Digital designers develop, create, and test website or interface layout, functions, and navigation for usability. Association for Computing Machinery. Association for Software Testing. Computing Research Association. Software developers, applications. Software quality assurance analysts and testers. Every candidate builds their core knowledge with initial courses in:. This entirely online program further customizes student experiences with two areas of concentration. The Data Science track provides advanced lessons on how to turn raw data into useful insights.

Baylor University also offers a Software Engineering track with courses in:. A graduate degree from a leading university can help you make the most out of software engineer jobs and demand. Niche gave Baylor an A grade and a No. The Online Masters in Computer Science is geared to fit your personal and professional life. An assigned Student Success Advisor guides your experience from orientation to graduation. Graduates of every Baylor University program carry forward its long-standing mission.

Your computer science courses are infused with the following values :. Get your free Baylor Online Masters in Computer Science program guide here or chat with an enrollment advisor today to find the right track for your software engineering career. Whether you have a simple question or need advice to determine if this program is the best for you, our friendly advisors are here to help.

They can chat with you on your schedule and guide you through the entire admissions process so that you feel confident in moving forward with Baylor University.

Get in Touch. Skip to main content. Computer Science. Why Baylor University Online? Explaining the Demand for Software Engineers The global use of technology driven by software is a general explanation for the state of software engineer jobs and demand.

Building Skills Needed in the Software Engineer Job Market We know why there are plenty of software engineer jobs and demand for talent. Their two-year projections of the biggest growth in engineering skill demands include: Docker Choosing Your Software Engineering Career Path Software engineering is a broader term for a number of roles that turn designs into real-world programs. These professionals must understand programming languages and have exceptional problem-solving skills.

Computer engineers work closely with software developers , computer programmers , and other related professionals. Although computer engineers typically work in technology, they may also find jobs in manufacturing, research, and government positions. Learn more about the life and responsibilities of a computer engineer by visiting the following links:. However, salaries vary depending on factors like experience: Computer engineers with more years of experience often earn higher salaries than entry-level workers.

Degree specializations also contribute to differences in pay. Location also influences industry salaries. For example, the BLS lists Washington, California, and Massachusetts as the states with the highest wages for computer hardware engineers.

Meanwhile, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Nevada offer some of the lowest average salaries. Source: BLS. Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level. Generally, more experienced professionals earn higher salaries. As computer engineers accrue experience and advanced degrees or certifications, they can command higher salaries. The following table lists the average annual computer engineer salary outlook based on experience.

Recent computer engineering graduates pursue entry-level careers, gaining on-the-job experience as their career advances. An associate degree in computer science or a coding bootcamp can lead to apprenticeship or junior-level opportunities.

However, most skilled positions require at least a bachelor's degree. These jobs typically offer higher wages. A master of science in computer engineering can also significantly boost a graduate's ability to advance their career and earn a higher salary. Gaining several years of experience with a company can also lead to advancement. Additionally, computer engineering certificates build crucial computer networking and architecture skills to make prospective employees more competitive.

These certificates are often more affordable than a graduate degree. The table below lists the average hourly and annual wages for degree-holders at different education levels. Note that these figures represent all degree-holders across computer science, not solely computer engineers. Like many careers, computer science salaries tend to rise in urban areas where the cost of living is higher.

States with thriving business sectors — like Washington , California , and Massachusetts — top the list of states with the highest average computer engineer salary. The World Population Review notes these states also have some of the highest costs of living in the country: Where the national average cost of living scores , California's is A higher cost of living leads to higher housing costs and living expenses, which can negate the benefits of a sizable salary.

Other states with more rural communities also need computer engineers and pay well for them. All three states also have lower-than-average costs of living, ranging from It is crucial to consider computer engineer salary versus demand and cost of living when choosing the best area to start your career.

The BLS data in the tables below shows the top-paying states and metropolitan regions for computer engineers in The demand for computer engineers continues to grow, albeit more slowly than other computer-related occupations.