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Important Career Information
Computer software engineers are among the occupations projected to grow the fastest and add the most new jobs over the 2008-18 decade, resulting in excellent job prospects.
Very good opportunities are expected for college graduates with at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science and with practical work experience.
A computer software engineer must continually strive to acquire new skills in conjunction with the rapid changes that are occurring in computer technology.
Salary: How Much Do Computer Software Engineers Make?
In May 2008, median annual pay of computer applications software engineers were $85,430. The middle 50 percent were paid between $67,790 and $104,870. The lowest 10 percent were paid less than $53,720, and the highest 10 percent were paid more than $128,870. Median annual pay in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer applications software engineers in May 2008 were:
Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers $93,740
Software publishers 87,710
Management of companies and enterprises 85,990
Computer systems design and related services 84,610
Insurance carriers 80,370
In May 2008, median annual pay of computer systems software engineers were $92,430. The middle 50 percent were paid between $73,200 and $113,960. The lowest 10 percent were paid less than $57,810, and the highest 10 percent were paid more than $135,780. Median annual pay in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer systems software engineers in May 2008 were:
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences $102,090
Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 101,270
Software publishers 93,590
Navigational measuring electromedical and control instruments manufacturing 91,720
Computer systems design and related services 91,610
What does a Computer Software Engineer do? Computer Software Engineer Jobs, Job Description, and Responsibilities
The explosive impact of computers and information technology on our everyday lives has
generated a need to design and develop new computer software systems and to incorporate new
technologies into a rapidly growing range of applications. The tasks performed by a computer software engineer evolves quickly, reflecting new areas of specialization
or changes in technology, as well as the preferences and practices of employers. A computer
software engineer applies the principles and techniques of computer science, engineering,
and mathematical analysis to the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the
software and systems that enable computers to perform their many applications.
Computer software engineers working in applications or systems development analyze users' needs and design, construct, test, and maintain computer applications software or systems. A computer software engineer can be involved in the design and development of many types of software, including software for operating systems and network distribution, and compilers, which convert programs for execution on a computer. In programming, or coding, a software engineer instructs a computer, line by line, how to perform a function. A computer software engineer also solves technical problems that arise. Software engineers must possess strong programming skills, but are more concerned with developing algorithms and analyzing and solving programming problems than with actually writing code.
A computer applications software engineer analyzes users' needs and design, constructs, and maintains general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Computer applications software engineer use different programming languages, depending on the purpose of the program. The programming languages most often used are C, C++, and Java, with Fortran and COBOL used less commonly. Somecomputer software engineers develop both packaged systems and systems software or create customized applications.
A computer systems software engineer coordinates the construction and maintenance of a company's computer systems and plan their future growth. Working with the company, software engineers coordinate each department's computer needs—ordering, inventory, billing, and payroll recordkeeping. A computer systems software engineer also might set up the company's intranets—networks that link computers within the organization and ease communication among the various departments.
Computer systems software engineers work for companies that configure, implement, and install complete computer systems. Since the selling of complex computer systems often requires substantial customization for the purchaser's organization, computer software engineers help to explain the requirements necessary for installing and operating the new system in the purchaser's computing environment. In addition, a systems software engineer is responsible for ensuring security across the systems they are configuring.
Job Working Conditions for Computer Software Engineers
A computer software engineer normally works in well-lighted and comfortable offices or laboratories in which computer equipment is located. Most software engineers work at least 40 hours a week; however, due to the project-oriented nature of the work, they also may have to work evenings or weekends to meet deadlines or solve unexpected technical problems.
Computer Software Engineer Training, College Programs, and Advancement
Most employers prefer to hire persons who have at least a bachelor's degree and broad knowledge of, and experience with, a variety of computer systems and technologies. The usual degree concentration for applications software engineers is computer science or software engineering; for systems software engineers, it is computer science or computer information systems. Graduate degrees are preferred for some of the more complex jobs.
For systems software engineering jobs that require engineers who have a college degree, a bachelor's degree in computer science or computer information systems is typical. For systems engineering jobs that place less emphasis on an engineer having a computer-related degree, computer training programs leading to certification are offered by systems software vendors. Nonetheless, most training authorities feel that program certification alone is not sufficient for the majority of software engineering jobs.
As is the case with most careers, advancement opportunities for computer software engineers increase with experience. An entry-level computer software engineer is likely to test and verify ongoing designs. As a software engineer becomes more experienced, they may become involved in designing and developing software. Eventually, a software engineer may advance to become a project manager, manager of information systems, or chief information officer. Some computer software engineers with several years of experience or expertise find lucrative opportunities working as systems designers or independent consultants or starting their own computer consulting firms.
Where are the Jobs? Computer Software Engineer Jobs
Computer software engineers held about 800,000 jobs in 2004. Approximately 460,000 were computer applications software engineers, and around 340,000 were computer systems software engineers. Although they are employed in most industries, the largest concentration of computer software engineers—almost 30 percent—are in computer systems design and related services. Many computer software engineers also work for establishments in other industries, such as software publishers, government agencies, manufacturers of computers and related electronic equipment, and management of companies and enterprises.
An increasing number of computer software engineers are employed on a temporary or contract basis, with many being self-employed, working independently as consultants. Some consultants work for firms that specialize in developing and maintaining client companies' Web sites and intranets.
Job Outlook and Job Opportunities for Computer Software Engineers
Jobs for computer software engineers are expected to increase much faster than the average for all careers, as businesses and other organizations adopt and integrate new technologies and seek to maximize the efficiency of their computer systems. In addition to computer software engineer jobs created through jobs growth, many job openings will result annually from the need to replace specialists who move into managerial jobs, transfer to other careers, or leave the labor force.
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According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting computer software engineer salary offers for graduates with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering averaged $56,201 in 2007. Starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor's degree in computer science averaged $53,396.
According to Robert Half Technology, starting salaries for software engineers in software development ranged from $66,500 to $99,750 in 2007. For network engineers, starting salaries ranged from $65,750 to $90,250.
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Computer software engineers are projected to be one of the fastest-growing careers from 2009 to 2014. Rapid jobs growth in the computer systems design and related services industry, which employs the greatest number of computer software engineers, should result in very good opportunities for those college graduates with at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science and practical experience working with computers. Employers will continue to seek computer professionals with strong programming, systems analysis, interpersonal, and business skills.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting computer software engineer salary offers for graduates with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering averaged $56,201 in 2007. Starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor's degree in computer science averaged $53,396.
