How to become a Software Engineer
Software engineers usually have a bachelor's degree, typically in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Many students gain experience in software development by completing an internship at a software company while in college.
Software engineers must have a strong background in computer programming. Throughout their career, software engineers must keep up to date on new tools and computer languages.
Software engineers also need skills related to the industry in which they work. Software engineers working in a bank, for example, should have knowledge of finance so that they can understand a bank's computing needs.
Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
What skills help Software Engineers find jobs?
- APIs
- AWS
- Agile
- Angular
- Azure
- C
- C#
- C++
- CI/CD
- Communication skills
- Data structures
- Design patterns
Career progression for Software Engineer
Education levels for Software Engineers
| required level of education | percent of job openings |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 61.1% |
| Master's degree | 22.2% |
| Associate's degree | 8.1% |
| High school diploma or GED | 5.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 1.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 0.9% |
| Master's degree | 0.5% |
| Bachelor's degree | 0.2% |
Expected salary by experience
| Years of experience | Annual salary in USD |
|---|---|
| 0 - 4 | $73,400 |
| 4 - 8 | $84,100 |
| 8 - 12 | $96,800 |
| 12 - 16 | $107,100 |
| 16 - 20 | $111,200 |
| 20 - 24 | $114,700 |
Common qualifications for Software Engineers
Explore popular schools to earn these qualifications
Common questions about career advices for a Software Engineer
What is the best way for a software engineer to get an interview?
Employers usually start a search for a software engineer with a resume screening, so having a concise, well structured resume, listing your qualifications, previous experience and technical skills is vital.
What does the hiring process look like for a software engineer and how long does it take?
Hiring processes for software engineers often differ by company, department and team. Usual interviews include technical q&a, resume review, pair programming, whiteboard exercises and architecture design. This process can sometimes be covered in 1 day, but it usually takes place over several weeks. You can use the hiring process to better understand the culture of the team you will be joining. Interview processes that test for skills you will use on a daily basis, and put you in front of several different members of the company are usually better as they lead to better outcomes for everybody involved.
How do you become a software engineer?
To become a software engineer you will need an associate or bachelor's degree in computer science. Gain experience in an internship or apprenticeship while in school and then apply for entry-level software development jobs after graduating from college.
