Becoming a Software Engineer

Competitive, engaging, and fast-paced, software engineering is a burgeoning career path. If you enjoy solving puzzles, learning new programming languages, and developing technological solutions to complex problems, software engineering might be the field for you.

Computer programming dates back to the early 1840s, when Ada Lovelace wrote the algorithm for an advanced calculating machine. Now, modern software engineers shape the future of work, play, and community life at major companies like Alphabet and Kaiser Permanente.

This page outlines how you can become a software engineer, including the education, experience, and skills needed to pursue this career path, as well as the kinds of jobs and salaries you can expect in this field.

What Is a Software Engineer?

A software engineer, closely related to the role of software developer, creates software engineering systems and programs that run computer-based devices. These professionals aim to develop affordable, accessible, safe, and effective software for end users.

To accomplish these goals, software engineers assess current products and look for ways to make them better, cheaper, or more efficient. They typically need to be able to code in a programming language such as Python, PHP, Go, or Ruby.

Software engineers can work in front-end development by designing websites, or in back-end development, where they might build servers to power those websites. They can also specialize in artificial intelligence, machine learning, or data engineering.

Although their work might seem individualized, software engineers often work in teams or pairs. They also may collaborate with designers, publishers, and sales professionals as they build new products.

What Education Does a Software Engineer Need?

While there is no minimum education requirement to become a software engineer, most employers expect to see a bachelor of computer science or a degree in a related field. You may also need professional certifications, which require continuing education credits to maintain.

Some companies look for engineers with a master's degree, which can add another 1-2 years to your education, but the extra time may be worth it. In August 2024, Payscale reported that people with a master's in software engineering brought in an average annual salary of $116,000, while those with a bachelor's in software engineering earned $88,000 annually.

However, software engineering is a practice-focused field, so what you can do is often more critical to your career success than what you know. Consequently, some aspiring engineers are turning to software engineering bootcamps for their career training. These accelerated, outcome-driven programs emphasize workplace-ready skills that can prepare you for a job much faster than most degree programs.

If you already hold a bachelor's degree in computer science, you might also consider a software engineering bootcamp to sharpen your skills in this area.

How Much Experience Does a Software Engineer Need?

Experience requirements for software engineers vary by position. Employers with large software development teams often hire candidates into different tiers according to experience level:

• Junior/Associate Software Engineer: Entry level; less than one year of experience required, ideal for recent college graduates
• Software Engineer I, II, or III: Midlevel; experience requirements vary by position and employer, typically 1-3+ years.
• Senior Software Engineer: Midlevel and late career; experience requirements vary by position and employer, typically 3-5+ years; job candidates with a master's degree may need less experience.

When applying for software engineering jobs, sharing a portfolio of completed work can help you stand out. Software engineering bootcamps can help you stand out as well by providing you with experience through hands-on, project-based assignments. Entry-level applicants can also benefit from pursuing internships during or after college.

Certifications for Software Engineers

Certifications, while optional, show employers a level of proficiency and dedication that can help engineers catch a recruiter's eye.

Below, we explore several popular certifications for software engineers.

How to Become a Software Engineer

Computer science professionals can enter their careers from a variety of paths. The most traditional way to become a software engineer is to earn a bachelor's degree, gain internship experience, and enter the job market. Software engineers also may begin their education with an associate degree and later transfer to a bachelor's program.

Some software engineers learn programming and computer science essentials through self-study and practice. While independent learners can access a wealth of free programming resources online, acquiring these skills on your own takes a significant amount of time.

Further, self-taught software engineers may face hiring challenges, as employers tend to prefer applicants with formal education. Self-taught tech professionals can boost their resumes with bootcamps, internships, projects, and certifications.

Bachelor's Degree Path

1. Earn a bachelor's degree. Most software engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. Majors to consider include software engineering, computer science, information technology, and computer and information systems.
2. Gain internship experience. Either while in school or shortly after graduating, secure an internship in software engineering or a closely related field. With several months of professional experience, you can boost your competitiveness with employers. Some internships may even translate into full-time job opportunities.
3. Select a specialty. In the vast software engineering field, most professionals choose a niche to specialize in. Picking a specialty makes it easier to narrow your job search. Popular options include front-end development, back-end development, full-stack development, quality assurance, data science, DevOps, and security engineering.
4. Pursue industry certifications. Though software engineers do not need certification, obtaining professional credentials can increase your competitiveness in the job market. Certification demonstrates broad engineering knowledge or specific programming language competency. Earning a certification often requires paying a fee and passing an exam.

Associate Degree Path

1. Earn an associate degree. Some software engineers begin their careers by earning an associate degree in software engineering or a related discipline like information technology. Associate degree programs can take two years to complete.
2. Gain relevant experience. After completing an associate degree program, aspiring software engineers can gain relevant tech experience by pursuing entry-level opportunities in software testing or computer and tech support.
3. Earn a bachelor's degree. To complete their undergraduate education, associate degree-holders can transfer to a bachelor's program in software engineering.
4. Select a specialty.
5. Pursue industry certifications.

Bootcamp Path

If you hold a bachelor's degree in a field unrelated to computer science or technology — or do not have a college degree — a software engineering bootcamp can offer an alternative pathway to a career in this field.

1. Take introductory courses online. If you have no prior knowledge of software engineering, consider signing up for free or inexpensive courses online through providers like Coursera and edX.
2. Complete a software engineering bootcamp. These intensive bootcamps may be offered online or in person and can last 3-12 months. You'll learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced concepts while completing hands-on projects to add to your portfolio.
3. Gain relevant experience. After completing the bootcamp, you can pursue entry-level developer roles. Some bootcamps include job placement services that can help you land a role in tech. There are also many tech companies that actively hire bootcamp graduates, including job-seekers who do not hold a degree.
4. Select a specialty.
5. Pursue industry certifications.

Should I Become a Software Engineer?

If you love STEM fields, enjoy applying your skills, and want to pursue a high-paying career in a growing sector, software engineering could be the career for you. Software engineers do much more than code. They also test and deploy their code, monitor their creations, and work with other engineers to solve problems, a technique known as pair programming.

As a software engineer, you can choose from many different career paths. You might select infrastructure programming or full-stack development, for example, or you could decide to work for a scrappy startup or an enterprise software publisher. You can drive your career in this field wherever you want to go.

Pros and Cons of a Career in Software Engineering

How Much Do Software Engineers Make?

Where you live, your experience in the industry, and the size of the company you work for can all affect how much money you can make as a software engineer.

In general, technology professionals who work in coastal cities earn more than those working in the heartland states. For instance, in 2023, software developers (including software engineers) in California earned a mean annual salary of $173,780, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), while those in Arkansas earned $88,130. However, workers in urban areas often have a higher cost of living than those in rural areas. By working from home, you may be able to earn a higher salary while living in a lower-cost area of the country.

In the technology sector, company size also affects compensation. Established corporations like Google and Facebook can pay attractive up-front salaries, but newer companies in the seed-funding stage may offer equity and stock benefits that can potentially pay off big in the future.

As in most fields, the more experience you have as a software engineer, the more money you are likely to make. Consider the information in the chart below.

FAQ About Becoming a Software Engineer

Are software engineers in demand?

Yes, software engineering professionals are in demand. The BLS projects that the U.S. job market will add 327,900 software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers between 2023 and 2033. Job openings are expected to expand across the country, with Texas, Florida, and California enjoying particularly strong growth rates.

Where do software engineers make the most money?

According to the BLS, the highest-paid software developers often work for software publishing or manufacturing companies. They generally work in states with high concentrations of technology companies or high-tech federal agencies, such as California, Washington, New York, or Massachusetts. However, some rural areas, such as southwest Montana and southeast Minnesota, also see strong wages for this career.

How long does it take to become a software engineer?

Software engineers typically need at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or software engineering. Some companies may only hire candidates with a master's degree, which usually takes an additional 1-2 years of full-time study. However, you might be able to secure an entry-level position after completing a coding bootcamp.

How hard is it to become a software engineer?

Software engineering can feel intimidating because it requires coding and math skills, but if you like to solve puzzles, it can be a good fit for you. Although the coursework is often challenging, having adequate preparation, choosing the right school, and participating in beneficial internships can help you complete your degree and secure your first job in software engineering.