Software Engineering
Software engineering applies engineering discipline — requirements, design, testing and maintenance — to building software that real people and businesses rely on. Graduates design, build, test and improve applications and systems.
Where Software Engineering can lead
A field of study is not one job. These are the occupations BLS tracks for this pathway, with median annual pay (May 2025) and projected change in employment (2025–35); total U.S. employment is projected to grow 3.5%.
| Occupation | Median pay | Outlook | Openings / year | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software developers Outlook and openings for BLS group: software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers |
$135,980 | +10% Much faster than average |
106,100 | Bachelor's degree |
| Software quality assurance analysts and testers Outlook and openings for BLS group: software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers |
$104,300 | +10% Much faster than average |
106,100 | Bachelor's degree |
| Web developers Outlook and openings for BLS group: web developers and digital designers |
$92,650 | +5% Faster than average |
13,600 | Bachelor's degree |
| Database administrators and architects | $126,760 | +4% About as fast as average |
7,300 | Bachelor's degree |
BLS has no separate 'software engineer' occupation; software engineers are counted as software developers.
Median: half of workers earned more, half earned less. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, checked 2026-10-07.
What software developers earn
Pay varies widely with experience, employer and location. BLS figures for May 2025.
Often new graduates
Half earned more, half less
Often senior or specialized roles
Median pay by industry
| Industry | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Software publishers | $164,550 |
| Manufacturing | $136,330 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $135,680 |
| Finance and insurance | $135,460 |
| Computer systems design and related services | $132,050 |
Source: BLS, software developers (pay and work environment tabs).
Where the jobs are
The five states with the most jobs for software developers in May 2025, with local median and average (mean) pay. Pay is usually higher where living costs are higher.
| State | Jobs | Median pay | Mean pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 284,390 | $174,410 | $186,770 |
| Texas | 163,880 | $132,150 | $136,450 |
| New York | 113,510 | $166,180 | $163,820 |
| Washington | 107,030 | $166,540 | $171,040 |
| Virginia | 88,280 | $136,460 | $146,340 |
BLS publishes estimates for all 50 states and DC for this occupation. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What the work is really like
From O*NET, which surveys people working in the job. Most work full time.
Common tasks
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
- Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
- Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
- Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.
What workers report
| Share of workers who… | Share |
|---|---|
| Sit continually or almost continually | |
| Say working with a team is extremely important | |
| Work a typical 40-hour week | |
| Face time pressure at least weekly (not daily) |
Technology used on the job
Interests that fit this work (Holland codes): Investigative, Conventional. Source: O*NET OnLine, 15-1252.00, checked 2026-10-07.
How to get there, step by step
A typical route. Many people reach the same job in different ways.
- Step 1
Build a base
Math, any programming course and small personal projects.
- Step 2
Bachelor's degree
Software engineering or computer science, usually four years.
- Step 3
Internships
Team projects, internships and code you can show.
- Step 4
Developer or QA
Software developer, QA analyst/tester, web or database roles.
- Goal
Lead and design
Senior engineer, architect or engineering manager with experience.
High school preparation
- Advanced math (algebra through calculus if available)
- AP Computer Science A or AP Computer Science Principles
- Any course with team projects
- English and communication — you will write and review a lot
Course suggestions are Margdarshan's guidance; what you can take depends on your school. See the high school guide for GPA, AP and dual enrollment.
Degrees and what you study
Typically a bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering or mathematics.
Education workers say their job requires (O*NET)
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | |
| Associate's degree | |
| Master's degree |
Costs and aid: see College & Money. Important qualities BLS lists for software developers: analytical skills, communication skills, creativity, detail oriented, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills.
Why demand is changing
BLS expects strong demand from the continued expansion of software for artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and other automation, plus security concerns and the growing number of products that use software.
Much faster than average (BLS group)
Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers
Average over the decade, including replacements
Studying from outside the U.S.? Education and immigration are separate pathways — see the international student guide.
Advice for getting in
Margdarshan's guidance, based on the data above.
- Learn version control (Git) and testing early — O*NET lists Git among the technologies software developers use most.
- Practice working in teams; 71% of software developers told O*NET that teamwork is extremely important.
- Read other people's code: modifying existing software is one of the most common tasks.
Frequently asked questions
Related career pathways
Where these facts come from
Official sources only, checked on the dates shown.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Software developers checked 2026-10-07
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Software quality assurance analysts and testers checked 2026-10-07
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Web developers checked 2026-10-07
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Database administrators and architects checked 2026-10-07
- O*NET OnLine: 15-1252.00 · U.S. Department of Labor checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates via the BLS Public Data API checked 2026-10-07