Common Software Engineering Jobs and Salaries
Software engineers develop and maintain software applications and other systems so that they remain functioning for users. The job requires you to analyze the user and develop a program that will help them reach their end goal as easily and efficiently as possible. It’s a job that requires very structured and logical thinking, as well as an extreme attention to detail. To become a software engineer, you will need to first earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and have be knowledgeable about programming languages and operating systems. It will also be important to know at least one programming language pretty extensively.
Becoming a software engineer isn’t for everyone, but it’s a quickly growing field as our daily lives go digital. It’s also a great field for women to get into, as it is an industry that is lacking in female workers. According to data from PayScale, 90 percent of software engineers are male, while only 10 percent are female.
It can also be a lucrative field, with PayScale reporting the average salary for a software engineer as $74,947, with a reported salary range of $51,751 to $109,061. The highest paid software engineers are, perhaps not surprisingly, located in Mountain View, CA where the average salary is $111,000. Behind Mountain View are Sunnyvale, San Jose, San Francisco, and Seattle with average salaries of $101,000, $98,000, $97,000, and $93,000, respectively. However, there are a number of titles and career paths to choose from within software engineering.
Junior Software Engineer
As the entry-level point for software engineers, a junior software engineer is someone that has recently graduated or changed careers and is entering into the engineering field. Junior software engineers aren’t cut any breaks though, as the job still requires a solid foundation in java-based applications, C#, HTML, CSS, information technology, computer science, software, and programming languages. As a junior software engineer, you won’t be responsible for necessarily creating programs, but you will be tasked with designing code and modifying current software. Junior software engineers may also be tasked with QAing applications developed by more senior software engineers.
According to PayScale, the average salary for a junior software engineer is $53,003 per year, with a reported salary range of $34,674 to $72,216 annually. The highest paid junior software engineers are located in San Jose, where the average yearly salary is $79,000. Next are San Francisco and Boston, where the average salaries are $67,000 per year. Python is one skill associated with higher pay for junior software engineers, earning an average salary that is 20 percent higher than junior software engineers without Python skills.
Check out openings on Monster to find junior software engineer jobs and junior software developer jobs in your area.
Lead Software Development Engineer
A lead software engineer is responsible for managing a project and overseeing its execution. It might involve defining the goal of a project, figuring out any potential issues, planning for any possible problems, and ensuring that the project is meeting its deadline. However, the job varies from company to company and also depends on the type of products you are working on.
According to PayScale, the average salary for a lead software development engineer is $99,202 per year, with a reported salary range of $73,226 to $143,046 annually. The highest paid lead software engineers are in Redmond, WA where the average salary is $135,000 per year. San Jose and San Francisco are next, with average salaries of $131,000 and $127,000, respectively.
Check out openings on Monster to find Lead Software Development Engineer jobs in your area.
Senior Software Engineer
A senior software engineer is someone who has been in the position for a while and has moved up the ladder. They are responsible for designing, evaluating, and testing software for whatever company they work for. As a senior software engineer, you might lead a team of engineers to develop a product or improve software. Therefore, to become a senior software engineer, you will need to demonstrate strong leadership skills.
According to PayScale, the average salary for a senior software engineer is $100,597 per year, with a reported salary range of $75,598 to $142,398 annually. The highest paid senior software engineers are in Sunnyvale, CA where the average salary is $131,000 per year. San Jose and Mountain View aren’t too far behind, reporting average yearly salaries of $129,000 per year.
Check out openings on Monster to find Senior Software Engineer jobs in your area.
Principal Software Engineer
Generally speaking, principal software engineer is one of the highest positions software engineers can reach in the field. Principal software engineers are responsible for researching new technology, coming up with the concepts and designs for software components, collaborate on products, create new products and deliver prototypes, as well as designing, developing, integrating, testing, and deploying the software for a company.
According to PayScale, the average salary for a principal software engineer is $120,542 per year, with a reported salary range of $97,353 to $159,769 annually. The highest paid principal software engineers are in Sunnyvale, CA where the average salary is $149,000 per year. Santa Clara, Mountain View, and San Francisco are all next with average yearly salaries of $146,000 per year.
Check out openings on Monster to find Principal Software Engineer jobs in your area.