Americas Job Outlook for Technical Careers

Employment Field:
Computer Software Engineers

46% increase in jobs 2002 - 2012

Significant Points

Computer software engineers are projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2002-12 period.

Highly favorable opportunities are expected for college graduates with at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science and with practical work experience.

Computer software engineers must continually strive to acquire new skills in conjunction with the rapid changes in computer technology.

Nature of the Work

Computer software engineers apply 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. (A separate statement on computer hardware engineers appears elsewhere in the Handbook.)

Software engineers working in applications or systems development analyze users' needs and design, construct, test, and maintain computer applications software or systems.

Computer applications software engineers analyze users' needs and design, construct, and maintain general computer applications software or specialized utility programs.

Computer systems software engineers coordinate the construction and maintenance of a company's computer systems and plan their future growth. Working with a company, they coordinate each department's computer needs ordering, inventory, billing, and payroll recordkeeping.

Systems software engineers work for companies that configure, implement, and install complete computer systems.

Computer software engineers often work as part of a team that designs new hardware, software, and systems. A core team may comprise engineering, marketing, manufacturing, and design people who work together until the product is released.

Working Conditions

Computer software engineers normally work in well-lighted and comfortable offices or computer 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. Like other workers who sit for hours at a computer, typing on a keyboard, software engineers are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort, and hand and wrist problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Employment

Computer software engineers held about 675,000 jobs in 2002. About 394,000 were computer applications software engineers, and about 281,000 were computer systems software engineers.

Training

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. Graduate degrees are preferred for some of the more complex jobs.

Job Outlook

Highly favorable 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.

Despite the recent downturn in information technology, employment of computer software engineers is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations.

Earnings

Median annual earnings of computer applications software engineers who worked full time in 2002 were about $70,900. The middle 50 percent earned between $55,510 and $88,660. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $44,830, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $109,800. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer applications software engineers in 2002 were:

  • Software publishers $76,450
  • Navigational, measuring, electro medical, and control instruments manufacturing 75,890
  • Computer systems design and related services 71,890
  • Architectural, engineering, and related services 70,090
  • Management of companies and enterprises 67,260

Median annual earnings of computer systems software engineers who worked full time in 2002 were about $74,040. The middle 50 percent earned between $58,500 and $91,160. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,890, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $111,600. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer systems software engineers in 2002 are shown below:

  • Scientific research and development services $82,270
  • Software publishers 77,120
  • Navigational, measuring, electro medical, and control instruments manufacturing 76,200
  • Computer systems design and related services 73,460
  • Wired telecommunications carriers 68,510