 |
Your Information Resource for Education, Training, and Schools |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|||||||
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAREERS: |
Find Software Engineering Schools Near You
Employment Outlook for Computer Programmers and Software Engineers
There were about 697,000 software engineers employed in 2000, with 55 percent working on applications software, and 45 percent working on systems software. Computer programmers held about 585,000 jobs in 2000. Almost half of the software engineers worked for application software developers or for companies that provide contract computer programming and systems integration services. The remainder worked for private industry or government agencies.
A growing number of software engineers and programmers are self-employed, working as contractors or consultants. About 55,0000 software engineers and 22,000 computer programmers were self-employed in 2000. The ability to work as a self-employed programmer is especially strong for individuals with specialized skills who can be brought in to solve a specific business problem for a company without the company having to train their existing workforce to do the job.
Demand for Computer Software Engineers is Expected to Grow
The increasing growth of networks and Internet technologies means that computer software engineering is expected to be the fastest growing occupation this decade. In addition to the growing number of new positions, engineers will be needed to fill positions left open by employees who advance to management roles in the industry.
Demand for computer programmers is expected to grow at a slower rate. This is partially due to the fact that some programming tasks have become automated, and partially because some tasks that previously required a programmer can now be done by the end user, using more sophisticated computer applications. Nonetheless, there will continue to be a demand for qualified programmers with strong skills.
There are abundant advancement opportunities for programmers and software engineers. While an entry-level employee may be responsible for testing and verifying the design of an application, with experience, he or she will begin to design and develop software on by themselves. With experience, software engineers can advance to positions including project manager, manager of information systems, or chief information officer. Another advancement path is to become independent, working as a consultant.
Software engineers who develop applications had median earnings of $67,670 in 2000. For those developing systems software, the median income was $69,530. The highest paid ten percent in both categories made more than $105,240. Computer programmers made slightly less, with median annual earnings of $57,590 in 2000. Top paid programmers made more than $93,210.
Entry level software engineers with a bachelor's degree in computer engineering made, on average, $53,924 in 2001. For those with a degree in computer science, the average starting salary was 52,723. The starting salary for individuals with a degree in computer programming was $48,602 a year in 2001.