Software Engineer: Career Overview
Official government data · Updated April 2026
Software Engineers earn a national median of $133,080/yr with 15.8% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Computers and Electronics, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service.
Median Salary
$133,080
National · 2024
10-Year Growth
15.8%
Much faster than average
Employed Nationally
1,654,440
2024 data
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree
Entry-level
What Employers Expect From a Software Engineer
These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Software Engineer candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge domains most important for Software Engineer performance, based on verified occupational data.
Tools & Technologies
High-demand tools and technologies for Software Engineer roles.
Job Outlook: 2024–2034
Employment is projected to grow 15.8% for Software Engineer roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's much faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.
- Current Employment
- 1,654,440
- Projected Growth
- 15.8%
- Typical Education
- Bachelor's degree
Top Employers
Companies actively hiring for Software Engineer roles, ranked by disclosure volume. Salaries reflect base pay from employer disclosure records.
| Company | Median Disclosed Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix Inc | $226,158 | 49 |
| Coinbase Global | $212,500 | 13 |
| Salesforce Inc | $201,620 | 315 |
| SpaceX | $199,534 | 1 |
| Twilio Inc | $193,965 | 46 |
| Meta Platforms Inc | $190,976 | 1,056 |
Base salary only — excludes equity and bonuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a Software Engineer do?
- Software Engineers apply expertise in Computers and Electronics, Mathematics, Customer and Personal Service to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Programming, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension.
- How much does a Software Engineer make?
- The national median salary for a Software Engineer is $133,080 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
- Is Software Engineer a good career in 2026?
- Employment for Software Engineer roles is projected to grow 15.8% over the 2024–2034 decade — much faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 1,654,440 workers in this occupation nationally.
- What education do you need to become a Software Engineer?
- The typical entry-level education for a Software Engineer is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
- What skills do Software Engineers need?
- The most important skills for Software Engineer roles based on verified occupational data: Programming, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Systems Analysis, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Technology Design, Systems Evaluation. Key tools and technologies include: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Apache Kafka, Atlassian JIRA, C, C#.
Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?
Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.
Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.