With digitization on the rise, careers in the software engineering industry are booming! In 2022, more industries and companies are adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and big data solutions. In fact, software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers should see a 25% increase in employment between 2021 and 2031, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Furthermore, the industry for software development is predicted to employ a staggering 1.3 million tech professionals by 2022.
Software engineers also earn handsomely. In the United States, a software engineer makes an average yearly salary of $94077. A Senior Software Engineer earns an average annual wage of $116088, making it well-paid.
With huge demand, software development, and the global IT outsourcing market will reach 610.12 billion by 2027.
When you think of a software engineer, you may imagine someone who spends their days in a grungy basement coding. The truth is the field of software engineering is diverse and can offer several high-paying jobs. In this blog post, we will look at 14 of the highest-paying software engineer jobs. So whether you are just starting your career or looking to make a change, read on for inspiration!
Why Should You Choose Software Engineering as a Career?
Software Engineering is known for its expeditious and inventive nature. It is also a job in high demand, as we stated earlier. Just some of the many reasons why this career is worth having are as follows;
- You will be able to work remotely
- Outstanding salary package
- Autonomy
- Job Security
- You can code your applications
14 Highest-Paying Software Engineering Jobs
Mentioned below are some of the highest-paying software engineering jobs, the average payout, their usual responsibilities, and the qualification and skills needed.
1. Full Stack Developer
Average Income Per Year: $102,224
Responsibilities: In a Full stack developer role, you will need to use your knowledge of front-and back-end development to create back-end coding and visual designs for websites.
You may also be responsible for creating mobile applications for the websites they create.
Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Development, or Computer Programming. They should also have advanced knowledge of various coding languages, including Python, JavaScript, and CSS.
2. System engineer
Average Income Per Year: $101,451
Responsibilities: The systems engineer is a crucial player in the multi-dimensional computer world, and their primary responsibility is to identify early in the product or service development cycle the needs of the customer or stakeholder and the system’s core functions.
They frequently collaborate with an engineering team and project manager to serve as the communication bridge between various groups. Systems engineers focus on performance, testing, scheduling, and budgets as they work through each process stage, from the initial plan to validation and implementation.
Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related area.
3. Chief Technology Officer
Average Income Per Year: $160,093
Responsibilities: Within a company, this is an executive position. As the company’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), you will manage both the IT and the resource and development departments. The position’s primary responsibilities include investigating emerging technologies and locating organizational weaknesses that appropriate IT procedures could address.
Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Business, or Information Systems Management. Further, it would be best if you considered a Master’s Degree in Business Administration or Information Technology and several years of experience in a related role.
4. Data Scientist
Average Income Per Year: $140,232
Responsibilities: A data scientist’s job is to collect a lot of data, analyze it, and extract the most important information before using tools like SAS, R programming, Python, etc., to derive insights that could be applied to boost the company’s productivity and efficiency.
Qualifications Required: A bachelor’s degree in an area related to computer science and, preferably a master’s degree in a similar area.
5. Cloud Engineer
Average Income Per Year: $120,740
Responsibilities: As a cloud engineer, you would be responsible for helping a corporation move its IT methods to a cloud format. This is to ensure that they retain valuable company information. Your job would be to ensure that a company’s cloud management system stays secure and updated so it regularly backs up information.
Qualifications Required: A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, or cyber security. You should also earn three to five years of work experience in IT to be eligible for a position.
6. Software Architect
Average Income Per Year: $133,130
Responsibilities: A software architect organizes and plans a software system in the broadest sense. These professionals specify coding conventions and pick the best tools for creating customized software. Additionally, they aid in converting concepts into technical tasks and properly distributing those tasks to the development team.
Qualifications Required: A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Programming, Software Engineering or Development, or Information Systems Management. Moreover, for those without a bachelor’s degree, significant experience in a related role, certification, or both can significantly enhance your qualifications.
7. Software Engineering Manager
Average Income Per Year: $134,363
Responsibilities: Being a software engineering manager, you would work in an IT department for a company or as part of an IT firm itself. You would be required to use your expertise in software engineering to direct a team of entry and mid-level software engineers in creating and maintaining software programs.
Qualifications Required: A Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, Information Technology, or Computer Programming. In addition to a bachelor’s degree, it may be beneficial to get a master’s degree in an area like business administration or software engineering.
8. Software Engineer
Average Income Per Year: $127,169
Responsibilities: Being a software engineer, your job includes using your knowledge of coding and applications to create software for companies and individuals. You would typically be required to develop software programs, mobile applications, and communication channels or content management systems (CMS) specific to a company and its needs.
Qualifications Required: A Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering or Development, Information Technology, or Computer Programming. You should also have great communication skills to work with clientele.
9. Mobile App Developer
Average Income Per Year: $123,764
Responsibilities: You would be in charge of creating mobile applications if you worked as a mobile app developer. You might need to develop an app for a video game or restructure company websites to fit a mobile format. You can work solely for businesses or select clients to hire your services.
Qualifications Required: A Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Programming, Information Systems Management, or a related area. You should also have previous work experience in the IT industry.
10. Site Reliability Engineer
Average Income Per Year: $133,379
Responsibilities: It would be your responsibility to coordinate with software engineers and development operation engineers to address any potential website errors or unclear messaging that might reduce the user’s effectiveness.
Qualifications Required: A bachelor’s degree in software development, information systems management, or computer programming. You should also have a few years of experience working as a software developer, system engineer, or a related area.
11. Devops Engineer
Average Income Per Year: $108,000
Responsibilities: You would be in charge of the interaction between the business, the software team, and IT when working as a DevOps Engineer. Your core responsibility would entail facilitating automation.
Qualifications Required: A bachelor’s degree in an area like information systems management, computer programming, or computer science. You may also benefit from having previously worked as a coder or network administrator.
12. Technical Program Manager
Average Income Per Year: $119,219
Responsibilities: Being a Technical Program Manager, you would oversee a team of software and hardware professionals within the IT department of a corporation.
Qualifications Required: A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Information Systems Management, Information Technology, or a similar field.
13. Python Software Engineer
Average Income Per Year: 110,931
Responsibilities:A Python Software Engineer codes, designs, and debugs development projects. They may also be responsible for spearheading analytics and data collection.
Qualifications Required: A Python Software Engineer may have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, information management systems, or a related field. They must also have ample knowledge of web frameworks like Django, HTML, CSS, and Python programming language.
14. Java Developer
Average Income Per Year: $98,821
Responsibilities: As the name suggests, a Java Developer’s role is to design, develop, and manage Java-based applications. Depending on the organization, the Java developer could work on one or several applications simultaneously.
Qualifications Required: A Java developer must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, but having experience is just as important. Some individuals are self-taught and have mastered Java, just like degree holders.
Conclusion
As the world gets more digitized and information technology takes over the globe, there is an increasing need for computer and IT specialists. Computer and software engineering are a couple of fields where you can enter the workforce and start earning well immediately after completing your bachelor’s course. You would still need to constantly learn, as the industry is evolving at a fast pace.
In conclusion, we discussed the average salaries of the highest-paying software engineer jobs in the United States. We have also listed the qualifications and skills required for you to master these software engineering-related jobs. See what interests you and you can pursue that. Even if something doesn’t stand out to you immediately, you can start learning a few of the skills required and see where that leads you.
If you have any questions or need further guidance, contact us or surf our website.
