How much do Software Engineers make now and what will they make later?

Posted by Jim Stroud

December 26, 2007

From the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website, a few stats on what Software Engineers made in ‘06 and projections on what they will (most likely) make in the near future.

Quote:

In May 2006, median annual earnings of wage-and-salary computer applications software engineers were $79,780. The middle 50 percent earned between $62,830 and $98,470. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $49,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,770. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer applications software engineers in May 2006 were as follows:

*Software publishers - $84,560
*Computer systems design and related services - 78,850
*Management, scientific, and technical consulting services - 78,850
*Management of companies and enterprises - 78,580
*Insurance carriers - 74,230

In May 2006, median annual earnings of wage-and-salary computer systems software engineers were $85,370. The middle 50 percent earned between $67,620 and $105,330. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $53,580, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $125,750. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer systems software engineers in May 2006 are as follows:

*Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences - $97,220
*Scientific research and development services - 97,180
*Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing - 93,240
*Software publishers - 87,450
*Computer systems design and related services - 84,660
*Data processing, hosting, and related services - 78,270

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering averaged $56,201 in 2007. Starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science averaged $53,396.

According to Robert Half Technology, starting salaries for software engineers in software development ranged from $66,500 to $99,750 in 2007. For network engineers, starting salaries ranged from $65,750 to $90,250.

Here is a list of projected data for your consideration as well. Each link is to a zipped up file of excel sheet data.

* What will “Computer software engineers” (most likely) make in 2016?
* What will “Computer software engineers skilled in applications” (most likely) make in 2016?
* What will “Computer software engineers skilled in systems software” (most likely) make in 2016?

SOURCE: US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics