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Computer Software Engineer Salary
Computer software engineering is the program-oriented counterpart to computer hardware engineering. Where hardware deals with the physical elements and components of a computer system and peripheral equipment, software deals with the programs run on those physical systems and components. Software instructs the computer to operate in predetermined ways and to perform tasks in specific orders and methods. Within the specialty, there are to sub-specialties that have slightly different focuses, and computer software engineer salary figures do differ.
Both sub-specialties involve designing, developing and modifying computer software, but applications software engineering applies to general computer functions or applications and specialized utility programs as well as employer-specific customization of software.
Systems software engineering is more broadly engaged. It is often involved in systems-operating software, network software for industry-wide distribution, and compilation.
Software engineering differs from software programming in that engineering involves more mathematics, analysis and design but includes programming. Software programming is simply writing the computer code that creates the commands.
Because there is an operational difference between the two, computer software engineer salary ranges are noted separately below whenever possible.
Training and Education
Disregarding your choice between applications or systems software, your overall salary expectations are grossly influenced by the level of training and education you receive and apply to your future position. Many occupational specialties within the field require at least an online masters degree in a related field, and if you continue your distance education path, both your expertise and compensation increase with an offline or online PhD.
You start your education path, however, with an accredited bachelor’s degree through either a campus-based or online university. The curricula are identical, and both methods are valid and valuable. You may find employment with just the four-year degree as a technician, but fuller opportunity and greater challenge arise from the higher, post-graduate degrees. Get as much education as you can.
Salary Comparisons
First, to fully understand the computer software engineer salary numbers noted, the word “median” is defined as “just the middle 50 percent’s average.” The solo word “average” can be defined as it normally is: It is the average of all reported wages, not just the middle. When noted together as “average median,” the phrase notes the averages between the two specialties’ median wages.
For example, the median applications software engineer salary is approximately $90,170 annually. The median systems software engineer salary is $96,620 per year. Therefore, the average median annual salary for the occupation as a whole is approximately $93,395, the mid-point between the two separate median wages.
Below are the industries that pay the highest average or mean wages and the actual computer software engineer salary figures for each by specialty. There are differences per industry lists, and the salary differs vastly as well.
For applications specialists, the top-paying industries and wages are (1) Metal and Mineral (except Petroleum) Merchant Wholesalers at $119,760; (2) Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing at $107,830; (3) Other Personal Services at $102,550; (4) Other Information Services at $102,190; and (5) Other Financial Activity Services at $97,750.
For systems software engineers, the highest-paying industries and median wages are (1) Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing at $112,020; (2) Other Information Services at $110,380; (3) Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers at $108,290; (4) Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media at $106,860; and (5) Semiconductor and Other Electrical Component Manufacturing at $106,540.
As you can see, computer software engineering salary averages differ per industry and by sub-specialty, but all are very respectable ranges.
