TECHNOLOGY

Software Engineer

$85,000 – $160,000/yr

Software engineers design, build, and maintain the applications and systems we use every day — from mobile apps to cloud infrastructure.

JOB OUTLOOK

Strong — demand expected to grow 25% by 2032

Day in the Life

A typical day involves writing and reviewing code, collaborating with product teams, debugging issues, and planning new features. Remote and hybrid work is common.

How to Become a Software Engineer

1Take AP Computer Science or a coding bootcamp in high school
2Pursue a CS degree, software engineering degree, or self-teach via online platforms
3Build a portfolio of projects on GitHub
4Apply for internships and entry-level roles

Useful High School Subjects

Computing / ITMathPhysicsAI / Machine Learning

Is Software Engineer right for you?

Take our free 8-minute quiz to find out if this career matches your strengths, interests, and goals.

Take the free quiz →