Explore opportunities and tips for finding and landing an entry-level software engineer job.
Entry-level roles can be found in any industry. They are ideal opportunities for anyone who is new to a career field because they require the least education, training, or professional experience to perform. Typically, these types of roles will be described in job postings with keywords such as entry-level, junior, or associate. In the following article, you can learn more about software engineer jobs at the entry level and how you can obtain one.
Entry-level software engineers often work under the direction of more senior developers. As a novice software engineer, you're likely to spend your days performing basic troubleshooting, testing, and debugging tasks. You may also contribute to new features by writing code or enhance old features by updating existing code.
Typically, entry-level software engineer jobs require one or more of the following qualifications:
Familiarity with programming languages such as Java, Swift, or C#
Experience working in a collaborative environment
A computer science degree or equivalent experience in a related field of study
Seventy-three percent of software engineers in the United States have a bachelor's degree, 20 percent have a master's, and four percent have an associate degree [1]. If you haven’t yet gained the skills mentioned above, don’t worry. The following article covers several ways for future software engineers to prepare for an entry-level role.
Read more: 5 Tech Entry-Level Jobs: No Experience or Commute Required
Although salaries vary based on expertise levels, many entry-level software engineer jobs pay above-average wages. The median annual salary for all occupations is $46,310, per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [2]. The average salary for entry-level software engineers is $87,508, according to Glassdoor [3]. Entry-level software engineers also report an average additional pay of $17,707 per year. These figures bring the estimated yearly compensation for entry-level software engineers to $105,215.
Software engineers belong to the occupational field of computer and information technology. Careers in this industry are expected to grow between 2022 and 2032, with an average 377,500 openings projected annually [2]. For established professionals and recent graduates, these circumstances provide many opportunities to begin a career in software engineering.
The field of computer science and information technology involves many different disciplines. It’s important to narrow the scope of your search to avoid encountering jobs you’re not yet qualified for. Keep in mind that all software engineers begin their careers in entry-level positions. Instead of searching Google for something like “entry-level software engineer jobs near me,” consider tailoring your search with the tips below.
Choose one (or a few) specializations that pique your interest. If you haven’t yet decided on a specialization, browsing specific career paths can still be helpful. Your search will return more precise results, enabling you to visualize the expectations for specific roles. Examples of software engineering specializations you can pursue include:
Web development. Web developers build, test, and maintain web applications and sites. If you’re interested in becoming a web developer, consider taking an online course like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers.
Game developer. If you're interested in video games, visual design, and artificial intelligence (AI), game development could be a suitable career path for you.
Internet of Things (IoT) engineering. IoT engineers create and maintain IoT hardware, software, platforms, and systems.
Blockchain development. A blockchain developer is a software developer who focuses on developing blockchain-based technologies.
Mobile application development. This subcategory of software engineering and development has grown rapidly over the last few years. You may choose to become an iOS developer (someone who creates applications for Apple devices or MacOS software), or an Android developer.
Include remote and in-person positions. Sixty-six percent of software engineers work fully remotely and 80 percent want to work remotely, according to Terminal’s State of Engineering Report 2022.
Browse job postings even if you’re not ready to apply. You can gain valuable insight from browsing job postings. Not only can you discover opportunities that value your current skill set, but you can also learn about in-demand expertise.
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When you’re ready to begin your search, you’ll find many different job listing platforms to choose from. A few of the most popular choices among job seekers are Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Additionally, ZipRecruiter and Hired.com have some of the highest ratings on Trustpilot, an online review community that collects and publishes genuine consumer feedback. Consider using the software engineering-focused job boards below for a narrower search scope.
Dice. Dice is a career website mainly serving information technology (IT) and engineering professionals.
Gun.io. Gun.io is a software development platform that helps unite companies and freelance engineers.
The Meta Career Programs Job Board is an excellent resource for software engineering job seekers. Over 200 employers use this job board run by a tech industry leader to source qualified employees. When you complete a course from the Meta Degrees and Certificates catalog, you can gain access to the Meta Career Programs Job Board while also building your software engineering skill set. Here are a few specific courses that you can use to increase your expertise as an entry-level software engineer:
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Read more: Front End vs. Back End: Learning Skills and Tools
Google’s job board is another reputable resource for entry-level software engineer jobs. Candidates who earn Google Career Certificates gain direct access to open positions listed by over 150 Google-vetted employers in the US. Relevant career certificates for beginners in software engineering include:
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Launch your career as a project manager. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career in project management in as little as 4 months. No prior experience required to get started.
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Skills you'll build:
Risk Management, Budgeting, Stakeholder Management, Planning, Communication, Organizational Structure of a Project, Approaches to project management, Project Organization, Project Management Principles, Project Processes, Project Domains, Project Monitoring, Project Execution, Project Management, Tailor Approach, Exam Preparation, Exam Strategies, PMP Exam Techniques, Earned Value Management, Advanced Excel, Analytical Thinking, Problem-solving, Problem-Solving, ROI Assessment, PMP Formulas, Communication Planning, Team Management, Risk Identification, Problem Solving, PMP Principles, Project Methodologies, Principle-based Approaches, Agile Principles, Agile Execution, Agile Methodologies, Agile Implementation, Strategic Alignment, Goal Orientation, Cross-cultural Analysis, Foster Collaboration, Leadership, Team Development
Read more: What Does a UX Designer Do?
To determine the top companies, we examined Glassdoor’s list of the top companies hiring for software engineer jobs. We further curated it to adequately represent several industries and eliminate companies with low employee ratings. Employee ratings are measured on a scale of one to five stars. They are calculated based on six categories: culture and values, diversity and inclusion, work/life balance, senior management, compensation and benefits, and career opportunities.
Company | Industry | Employee Rating | Controls Engineer Average US Salary |
---|---|---|---|
Internet & Web Services | 4.7 | $181K-$286K per year [4] | |
Microsoft | Computer Hardware Development | 4.5 | $151K-$222K per year [5] |
Cisco Systems | Enterprise Software & Network Solutions | 4.2 | $152K-$232K per year [6] |
Intel Corporation | Computer Hardware Development | 4.2 | $136K-$207K per year [7] |
Apple | Computer Hardware Development | 4.5 | $159K-$251K per year [8] |
There are many pathways to a career in software engineering. If you’re searching for entry-level software engineering jobs, you may be a recent graduate or someone who does not have prior professional experience in the field.
In lieu of—or in addition to—these credentials, you can demonstrate your abilities in several ways. For example, you can earn Professional Certificates like the ones mentioned above from Google and Meta. Read on for more opportunities to increase your competitiveness as a candidate.
The following checklist contains core skills for software engineers. Consider using it to identify areas of focus for your study.
Technical proficiency
Problem-solving skills
Familiarity with programming languages, frameworks, and code repositories
Written and verbal communication skills
Analytical capabilities
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
Read more: 6 Tips for Sharpening Software Developer Skills
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It’s essential to establish yourself as a strong candidate for any role. As a software engineer, you have an opportunity to showcase your abilities through a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of your best work demonstrating your skills to potential employers. If you don’t yet have independent work for your portfolio, consider enrolling in a Guided Project like Python 101: Develop Your First Python Program.
Read more: 10 Ways to Enhance Your Resume
Another way to prepare for an entry-level software engineer job is to follow relevant YouTube channels, social media pages, and blogs. For example, if you’re learning how to become a React developer, you can join the React Native Facebook Group. Becoming an active member of a relevant community can help you stay current with the latest technologies and trends. Software engineers can also utilize collaborative platforms like GitHub and Stack Overflow.
Start preparing for your first entry-level software engineer job and earn a certificate online from an industry leader. Consider IBM’s DevOps and Software Engineering, Meta's Back End Developer, or Google's UX Design Professional Certificates.
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Get job-ready in just 3 months… from scratch. Build the in-demand project management skills and hands-on experience employers are looking for. Zero prior experience required.
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44,852 already enrolled
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Skills you'll build:
Project Management, Leadership, Business Analysis, agile, PMI-CAPM, Kanban, Zenhub, Scrum Methodology, Agile Software Development, Sprint Planning, Scrum Master, Career Development, Project Planning, Agile PM, Project initiation, Communication, Stakeholder Management, Question Answering, job interviews, project manager, Resume, Job Search Strategies, Risk Management, Systems Development Life Cycle, Information sharing, Agile Management, Scrum (Software Development)
professional certificate
Learn to be a Scrum Master. This Specialization is designed to help Scrum beginners learn the foundational knowledge to become proficient with Agile Scrum
4.7
(2,803 ratings)
71,861 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
professional certificate
Launch your career as a project manager. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career in project management in as little as 4 months. No prior experience required to get started.
4.7
(289 ratings)
29,080 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 4 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Risk Management, Budgeting, Stakeholder Management, Planning, Communication, Organizational Structure of a Project, Approaches to project management, Project Organization, Project Management Principles, Project Processes, Project Domains, Project Monitoring, Project Execution, Project Management, Tailor Approach, Exam Preparation, Exam Strategies, PMP Exam Techniques, Earned Value Management, Advanced Excel, Analytical Thinking, Problem-solving, Problem-Solving, ROI Assessment, PMP Formulas, Communication Planning, Team Management, Risk Identification, Problem Solving, PMP Principles, Project Methodologies, Principle-based Approaches, Agile Principles, Agile Execution, Agile Methodologies, Agile Implementation, Strategic Alignment, Goal Orientation, Cross-cultural Analysis, Foster Collaboration, Leadership, Team Development
Zippia. "Software Engineer Education Requirements, https://www.zippia.com/software-engineer-jobs/education/?src=chatbot_popout_displayed." Accessed August 30, 2023.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer and Information Technology Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm." Accessed October 11, 2023.
Glassdoor. "How much does a software engineer make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/software-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm." Accessed August 30, 2023.
Glassdoor. “Google Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Google-Salaries-E9079.htm.” Accessed August 30, 2023.
Glassdoor. “Microsoft Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Microsoft-Salaries-E1651.htm.” Accessed August 30, 2023.
Glassdoor. “Cisco Systems Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Cisco-Systems-Salaries-E1425.htm.” Accessed August 30, 2023.
Glassdoor. “Intel Corporation Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Intel-Corporation-Salaries-E1519.htm.” Accessed August 30, 2023.
Glassdoor. “Apple Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Apple-Salaries-E1138.htm.” Accessed August 30, 2023.
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