Computer software engineers, systems software
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software: Research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications. Set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements. Apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis.
Computer software engineers held about 800,000 jobs in 2004. Approximately 460,000 were computer applications software engineers, and around 340,000 were computer systems software engineers. Although they are employed in most industries, the largest concentration of computer software engineers—almost 30 percent—are in computer systems design and related services. Many computer software engineers also work for establishments in other industries, such as software publishers, government agencies, manufacturers of computers and related electronic equipment, and management of companies and enterprises.
Employers of computer software engineers range from startup companies to established industry leaders. The proliferation of Internet, e-mail, and other communications systems is expanding electronics to engineering firms that are traditionally associated with unrelated disciplines. Engineering firms specializing in building bridges and powerplants, for example, hire computer software engineers to design and develop new geographic data systems and automated drafting systems. Communications firms need computer software engineers to tap into growth in the personal communications market. Major communications companies have many job openings for both computer software applications engineers and computer systems engineers.
An increasing number of computer software engineers are employed on a temporary or contract basis, with many being self-employed, working independently as consultants. Some consultants work for firms that specialize in developing and maintaining client companies’ Web sites and intranets. About 23,000 computer software engineers were self-employed in 2004.
Median annual earnings of computer applications software engineers who worked full time in May 2004 were about $74,980. The middle 50 percent earned between $59,130and $92,130. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,520, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $113,830. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer applications software engineers in May 2004 were as follows:
| Software publishers | $79,930 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 78,460 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 76,910 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 70,520 |
| Insurance carriers | 68,440 |
Median annual earnings of computer systems software engineers who worked full time in May 2004 were about $79,740. The middle 50 percent earned between $63,150 and $98,220. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,420, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $118,350. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer systems software engineers in May 2004 are as follows:
| Scientific research and development services | $91,390 |
| Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing | 87,800 |
| Software publishers | 83,670 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 79,950 |
| Wired telecommunications carriers | 74,370 |
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering averaged $52,464 in 2005; offers for those with a master’s degree averaged $60,354. Starting salary offers for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science averaged $50,820.
According to Robert Half International, starting salaries for software engineers in software development ranged from $63,250 to $92,750 in 2005. For network engineers, starting salaries in 2005 ranged from $61,250 to $88,250.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer Software Engineers)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Computer software engineers, systems software | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Mining employment: n.a. mean earnings: $82,260 (EC) (def) (IG) | $54,460 | $66,620 | $82,750 | $99,160 | $112,990 |
| Support Activities for Mining employment: n.a. mean earnings: $82,290 | $54,440 | $66,580 | $82,780 | $99,240 | $113,060 |
| Utilities employment: 800 mean earnings: $79,200 (EC) (def) (IG) | $51,570 | $62,610 | $78,890 | $94,670 | $112,520 |
| Utilities employment: 800 mean earnings: $79,200 | $51,570 | $62,610 | $78,890 | $94,670 | $112,520 |
| Construction employment: 230 mean earnings: $68,690 (EC) (def) (IG) | $44,580 | $52,880 | $65,960 | $84,420 | $100,710 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 40 mean earnings: $76,420 | $47,790 | $62,400 | $75,050 | $91,940 | $109,880 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 190 mean earnings: $67,430 | $44,620 | $52,270 | $64,070 | $82,680 | $98,320 |
| Manufacturing employment: 55,750 mean earnings: $87,030 (EC) (def) (IG) | $55,890 | $68,090 | $85,140 | $105,500 | $123,180 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing employment: 40 mean earnings: $61,360 | $48,080 | $51,350 | $56,790 | $70,230 | $86,730 |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 50 mean earnings: $73,790 | $39,270 | $49,940 | $70,860 | $90,950 | $121,550 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 50 mean earnings: $71,400 | $45,150 | $60,980 | $72,920 | $85,770 | $94,510 |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 710 mean earnings: $85,160 | $56,150 | $68,340 | $84,280 | $102,040 | $116,990 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 50 mean earnings: $56,780 | $37,440 | $41,450 | $51,380 | $73,270 | $87,360 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 290 mean earnings: $71,200 | $46,820 | $58,500 | $70,260 | $84,810 | $95,010 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 530 mean earnings: $69,940 | $48,580 | $57,790 | $69,780 | $84,120 | $94,120 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 2,200 mean earnings: $76,710 | $49,410 | $61,090 | $73,880 | $92,800 | $110,200 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 43,960 mean earnings: $88,800 | $57,500 | $69,660 | $86,830 | $107,570 | $126,680 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 300 mean earnings: $75,800 | $48,920 | $58,540 | $71,770 | $90,910 | $109,670 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 6,310 mean earnings: $83,880 | $55,350 | $66,650 | $82,680 | $100,230 | $115,620 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 930 mean earnings: $76,530 | $49,290 | $58,410 | $74,560 | $92,280 | $111,710 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 15,900 mean earnings: $85,770 (EC) (def) (IG) | $52,890 | $66,400 | $84,840 | $105,460 | $122,270 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 13,650 mean earnings: $85,650 | $52,540 | $66,180 | $84,960 | $105,660 | $122,560 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 200 mean earnings: $79,590 | $52,510 | $62,780 | $76,620 | $96,050 | $110,950 |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 2,050 mean earnings: $87,120 | $57,480 | $67,900 | $84,770 | $105,050 | $122,010 |
| Retail Trade employment: 4,020 mean earnings: $74,200 (EC) (def) (IG) | $41,400 | $54,690 | $70,400 | $90,130 | $112,780 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 3,140 mean earnings: $74,560 | $41,130 | $53,890 | $70,090 | $90,720 | $114,380 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 40 mean earnings: $76,840 | $56,080 | $65,270 | $77,710 | $89,900 | $101,570 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 730 mean earnings: $74,510 | $44,020 | $59,360 | $72,730 | $89,780 | $108,840 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 1,300 mean earnings: $77,840 (EC) (def) (IG) | $52,680 | $64,540 | $78,660 | $90,340 | $105,830 |
| Rail Transportation employment: 130 mean earnings: $88,440 | $64,070 | $76,460 | $86,500 | $100,240 | $113,690 |
| Truck Transportation employment: 60 mean earnings: $81,260 | $58,120 | $73,190 | $83,810 | $92,530 | $105,020 |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 120 mean earnings: $75,740 | $49,480 | $58,960 | $72,950 | $89,150 | $106,370 |
| Couriers and Messengers employment: 120 mean earnings: $73,490 | $50,570 | $59,640 | $73,320 | $87,600 | $101,270 |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 240 mean earnings: $73,160 | $48,500 | $56,490 | $70,850 | $88,200 | $105,810 |
| Information employment: 64,570 mean earnings: $82,210 (EC) (def) (IG) | $52,640 | $64,980 | $80,760 | $96,810 | $115,940 |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 22,000 mean earnings: $87,170 | $58,130 | $69,440 | $84,820 | $103,430 | $121,850 |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: n.a. mean earnings: $81,890 | $57,310 | $67,310 | $80,060 | $93,700 | $113,930 |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 150 mean earnings: $79,210 | $51,250 | $62,950 | $79,220 | $95,270 | $112,390 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting employment: 690 mean earnings: $81,940 | $47,690 | $62,750 | $80,990 | $98,710 | $116,410 |
| Telecommunications employment: 21,340 mean earnings: $80,200 | $52,770 | $64,590 | $79,150 | $93,880 | $112,890 |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 19,940 mean earnings: $78,820 | $49,870 | $60,940 | $77,530 | $94,110 | $113,190 |
| Other Information Services employment: 310 mean earnings: $89,610 | $54,730 | $68,890 | $85,460 | $108,090 | $134,260 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 17,760 mean earnings: $81,430 (EC) (def) (IG) | $51,480 | $64,620 | $80,170 | $96,410 | $114,770 |
| Monetary Authorities - Central Bank employment: 70 mean earnings: $81,240 | $53,340 | $64,280 | $80,000 | $97,100 | $115,820 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 9,050 mean earnings: $81,310 | $51,650 | $64,500 | $80,190 | $97,100 | $114,770 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 4,440 mean earnings: $86,000 | $52,190 | $67,090 | $84,360 | $103,500 | $120,200 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 3,990 mean earnings: $76,600 | $50,670 | $63,190 | $75,910 | $89,670 | $106,420 |
| Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles employment: 210 mean earnings: $82,140 | $43,840 | $63,050 | $84,000 | $103,140 | $115,180 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 340 mean earnings: $77,470 (EC) (def) (IG) | $45,130 | $61,030 | $77,240 | $94,470 | $111,380 |
| Real Estate employment: 280 mean earnings: $75,830 | $44,360 | $59,360 | $75,640 | $91,540 | $110,420 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 129,490 mean earnings: $86,490 (EC) (def) (IG) | $51,810 | $65,570 | $83,760 | $105,240 | $126,260 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 129,490 mean earnings: $86,490 | $51,810 | $65,570 | $83,760 | $105,240 | $126,260 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 9,860 mean earnings: $83,120 (EC) (def) (IG) | $52,090 | $64,340 | $80,540 | $96,660 | $116,220 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 9,860 mean earnings: $83,120 | $52,090 | $64,340 | $80,540 | $96,660 | $116,220 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 12,120 mean earnings: $77,360 (EC) (def) (IG) | $47,540 | $58,730 | $75,170 | $91,600 | $112,240 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 12,120 mean earnings: $77,360 | $47,540 | $58,730 | $75,170 | $91,610 | $112,240 |
| Educational Services employment: 2,190 mean earnings: $62,810 (EC) (def) (IG) | $37,610 | $47,070 | $60,270 | $76,690 | $93,000 |
| Educational Services employment: 2,190 mean earnings: $62,810 | $37,610 | $47,070 | $60,270 | $76,690 | $93,000 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 1,690 mean earnings: $70,950 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,670 | $56,610 | $70,230 | $85,800 | $102,500 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 310 mean earnings: $72,890 | $44,860 | $55,870 | $71,810 | $87,190 | $107,220 |
| Hospitals employment: 1,210 mean earnings: $69,840 | $41,380 | $55,690 | $69,490 | $84,690 | $99,440 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: n.a. mean earnings: $75,850 | $50,840 | $61,250 | $75,110 | $93,030 | $106,390 |
| Social Assistance employment: 50 mean earnings: $73,890 | $49,590 | $60,440 | $69,720 | $87,040 | $110,160 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: n.a. mean earnings: $67,550 (EC) (def) (IG) | $59,550 | $62,410 | $67,190 | $71,970 | $76,540 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 960 mean earnings: $78,940 (EC) (def) (IG) | $45,090 | $61,180 | $79,760 | $94,550 | $111,320 |
| Repair and Maintenance employment: 740 mean earnings: $79,220 | $43,300 | $60,130 | $80,720 | $95,790 | $112,130 |
| Personal and Laundry Services employment: 40 mean earnings: $89,300 | $49,090 | $73,490 | $87,700 | $104,200 | $117,260 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 180 mean earnings: $75,370 | $51,980 | $62,680 | $74,850 | $87,060 | $101,980 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 2,620 mean earnings: $70,030 (def) (IG) | $48,230 | $59,170 | $71,900 | $83,070 | $90,280 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 2,620 mean earnings: $70,030 | $48,230 | $59,170 | $71,900 | $83,070 | $90,280 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.