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Yes, computer software is a good career path. The demand in this field is only going to grow, as well as the number of options and diversity in work. With growth and demand, there is also the opportunity to make a lot of money. For many people, having job security, the possibility to grow in their career, and being well-compensated is exactly what they want for their professional life.
In addition, the ability to tailor your professional experience within computer software to fit your personality and interests makes it even more appealing. From number crunchers to creative dreamers, everyone can fit into this field and customize their work experience so that they feel fulfilled (their job matters to them and the world around them.)
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The 5 Best-Paying Jobs in Computer Software
Computer software can be a very lucrative career, and it is sure to keep growing in importance, which means job security and potentially high paychecks.
While you can strike out on your own and create the next huge app, what’s more likely is that you’ll earn high pay by working your way up the corporate ladder into a management, engineer, or architect role. The following are some of the best paying jobs in computer software:
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Average Annual Salary: $153,000
Software engineering managers need to be experts in their software. They know the ins and outs and help the team solve problems, create new scenarios, develop new software, and manage the big picture.
This job requires a lot of education and experience. You’ll also need to work well with others and listen intently. They are not only responsible for new products and fixes for old ones, but they are the people who determine if there is quality and value in what’s created by the development team.
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Average Annual Salary: $146,000
While the software development team is coming up with new programs and fixes for existing software, this manager is standing by, making sure what’s happening is effective, efficient, and logical. This position is similar to the software engineering manager but with less responsibility. The development manager typically falls beneath the engineering manager.
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Average Annual Salary: $108,000
The entire field of data is exploding; in fact, it’s moving so quickly that many companies don’t know what to do with all of the data they gather – not yet anyway. But that doesn’t mean that the data isn’t valuable. The data warehouse architect is responsible for creating solutions for storing data, gathering it when necessary, organizing it, and sometimes using it.
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Average Annual Salary: $117,000
Those who are very efficient and can streamline anything might really enjoy being an infrastructure architect. Being on top of the system administration is important as the architect needs to see how the process is being run and where it can be made more efficient and expanded, and what areas need to be phased out.
Usually, they will be monitoring and adjusting the entire digital experience of a company to make sure the overall system is efficient and meets expectations.
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Average Annual Salary: $103,000
This job is a broad-based one that requires a lot of knowledge in development and operations. Not only is the skillset very broad-based, but the duties can also differ within a company and from company to company.
In general, this position takes care of the coding portion of developing infrastructure and the administration of that system. Rolling both hardware and software responsibilities into this position is not uncommon, which is why there is usually a high salary involved.
10 Entry-Level Jobs in Computer Software
Like many fields, getting your foot in the door and making connections is an important part of a successful computer software career. Sometimes, the best way to start that ball rolling is through an entry-level position.
Most jobs, even the entry-level ones, in the computer software will require a degree in computer science or a similar field. There are a handful of entry-level jobs that you can get without a degree and start meeting people and getting real-world experience.
The following are some computer software entry-level jobs:
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Average Annual Salary: $94,000
Software developers are the brains behind software programs, whether it’s a game or a program that helps you do your job better. This is an entry-level position, but there’s a lot of room to grow once you start this job. Most entry-level developers are working in teams and learning the ropes as they do. The heavy lifting (mentally) will be done by senior developers and management.
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Average Annual Salary: $80,000
Web developers create designs and implement functions on websites. They’re the ones who can turn someone’s vision into a functioning website. Some of them also have a great idea for aesthetics and roll in their web design skills to offer a full web experience.
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Average Annual Salary: $73,000
A junior database administrator is responsible for organizing databases and maintaining their integrity. Working under a senior database administrator, this professional will do data migration and backups, work on future design options, and monitor performance.
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Average Annual Salary: $73,000
This is a very broad term, and it can be used to cover a number of more specific titles. Some businesses cannot afford to hire many people, so one person will do a large variety of tasks and have this generic term as their title. Basically, computer programmers write, modify, and test computer code to make sure everything is functioning properly.
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Help Desk Technician
Average Annual Salary: N/A
A help desk technician can work on the phone or in-person to assist when there’s an issue with a computer’s hardware or software or if the customer simply doesn’t know what’s happening.
This is a good starting job for a lot of people interested in computer software because it provides the opportunity to see how things work and to learn to listen to what the end-user really wants and what’s difficult for them to understand.
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IT Technician
Average Annual Salary: N/A
An information technology technician needs to have some of those help desk skills so they can assist if there’s a problem with software and hardware. They’re also tasked with installing, maintaining, and sometimes removing software and hardware. Most IT Technicians work within a company to keep the entire computer infrastructure working.
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Average Annual Salary: $75,000
A programmer analyst generally knows how to write computer programs to complete tasks, but they’ll spend more time reviewing the work of others to make sure it’s functioning as it should.
For many, this job can be thought of as a testing job, where the professional is testing programs to see if they’re working. They might also be tasked with troubleshooting issues, or they may have to report the issues to another team, who will then troubleshoot.
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Average Annual Salary: $96,000
Where would the world be without apps – and those who develop them. This is an entry-level position, but it also has a lot of room for advancement and growth. At the entry-level, you’ll be responsible for one small part of the coding, not the entire app or even entire portions of it. This is why there’s so much growth potential.
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Average Annual Salary: $74,000
A digital designer creates digital content that can range from email templates to interactive displays and covers a wide breadth of things in-between. This is typically a support role, and someone will come up with an idea and ask the digital designer to return with the digital asset. For entry-level workers, this position can rest heavily in the graphic design realm.
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Average Annual Salary: $111,000
How does a hardware position fit into the software world? Hardware development and maintenance are just as important in computing as software is. And there are many people who work as hardware engineers to design and develop software too. Learning both sides of this industry can help create a broader base of understanding for a more successful end result.
Why Choose a Career in Computer Software
There are many different reasons to set your sights on a career in computer software. If you have an interest in what makes computers work and how to manipulate them to come up with agile and efficient designs, then this might be the career for you. These are just a few of the great reasons that a career in computer software is a good idea.
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There’s huge potential for job growth and security. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the demand for software developers is expected to grow 22% from 2020 to 2030. Most professions aren’t seeing that sort of growth, and that’s indicative of what’s happening throughout the field of computer science.
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Job diversity allows you to make the most of your preferences. This industry needs people who can work alone and people who are good on teams. It needs people who want to lead others and who want to do what they’re told. There are a lot of different avenues you can take to find a job that fits your personality.
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Financial rewards can be huge. The pay for this field, even entry-level jobs, is significant and fairly recession-proof, so you’ll always have a good salary.
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There is an opportunity to be creative. If you thrive on creativity, then this field offers many different paths for you that will scratch that itch. Having a mind that doesn’t work like others is what propels technology into the next realm.
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You get to learn from others. If you just love challenging yourself to learn and grow, this field is an exceptional way to do that. You’ll meet and work with many people who inspire you to see things in different ways and come up with fresh approaches to complex problems.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Computer Software
Few people tap into the computer software field without a bachelor’s degree. There are those geniuses who are coding in elementary school and creating apps in high school, but the rest of the population can benefit from more education and learning about all aspects of technology before starting a career. Some good educational paths you can take include:
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Bachelor’s Degree. A bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, mathematics, or a similar field is a good start. This gives you a broad educational base and starts to hone in on the area that most interests you in computer software.
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Associates Degree. Whether you’re thinking about short-cutting on the bachelor’s degree or adding to a bachelor’s degree, there are some associate degrees that can help in this field. An associate’s degree in computer technology, IT support, network administration, and web development are just a few that can springboard your career.
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On-the-Job Training. Expect to constantly be learning on the job when you enter the technology field. You might be learning at your place of business or be sent out to pick up additional certificates and degrees through the course of your career. This is a professional tract that will always be changing, which means that learning will always be a part of it.
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Job Specific Certifications. The vast amount of options in a computer software career means that there are a lot of different specializations. If you find one area that appeals to you, it’s a good idea to look into the certifications you can earn to make yourself a more appealing candidate and a stronger professional.
What Do People Working In Computer Software Do?
If you want to get into a field that’s still pretty fresh, sure to grow, and there is unlimited potential for income – then computer software is a great career option. This is an industry that has exploded and is still growing exponentially.
Computer software is needed in virtually every industry, business, and field. This not only ensures a strong future but also means there are opportunities to specialize in the realm that’s most interesting to you. It gives you a base to grow into a profession that is always interesting and satisfying. Not to mention how financially rewarding it can be.
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Author
Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.
