Application Software Engineer Schools, Salaries, and Job Data
Application Software Engineers Job Overview
Application software is operated through computers. They serve the purpose of supporting or improving a computer user’s work. Examples of software applications are word processors, spreadsheets, media players and database applications. Application software engineers develop, create and modify application software. The also design or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. Application software engineers create software programs using codes written in various languages, including Java, C, C++, Fortran and COBOL. They incorporate new technologies in a growing range of applications. They analyze users’ needs and design applications catering to those requirements.
Application Software Engineers Schools and Degrees
To become an application software engineer, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science/IT with at least 5 years of experience in the related industry is required. Experience in telecommunication industry is an added advantage. There are several schools and colleges in the US offering courses in application software engineering. Some of the colleges are American InterContinental University, American Sentinel University, Baker College Online, Bradford School, Brown College and Colorado Technical University, among others.
Job Requirements
Application software engineers should participate in the software development process and develop a good understanding of typical customer requirements and problems. Application software engineers need to organize, consolidate, write, articulate and present proposals in the entire cycle of developing a program. One should also have a clear understanding of Java API programming and be able to gather customer requirements to translate to System Design document. Working experience in formulating high quality IT solutions is always a plus as well.
Nature of Work
Application software engineers work in clean, comfortable offices or in labs with computer equipment. Those who work for vendors and consulting firms might have to travel frequently to meet customers. Mostly, they work at least 40 hours a week but many of them work for more than 50 hours a week. They are also required to work for long hours on evenings and weekends to meet deadlines or to solve unexpected technical problems. Like others working long hours at a computer, application software engineers are vulnerable to ailments such as eyestrain, back pain and hand and wrist problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Application Software Engineers Jobs and Outlook
According to research in 2006, application software engineers held about 507,000 jobs in the US. Employment is the highest in the following industries:
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
Industry Employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Insurance Carriers
Management of Companies and Enterprises
Software Publishers
The mean hourly wage for application software engineers in the US is about $41.18, while the mean annual wages are around $85,660.
Job Numbers and Growth
Application software engineers in the US number about 507,000. Workers generally expect a very low unemployment rate. There were about 3% of employees without jobs in 2008.
Area Job Conditions
Where are jobs most numerous? Olympia (Washington), San Jose (California), and Lowell (Massachusetts). Least common? El Paso (Texas), Elkhart (Indiana), and Shreveport (Louisiana).
Salaries vary across the country, from highest in San Jose (California), Salinas (California), and Lowell (Massachusetts) to lowest in Macon (Georgia), Redding (California), and Jonesboro (Arkansas).
Training and Education
Obtaining a bachelor's degree will help job seekers. Application software engineers with four or more years of college are 85% of the total. An estimated 13% of workers attended college at some level but did not pursue a 4-year degree. High school was enough education for 2% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.
Part-Time Work and Self-Employment
Whether by choice or necessity, 3% of application software engineers work part-time. About 2% of workers do not work for a company or organization.
Application Software Engineers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.