Application Software Engineer Training and Jobs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Part-Time 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.
Career Videos
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.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $72,000 | 720 | -67% |
| Decatur | $57,000 | 40 | -80% |
| Florence | $44,000 | 40 | -79% |
| Huntsville | $87,000 | 1,290 | +52% |
| Mobile | $64,000 | 270 | -64% |
| Montgomery | $80,000 | 200 | -71% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $81,000 | 190 | -71% |
| Fairbanks | $48,000 | 40 | -65% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $83,000 | 70 | -66% |
| Phoenix | $74,000 | 6,150 | -22% |
| Prescott | $83,000 | 40 | -83% |
| Tucson | $86,000 | 1,160 | -25% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $68,000 | 340 | -58% |
| Fort Smith | $61,000 | 120 | -74% |
| Hot Springs | $55,000 | 50 | -62% |
| Jonesboro | $50,000 | 70 | -61% |
| Little Rock | $68,000 | 900 | -36% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $92,000 | 550 | -50% |
| Chico | $92,000 | 50 | -81% |
| Fresno | $80,000 | 340 | -75% |
| Modesto | $95,000 | 140 | -79% |
| Napa | $97,000 | 40 | -83% |
| Oakland | $102,000 | 7,530 | +72% |
| Oxnard | $85,000 | 1,690 | +37% |
| Redding | $45,000 | 80 | -68% |
| Riverside | $80,000 | 1,270 | -77% |
| Sacramento | $82,000 | 3,410 | -9% |
| Salinas | $123,000 | 230 | -63% |
| San Diego | $87,000 | 6,220 | +10% |
| San Francisco | $102,000 | 10,830 | +155% |
| San Jose | $108,000 | 17,990 | +361% |
| Santa Ana | $102,000 | 6,850 | +6% |
| Santa Barbara | $87,000 | 600 | -12% |
| Santa Cruz | $81,000 | 260 | -23% |
| Santa Rosa | $97,000 | 620 | -17% |
| Stockton | $81,000 | 150 | -83% |
| Vallejo | $81,000 | 230 | -53% |
| Visalia | $86,000 | 80 | -85% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $99,000 | 2,790 | +330% |
| Colorado Springs | $90,000 | 1,650 | +59% |
| Denver | $91,000 | 10,680 | +101% |
| Fort Collins | $87,000 | 400 | -16% |
| Grand Junction | $96,000 | 60 | -72% |
| Greeley | $83,000 | 120 | -58% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $96,000 | 2,380 | +30% |
| Danbury | $85,000 | 280 | +4% |
| Hartford | $83,000 | 4,120 | +69% |
| New Haven | $83,000 | 690 | -40% |
| Norwich | $95,000 | 690 | +40% |
| Waterbury | $85,000 | 110 | -57% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $90,000 | 1,280 | -6% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $95,000 | 26,650 | +171% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $89,000 | 230 | -73% |
| Deltona | $63,000 | 150 | -76% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $77,000 | 2,310 | -25% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $75,000 | 300 | +4% |
| Gainesville | $89,000 | 160 | -65% |
| Jacksonville | $86,000 | 1,920 | -24% |
| Lakeland | $71,000 | 170 | -79% |
| Miami | $69,000 | 1,370 | -67% |
| Naples | $83,000 | 120 | -75% |
| Ocala | $96,000 | 60 | -84% |
| Orlando | $75,000 | 3,220 | -27% |
| Palm Bay | $88,000 | 1,620 | +102% |
| Panama City | $55,000 | 50 | -81% |
| Pensacola | $64,000 | 160 | -73% |
| Sarasota | $67,000 | 300 | -72% |
| Tallahassee | $95,000 | 390 | -41% |
| Tampa | $80,000 | 4,730 | -8% |
| West Palm Beach | $86,000 | 980 | -57% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 80 | -72% | |
| Atlanta | $93,000 | 10,070 | 0% |
| Augusta | $69,000 | 250 | -70% |
| Columbus | $78,000 | 390 | -9% |
| Dalton | $101,000 | 170 | -43% |
| Macon | $54,000 | 60 | -85% |
| Warner Robins | $76,000 | 190 | +4% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $74,000 | 670 | -63% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur Dalene | $84,000 | 100 | -51% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $75,000 | 180 | -51% |
| Chicago | $88,000 | 14,140 | -13% |
| Peoria | $79,000 | 130 | -81% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $75,000 | 120 | -54% |
| Columbus | $70,000 | 290 | +89% |
| Elkhart | $60,000 | 30 | -94% |
| Evansville | $47,000 | 390 | -45% |
| Fort Wayne | $83,000 | 830 | -5% |
| Gary | $74,000 | 240 | -79% |
| Indianapolis | $73,000 | 2,830 | -25% |
| Lafayette | $61,000 | 100 | -65% |
| Michigan City | $64,000 | 70 | -55% |
| Muncie | $59,000 | 130 | -21% |
| South Bend | $65,000 | 340 | -37% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $75,000 | 1,630 | +203% |
| Davenport | $75,000 | 180 | -76% |
| Des Moines | $77,000 | 1,280 | -6% |
| Dubuque | $62,000 | 40 | -79% |
| Iowa City | $64,000 | 450 | +65% |
| Sioux City | $86,000 | 110 | -59% |
| Waterloo | $50,000 | 60 | -82% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $78,000 | 230 | -47% |
| Wichita | $60,000 | 620 | -51% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $57,000 | 50 | -77% |
| Lexington | $80,000 | 820 | -18% |
| Louisville | $70,000 | 2,350 | -10% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $68,000 | 390 | -75% |
| Lafayette | $53,000 | 80 | -86% |
| Monroe | $53,000 | 180 | -40% |
| New Orleans | $81,000 | 440 | -79% |
| Shreveport | $64,000 | 30 | -96% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $64,000 | 60 | -75% |
| Lewiston | $63,000 | 30 | -83% |
| Portland | $64,000 | 660 | -20% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $95,000 | 4,860 | -12% |
| Bethesda | $99,000 | 4,400 | +83% |
| Hagerstown | $75,000 | 140 | -64% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $126,000 | 60 | -85% |
| Boston | $100,000 | 16,370 | +124% |
| Brockton | $64,000 | 30 | -91% |
| Framingham | $103,000 | 2,290 | +249% |
| Haverhill | $105,000 | 240 | -19% |
| Lawrence | $93,000 | 190 | -11% |
| Leominster | $85,000 | 50 | -73% |
| Lowell | $106,000 | 2,150 | +347% |
| New Bedford | $76,000 | 40 | -84% |
| Pittsfield | $75,000 | 80 | -31% |
| Springfield | $78,000 | 880 | -29% |
| Worcester | $85,000 | 840 | -18% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $76,000 | 580 | -13% |
| Bay City | $63,000 | 50 | -59% |
| Detroit | $88,000 | 2,570 | -14% |
| Flint | $70,000 | 40 | -93% |
| Grand Rapids | $68,000 | 460 | -71% |
| Jackson | $72,000 | 110 | -43% |
| Kalamazoo | $72,000 | 190 | -65% |
| Lansing | $64,000 | 390 | -50% |
| Saginaw | $75,000 | 60 | -79% |
| Warren | $81,000 | 3,850 | -21% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $69,000 | 200 | -61% |
| Minneapolis | $88,000 | 13,410 | +76% |
| Rochester | $86,000 | 880 | +144% |
| St Cloud | $68,000 | 230 | -43% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $61,000 | 180 | -58% |
| Hattiesburg | $72,000 | 50 | -76% |
| Jackson | $64,000 | 640 | -39% |
| Pascagoula | $53,000 | 70 | -59% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $57,000 | 40 | -87% |
| Jefferson City | $63,000 | 490 | +88% |
| Kansas City | $76,000 | 3,510 | -20% |
| Springfield | $52,000 | 580 | -27% |
| St Louis | $82,000 | 5,880 | +2% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $61,000 | 930 | +41% |
| Omaha | $79,000 | 2,990 | +54% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $77,000 | 890 | -77% |
| Reno | $77,000 | 300 | -65% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $84,000 | 810 | +97% |
| Nashua | $91,000 | 2,410 | +335% |
| Portsmouth | $89,000 | 630 | +200% |
| Rochester | $77,000 | 130 | -39% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $74,000 | 430 | -28% |
| Camden | $81,000 | 2,120 | -5% |
| Edison | $90,000 | 10,270 | +135% |
| Newark | $90,000 | 5,050 | +18% |
| Trenton | $91,000 | 2,900 | +230% |
| Vineland | $82,000 | 40 | -81% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $81,000 | 960 | -41% |
| Las Cruces | $75,000 | 180 | -22% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $75,000 | 1,560 | -15% |
| Binghamton | $84,000 | 410 | -2% |
| Buffalo | $72,000 | 1,260 | -44% |
| Ithaca | $74,000 | 340 | +122% |
| Nassau | $94,000 | 2,130 | -60% |
| New York | $96,000 | 26,410 | +21% |
| Poughkeepsie | $96,000 | 490 | -50% |
| Rochester | $85,000 | 2,190 | +4% |
| Syracuse | $82,000 | 680 | -47% |
| Utica | $76,000 | 270 | -47% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $55,000 | 160 | -78% |
| Burlington | $71,000 | 230 | +4% |
| Charlotte | $91,000 | 2,640 | -30% |
| Durham | $94,000 | 3,140 | +178% |
| Greensboro | $86,000 | 740 | -52% |
| Hickory | $67,000 | 90 | -86% |
| Raleigh | $86,000 | 4,390 | +104% |
| Rocky Mount | $84,000 | 40 | -82% |
| Wilmington | 210 | -64% | |
| Winston Salem | $97,000 | 520 | -41% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $53,000 | 210 | +0% |
| Fargo | $67,000 | 380 | -17% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $79,000 | 1,020 | -27% |
| Canton | $78,000 | 250 | -64% |
| Cincinnati | $79,000 | 4,320 | -2% |
| Cleveland | $78,000 | 4,610 | +2% |
| Columbus | $81,000 | 7,000 | +77% |
| Dayton | $78,000 | 2,320 | +42% |
| Lima | $61,000 | 30 | -84% |
| Mansfield | $90,000 | 50 | -74% |
| Sandusky | $56,000 | 40 | -68% |
| Springfield | $82,000 | 40 | -77% |
| Toledo | $69,000 | 320 | -75% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $67,000 | 1,160 | -51% |
| Tulsa | $68,000 | 950 | -48% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $77,000 | 130 | -50% |
| Corvallis | $82,000 | 140 | +29% |
| Medford | $65,000 | 130 | -60% |
| Portland | $90,000 | 7,290 | +66% |
| Salem | $67,000 | 90 | -85% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $88,000 | 450 | -68% |
| Altoona | $75,000 | 50 | -78% |
| Erie | $74,000 | 120 | -76% |
| Harrisburg | $72,000 | 1,920 | +46% |
| Lancaster | $76,000 | 260 | -73% |
| Philadelphia | $92,000 | 5,850 | -27% |
| Pittsburgh | $79,000 | 3,240 | -33% |
| Reading | $88,000 | 90 | -86% |
| Scranton | $70,000 | 230 | -78% |
| State College | $84,000 | 240 | +15% |
| Williamsport | $63,000 | 40 | -79% |
| York | $57,000 | 80 | -89% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $86,000 | 1,080 | -55% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $73,000 | 310 | -74% |
| Columbia | $75,000 | 510 | -65% |
| Florence | $72,000 | 40 | -88% |
| Greenville | $75,000 | 580 | -54% |
| Spartanburg | $66,000 | 110 | -77% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $75,000 | 100 | -57% |
| Sioux Falls | $69,000 | 370 | -33% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $69,000 | 120 | -87% |
| Clarksville | $62,000 | 60 | -79% |
| Johnson City | 60 | -79% | |
| Kingsport | $56,000 | 80 | -82% |
| Knoxville | $71,000 | 510 | -63% |
| Memphis | $72,000 | 450 | -83% |
| Nashville | $73,000 | 1,990 | -38% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | $76,000 | 70 | -82% |
| Austin | $93,000 | 6,660 | +107% |
| College Station | $84,000 | 120 | -59% |
| Corpus Christi | $74,000 | 60 | -92% |
| Dallas | $92,000 | 12,550 | +40% |
| El Paso | $72,000 | 70 | -94% |
| Fort Worth | $88,000 | 1,620 | -56% |
| Houston | $89,000 | 8,490 | -23% |
| Killeen | $89,000 | 120 | -75% |
| Lubbock | $79,000 | 80 | -83% |
| Midland | $92,000 | 70 | -72% |
| San Antonio | $75,000 | 2,690 | -24% |
| Waco | $73,000 | 70 | -81% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $53,000 | 80 | -52% |
| Ogden | $73,000 | 310 | -62% |
| Provo | $81,000 | 1,190 | +78% |
| Salt Lake City | $78,000 | 2,890 | +9% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $80,000 | 490 | +13% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $55,000 | 290 | +27% |
| Charlottesville | $79,000 | 660 | +82% |
| Harrisonburg | $86,000 | 110 | -45% |
| Lynchburg | $82,000 | 170 | -57% |
| Richmond | $89,000 | 3,790 | +50% |
| Roanoke | $72,000 | 270 | -58% |
| Virginia Beach | $78,000 | 3,150 | -1% |
| Winchester | $83,000 | 50 | -74% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $73,000 | 140 | -54% |
| Bremerton | $85,000 | 160 | -50% |
| Kennewick | $90,000 | 160 | -54% |
| Olympia | $72,000 | 2,520 | +594% |
| Seattle | $94,000 | 21,250 | +248% |
| Spokane | $69,000 | 490 | -43% |
| Tacoma | $75,000 | 390 | -65% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $72,000 | 110 | -81% |
| Morgantown | $72,000 | 50 | -70% |
| Weirton | $67,000 | 50 | -67% |
| Wheeling | $64,000 | 60 | -75% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $69,000 | 270 | -40% |
| Eau Claire | $67,000 | 170 | -42% |
| Green Bay | $71,000 | 630 | -7% |
| La Crosse | $70,000 | 140 | -46% |
| Madison | $78,000 | 2,130 | +54% |
| Milwaukee | $74,000 | 4,320 | +20% |
| Oshkosh | $68,000 | 160 | -51% |
| Racine | $75,000 | 190 | -36% |
| Sheboygan | $67,000 | 80 | -62% |
| Wausau | $70,000 | 250 | -1% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $58,000 | 120 | -23% |