The ultimate guide to becoming a software engineer

There isn't an industry in which software engineers don’t play a significant role. Without software engineering, a computer is nothing more than some wires, silicon, and plastic.

Software engineers are also the beating heart of any tech firm, from small businesses to giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon, with their skills helping these companies make billions each year.

Somewhere, an engineer is developing software that will, at some point, be a big part of your life, whether it's a new operating system or the latest role-playing game. Software engineers are constantly changing the world we live in, and they will only get more important as we continue putting more focus on tech.

As new technologies like AI and quantum computing emerge over the coming years, there’ll inevitably be a greater need for software engineers. So if you’re looking for a lucrative career path, software engineering could be worth considering. But how do you actually become a software engineer and succeed in this area?

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What does a software engineer do?

Software engineers design and help to develop applications for business, organizational, and personal needs on various platforms, including mobile devices and computers.

Today, a diverse range of software exists, including enterprise software, operating systems, mobile apps, networking systems, and more.

In their roles, software engineers leverage technical, scientific, and engineering principles, allowing them to create completely new software and improve existing apps.

Since new technical trends are always emerging, software engineers are used to working under pressure. And because software engineers oversee the entire development project, they can play a role in all stages of the software development lifecycle, from design and development to testing and deployment.

Careers in software engineering

The demand for software engineers is driven by the need for technological solutions.

For instance, health care organizations are seeking new software solutions to enhance patient care will need a software engineer. As will a financial service organization that need to provide efficient technology-driven services to customers.

When trends like mobile computing, big data and security are coupled with traditional industries, it creates new opportunities for software engineers. This means there’s room for software engineers in almost every business sector.

Generative AI can produce code at a rate and scale that was previously impossible, as well as allow non-experts to produce code. It's already changing software engineering massively, in both positive and negative ways, and some fear it could spark mass job losses for software engineers. However, senior figures such as Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff have disputed this, arguing that the technology is a positive for software engineers and cannot replace them.

Software engineer roles and salaries

After training to become a software engineer, you can apply for many roles across the industry. There are different software engineering roles that suit everyone’s interests and skillsets, according to Sackey.

He says common roles in software engineering include web developers, backend engineers, full-stack engineers, mobile engineers, embedded engineers, machine learning engineers, and blockchain engineers.

Sackey explains that people can also specialize in a field linked to software engineering, such as data science, quality assurance engineering, cybersecurity analysis, and DevOps. He adds: “Each role contributes uniquely to the software development lifecycle, reflecting the breadth and depth of opportunities within the field.”

Depending on the level, location, and specialization of software engineering roles, salaries vary widely. Indeed tracks the average UK salary for software engineers as £50,341 as of April 2026, versus $132,438 in the United States. In the latter, salaries can reach levels as high as $221,204 according to the hiring website.

Software engineer vs. software developer

Ultimately, software engineers are responsible for the bigger picture of software development projects, so they may be used to getting involved in the development side of things from time to time.

The key difference is the engineer focuses on the project as a whole, while a software developer uses their creativity, practices and patterns to create the engineer’s vision. Most software engineers have no issues with rolling up their sleeves and getting deep into code, though.

How do you become a software engineer?

When it comes to pursuing a career as a software engineer, there are a few different routes available. The most common route is completing a software engineering degree at either undergraduate or postgraduate level.

But Emmanuel Sackey, principal consultant at Ivy Rock Partners and a former recruiter with expertise in technical roles, points out that many people also pursue degrees in related fields like computer science, electrical engineering, and information technology, which allow them to learn how to code and create their first apps before landing a full-time job.

Highly analytical subjects like mathematics and physics can also be good options for budding software engineers, he adds. And those who didn’t study an undergraduate software engineering or IT degree can always take a conversion course in the subject after graduating.

Of course, formal education isn’t for everyone, but just because you don’t have a degree doesn’t mean you can’t become a software engineer. Sackey explains that a non-university route is pursuing a software engineering bootcamp.

“These are short, intensive courses which usually last 8-16 weeks and condense the learning of the skills you need to get a software engineering job in accelerated timelines,” he explains.

For people who don’t think formal degrees or bootcamps are for them, there’s always the self-taught route. By pursuing a free online coding course, you can acquire the skills needed to become a software engineer from any location and at any time of the day. There are also courses for specific programming languages like Python.

“These people have normally been coding since a young age and have a keen interest in software engineering as a hobby,” adds Sackey. “This is, however, by far the smallest number of people in the industry as it’s much harder to secure that initial role.”

Education

Getting a formal education is the primary step toward becoming a software engineer.

To pursue entry-level positions, prospective students can choose from an array of traditional and nontraditional programs, including getting a degree or attending a coding boot camp.

Associate’s degree

Though some employers prefer hiring candidates with a four-year degree, an associate’s degree will help you land an entry-level job.

You can choose from an array of majors, including software systems engineering or software engineering. The curriculum focuses on the core principles of programming languages, software engineering and modern approaches to software development.

Classes you take may include database management systems, web application development, operating systems and network administration.

Cost can be a big driver when considering your career path, and an associate’s degree is one of the more economical options. On average, annual in-state tuition at a public two-year college is $3,598.

That tuition, of course, doesn’t consider room, board, books, transportation and other necessities, which bring the average yearly cost to $17,580.

Pros:

• Can land an entry-level job
• Relatively low cost
• Quicker and more flexible than earning a bachelor’s degree

Cons:

• Some employers prefer a bachelor’s degree
• Room, board and books can add up
• Not as quick as most coding boot camps

Bachelor’s degree

A bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science or a related field swings the door into software engineering wide open and sets you up for great career advancement.

The curriculum in a bachelor’s program is broader and provides a foundation in mathematics and computer science. Four types of classes are included under most software engineering bachelors’ degree programs: object-oriented software development, computer security, project management and user interface.

You’ll also take courses that’ll set you up nicely to handle other aspects of the job and corporate world not centered on coding or engineering, including a foreign language, economics, and others.

A bachelor’s degree carries a lot of value, but it also comes at a cost.

If you plan to attend an in-state public university, expect to pay an average of $9,970 per year. If you have your heart set on an out-of-state university, that average shoots up to $25,620. To attend a private four-year college, it’s ever pricier at $34,740 per year.

You can also tack on another $15,000, or so, for books, room and board, supplies and other school-related costs.

Pros:

• Graduates are more prepared for the corporate world
• Bachelor’s degree holds more value in the screening process

Cons:

• The four-year degree comes with a huge price tag
• Four years of school can seem like forever

Graduate degree

Though a bachelor’s degree will help you land a decent job and may even propel you into management, a graduate degree can accelerate your upward path.

Software engineering is more than just programming. It also calls for interdisciplinary skills like cost analysis, critical thinking and project management, which you can pick up from a master’s program in information science, computer science or software engineering.

Students who opt for graduate degree programs in software engineering can choose from mathematical modeling, software design, software testing and software system architecture.

The cost of a master’s degree varies with the school you attend, the length of the program and whether you’re a full- or part-time student.

According to Peterson’s, the average annual tuition at a public grad school will run $30,000, while a private school will cost $40,000. If you enter a two-year master’s program, you’re looking at $60,000-$80,000 on top of the bachelor’s degree cost.

If you’re debating spending an extra $60,000-$80,000 to get your master’s degree, you may be concerned about the return on investment.

Yes, you’ll lose two years’ of earnings by entering a master’s program, but the U.S. Census Bureau reports someone with a master’s degree earns, on average, $40,000 more annually over their lifetime than someone with a bachelor’s degree.

Pros:

• It sets you apart from candidates who only hold their bachelor’s
• Those with a master’s degree often find better pay
• Some programs are 100% online

Cons:

• Huge costs
• Income potential isn’t guaranteed

Coding boot camp ( 8-12 weeks)

An alternative education path to become a software engineer is a coding boot camp.

A coding boot camp’s time frame can vary greatly. A quick camp lasts 8-12 weeks, but an intensive camp where you learn multiple stacks can last up to five years.

Coding boot camps offer students hands-on experience and put them in an immersive learning environment. After graduation, students can pursue entry-level careers as software engineers or developers.

Because of the broad range of time and depth of learning various coding boot camps offer, there’s an equally broad range of pricing. On average, a coding boot camp runs $13,584, but they can range from free to $21,000, according to Course Report.

Like colleges, most boot camps accept cash as payment, which you can use a loan for. However, boot camps have a unique wrinkle in that some offer income-sharing agreements (IGA). An IGA allows you to attend the camp for little to no upfront out-of-pocket costs, but you enter an agreement to share a portion of your salary with the boot camp after graduation for several years after graduating and landing a job.

Pros:

• Cheaper and quicker than college
• Immediately applicable skills
• Hands-on experience

Cons:

• Not as marketable to large companies
• Narrow focus
• Flexible IGA payment option

Do an internship

IT internships are great for gaining real-world experience as a recent or soon-to-be graduate. Many tech companies offer paid internships for graduates or those who are about to graduate and want to expand their skills in specific areas like XML, Java or SQL.

Keep in mind that most companies prefer interns with at least a bachelor’s degree, but this doesn’t outright disqualify you if you have an associate’s degree. You may, however, have fewer opportunities and a lower wage.

Typically, internships last 3-6 months, and salaries are generally relatively low — $19.17 per hour, according to Indeed. The payoff is you work on specific products or projects related to the skills you want to pick up.

Get certified

Software engineering demands precise technical skills, and a certificate will verify your knowledge and abilities in a specific area. It shows you've practiced in the area you want to work and gained the experience needed to demonstrate a high level of competence.

Alongside the experience you gain, an IT certification also enhances your marketability in the increasingly competitive marketplace. If a hiring manager is looking at two evenly matched software engineers, but you have the certification they’re looking for, you may have the upper hand.

Technology vendors who offer certifications include Microsoft, Oracle and Cisco. Professional organizations like IEEE also offer certification tailored to specific areas of practice.

You can get a certification at any time during your career, whether you just completed a coding boot camp, learned to code on your own, just got your master’s degree or are a grizzled veteran looking to brush up on new skills.