How To Become a Software Engineer in Massachusetts 2025

Software engineering is in high demand, as engineers are well-known for their problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and hands-on experience. The software engineer educational requirements vary from company to company, but many only require a bachelor's degree and some real-world experience typically gained through an internship.

Keep reading to learn more about how to become a software engineer, as well as areas of concentration for software engineers and their average annual salary in Massachusetts.

What Is Software Engineering?

Software engineering is a wide and varied branch of computer science. Much of the field revolves around broad concepts such as software design and integration with pre-existing systems. It applies engineering concepts and skills to the world of computer science and information technology by building software with an organized and structured approach.

Software engineering combines the front-end, or user-facing, aspects of a program with the back-end, or behind-the-scenes, technology to create a complete program.

What Does a Software Engineer Do?

A software engineer develops software for end-users. Fundamental skills for software engineers include being able to read and write code, troubleshoot software, and develop data structures. Software engineers design programs using programming languages such as JavaScript, Structured Query Language (SQL), Java, and Python.

Software engineers can also specialize in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computer graphics, and more. These specializations may require additional education but can be found in many of the cheapest software engineering degrees online.

5 Steps To Become a Software Engineer in Massachusetts

It's important to learn the steps of how to become a software engineer in Massachusetts to streamline your career and get you into a high-paying job as quickly as possible.

Step 1: Earn a Software Engineering Degree

The first step for aspiring software engineers is to earn a degree. Most employers prefer a Bachelor of Science (BS) in software engineering or a related field such as information technology or computer science, though many successful software engineers simply earn an associate degree.

The higher your education level, the higher your salary potential. Keep that in mind when deciding between an associate or bachelor's degree.

Alternate Educational Path: Software Engineering Bootcamp

It is possible become a software engineer without a degree through software engineering bootcamps. These programs can be found online and allow prospective software engineers to build their technical skills independently.

There are even free software engineering courses to help you gain experience without breaking the bank.

While coding bootcamps are great for independent learners, some employers prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree. You can learn many vital skills in bootcamp courses, but you may be able to take your software engineering career further with a degree.

Step 2: Develop Your Software Engineering Skills

While studying, it's important to develop your software engineering skills. There are two kinds of skills important for software engineers to succeed: technical skills and soft skills.

Technical Skills

Technical skills are the software-focused skills that software engineers use on a day-to-day basis. This includes knowledge of coding languages, algorithms, data analytics, and multiple kinds of operating systems. A good software engineer can read and write in multiple programming languages and manage different kinds of software systems.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are what help software engineers land and keep a good, high-paying job. These include interpersonal skills, project management, written and verbal communication proficiency, and more. Soft skills are important in working with a team and potentially leading projects.

Step 3: Gain Experience With an Internship

While studying, it's important to gain hands-on, real-world experience with an internship. Some internships are paid opportunities, while others may simply offer college credits.

Students can find internships through a wide variety of tech companies, ranging from startups all the way to corporations like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google.

Step 4: Apply for an Entry-Level Job

Upon completion of a degree or software engineering bootcamp, it's time to apply for an entry-level job. Job openings can be found across the country, as software engineer jobs are in high demand. Massachusetts has one of the highest median salaries for software developers and engineers at approximately $134,000 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Step 5: Consider a Master's Degree

While a master's degree is not required to be a good software engineer, it can open up more career paths. A master's degree program may allow you to specialize in niche areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, and more. This could open up more opportunities in the job market.

Software Developer vs. Software Engineer: What's the Difference?

Software developers and software engineers have very similar careers, with similar salaries and experience requirements. Some agencies use the terms interchangeably, although there are some slight yet important distinctions.

Software developers write code, design user interfaces, and develop programs for use. They are programmers, coders, and often the ones doing the detailed work of testing code. A full-stack developer does this for both the user-facing (front-end) and engineer-facing (back-end) components of a program.

Software engineers look holistically at a software project and focus on big-picture concepts such as design integration, software methodologies, and overall development. Simply put, all full-stack developers are software engineers, but not all software engineers are full-stack developers.

What Is the Average Salary of a Software Engineer in Massachusetts?

The average salary for a software engineer in Massachusetts is approximately $134,000 per year, according to the the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, though that figure could shift up or down depending on your education level and employment status.

For example, full-time employees with years of hands-on experience and a master's degree will make more money than a part-time developer with bootcamp certifications only. It's important to choose the right level of schooling to meet your financial goals.

FAQs About Becoming a Software Engineer in Massachusetts

Becoming a software engineer requires hard work, dedication, and several years of commitment to education if you choose to earn a degree. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a software engineer.

What Qualifications Do I Need To Be a Software Engineer in Massachusetts?

A bachelor's degree is not required to become a software engineer in Massachusetts; however, it is highly beneficial when searching for an entry-level position. Your degree should be in a field related to software engineering, such as computer science or information technology.

What Jobs Can I Do With a Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering?

There are many career paths for someone with a bachelor's degree in software engineering, including web developer, full-stack developer, software architect, and more.

How Many Years Does It Take To Become a Software Engineer?

It takes approximately five years to become a software engineer if you choose to complete a bachelor's degree. This includes the time for degree completion, an internship, and job applications.

What Programming Languages Should You Focus on To Become a Software Engineer?

Software engineers should be knowledgeable in JavaScript, Python, Java, and C++. Additionally, it's helpful to be comfortable with HTML and CSS, though they are not technically programming languages.

Pursue a Software Engineering Degree

Becoming a software engineer is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice that you can explore without breaking the bank. Learn more about free online software engineering degrees to jumpstart your career here on Learn.org.