How to Become a Software Engineer in 2025

Software engineers are in high demand, creating a lucrative career for those seeking to become a software engineer. Learn about how long it takes to become a software engineer, job outlook, salary information, and more.

We live in an increasingly tech-reliant world, and that means a stronger reliance on software applications. The people who create and manage these applications are called software engineers.

Software engineering covers every step of software development and maintenance. As a result, software engineers must receive training on everything from programming languages to algorithms, data structures, and architecture.

Software engineers are in high demand and often make over six figures. Keep reading to discover more about software engineer education requirements and how to become a software engineer.

What Is Software Engineering?

Software engineering is a field within computer science that focuses on the design and development of software applications, as well as the testing and maintenance of this software. This field uses engineering principles and programming languages to build software systems for end users.

Because there are many types of software applications and several use cases for software, this field offers career opportunities at many levels and across numerous industries.

There's a lot of knowledge that goes into software engineering. However, learning it all doesn't have to put you in debt; there are many cheap software engineering degrees online that provide an excellent education in the field.

What Does a Software Engineer Do?

Software engineers use programming languages, data structures, and frameworks to create all types of software, from video games to operating systems. Their daily tasks may include:

designing and maintaining various software systems or applications
testing new software
writing code and testing it
ensuring software systems are compatible with the necessary platforms
updating software applications as needed
consulting with clients and other members of the engineering team to create software that meets the clients' needs.

There are many different types of software engineers, all focused on various aspects of the development process or different types of software. For example, programmers focus on coding and programming, game developers create video games, and web developers design web applications.

How To Become a Software Engineer

There are no set software engineer education requirements; it's even possible to become a software engineer without a degree. However, most software engineers take a traditional pathway toward their careers. We've outlined this below.

Step 1: Earn a Software Engineering Degree

Most places that hire software engineers, like tech companies, prefer that their engineers hold degrees. An associate's degree is usually the minimum, but a bachelor's is ideal.

Some schools offer software engineering degrees. Others offer software engineering as a concentration within a computer science degree or information technology program.

Associate degrees take about two years to complete, while bachelor's degrees take about four. Your software engineering degree program will likely include courses on topics like:

algorithms
artificial intelligence and machine learning
cybersecurity basics
fundamentals of coding languages (e.g., Java, JavaScript, Python, CSS, and SQL)
front-end, back-end, and full-stack development
testing and debugging

Alternate Educational Path: Software Engineering Bootcamp

Some software engineers are self-taught, while others use pathways such as coding bootcamps or certification programs. These are shorter, more intensive options that help you learn the fundamentals of software engineering.

Note that while these can be incredibly valuable, a bachelor's degree is often more valuable in the job market.

Step 2: Develop Your Software Engineering Skills

While in your software engineering degree or program, you'll work on developing skills that will help you excel in your software engineering career. This includes a range of technical and soft skills.

Technical Skills

There are a variety of technical skills that software engineers need. These include:

Agile and Scrum project management
cloud computing
coding languages like Python and Java
database architecture
design testing and debugging
object-oriented programming
operating systems
version control

Taking advantage of hands-on experiences or working on personal projects can help you develop these skills. Platforms like GitHub offer access to open-source coding for practice, and free software engineering courses can help you hone your skills.

Soft Skills

In addition to technical skills, there are numerous soft skills that software engineers need, such as:

attention to detail
critical thinking
multitasking
problem solving
project management

Step 3: Gain Experience With an Internship

One of the best ways to hone your technical and soft skills is through an internship. This gives you real-world experience and allows you to receive mentoring and network with others in your industry.

Most students do their internships during their junior or senior year. Many companies, like Amazon, offer internships. Check with your school to see what options are available.

Step 4: Apply for an Entry-Level Job

Now that you've earned your degree, you can start applying for entry-level software engineering jobs. This can be intimidating, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that roles for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected to increase by 17% over the next decade.

Leverage connections that you made during your degree program and internship experience. You can also use platforms like LeetCode to help you practice interview questions and problem-solving skills.

Step 5: Consider a Master's Degree

A master's degree is not a requirement to become a software engineer. However, there are advantages to earning a graduate degree.

Master's degrees give you an opportunity to further your education, which is crucial in an ever-evolving field like software engineering that requires continuous learning. Master's degrees can also help you further your career path and increase your value in the job market.

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

Software developers and software engineers have very similar roles, to the point that the terms are often used interchangeably. However, technically, the two roles are different.

Software developers tend to focus more on writing code and testing software applications. Their skills are focused on coding languages, frameworks, databases, and version control.

Software engineers, on the other hand, focus on more advanced software engineering, like structural design. While they still need to understand programming languages, their job requires them to make high-level decisions that cover the scope of the entire software project.

What Is the Average Salary of a Software Engineer?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not offer salary information for software engineers specifically, but it does include software engineers under its umbrella of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.

According to the BLS, the median pay for specialists in this category is $131,450 per year. States that have the highest annual mean wages for this category include:

California: $182,570
Washington: $152,010
Rhode Island: $141,130
New York: $141,130

FAQs About Becoming a Software Engineer

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about becoming a software engineer.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Software Engineer?

The length of time it takes to become a software engineer depends on several factors, including what pathway you take, if you have college credits already, and whether you study full-time or part-time.

Most students can complete a bachelor's computer science degree in four years of full-time study. If you transition to a role as a software engineer immediately after graduation, you can become a software engineer in just over four years.

Is 30 Too Late To Become a Software Engineer?

Age 30 is not too late to become a software engineer. Many adults change careers throughout their lives.

You can find computer science and software engineering programs online to help you manage your busy life and school. There are even affordable and potentially free online software engineering degrees you can pursue.

Can You Make $500,000 as a Software Engineer?

Most software engineers do not make $500,000. According to the BLS, the top 90% earn a mean wage of $198,100 per year.

However, there are potential ways you could earn $500,000 annually. Some businesses offer bonuses and incentive programs that boost your wages. Additionally, creating highly successful software could potentially earn a higher salary.

What Are the Best Online Courses To Become a Software Engineer?

Several platforms offer online courses for software engineers. For example, IBM offers DevOps and software engineering courses on Coursera, while Microsoft offers front-end, back-end, and full-stack development courses. IBM also offers its software engineering program on edX.

Are There Remote Software Engineer Jobs?

Many software engineers work remotely or from home. However, you may have to work your way up to roles that allow you to work from home.

Explore Software Engineering Degrees

Start your journey toward becoming a software engineer by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Contact individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and hands-on experiences.