The Job Seeker’s Guide to Entry-Level Software Engineer Jobs

Entry-level roles can be found in any industry. They are ideal opportunities for anyone who is new to a career field because they require the least education, training, or professional experience to perform. Typically, these types of roles will be described in job postings with keywords such as entry-level, junior, or associate. In the following article, you can learn more about software engineer jobs at the entry level and how you can obtain one.

What are entry-level software engineer jobs?

Entry-level software engineers often work under the direction of more senior developers. As a novice software engineer, you're likely to spend your days performing basic troubleshooting, testing, and debugging tasks. You may also contribute to new features by writing code or enhance old features by updating existing code.

Requirements

Typically, entry-level software engineer jobs require one or more of the following qualifications:

• Familiarity with programming languages such as Java, Swift, or C#

• Experience working in a collaborative environment 

• A computer science degree or equivalent experience in a related field of study

Seventy-three percent of software engineers in the United States have a bachelor's degree, 20 percent have a master's, and four percent have an associate degree [1]. If you haven’t yet gained the skills mentioned above, don’t worry. The following article covers several ways for future software engineers to prepare for an entry-level role. 

Read more: 5 Tech Entry-Level Jobs: No Experience or Commute Required

Entry-level software engineer salary

Although salaries vary based on expertise levels, many entry-level software engineer jobs pay above-average wages. The median annual salary for all occupations is $46,310, per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [2]. The average salary for entry-level software engineers is $87,508, according to Glassdoor [3]. Entry-level software engineers also report an average additional pay of $17,707 per year. These figures bring the estimated yearly compensation for entry-level software engineers to $105,215.

Job outlook for software engineers

Software engineers belong to the occupational field of computer and information technology. Careers in this industry are expected to grow between 2022 and 2032, with an average 377,500 openings projected annually [2]. For established professionals and recent graduates, these circumstances provide many opportunities to begin a career in software engineering. 

How to find entry-level software engineering jobs

The field of computer science and information technology involves many different disciplines. It’s important to narrow the scope of your search to avoid encountering jobs you’re not yet qualified for. Keep in mind that all software engineers begin their careers in entry-level positions. Instead of searching Google for something like “entry-level software engineer jobs near me,” consider tailoring your search with the tips below.

Choose one (or a few) specializations that pique your interest. If you haven’t yet decided on a specialization, browsing specific career paths can still be helpful. Your search will return more precise results, enabling you to visualize the expectations for specific roles. Examples of software engineering specializations you can pursue include:

• Web development. Web developers build, test, and maintain web applications and sites. If you’re interested in becoming a web developer, consider taking an online course like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for Web Developers.

• Game developer. If you're interested in video games, visual design, and artificial intelligence (AI), game development could be a suitable career path for you.

• Internet of Things (IoT) engineering. IoT engineers create and maintain IoT hardware, software, platforms, and systems. 

• Blockchain development. A blockchain developer is a software developer who focuses on developing blockchain-based technologies. 

• Mobile application development. This subcategory of software engineering and development has grown rapidly over the last few years. You may choose to become an iOS developer (someone who creates applications for Apple devices or MacOS software), or an Android developer.

Include remote and in-person positions. Sixty-six percent of software engineers work fully remotely and 80 percent want to work remotely, according to Terminal’s State of Engineering Report 2022. 

Browse job postings even if you’re not ready to apply. You can gain valuable insight from browsing job postings. Not only can you discover opportunities that value your current skill set, but you can also learn about in-demand expertise.

Job searching platforms for software engineers

When you’re ready to begin your search, you’ll find many different job listing platforms to choose from. A few of the most popular choices among job seekers are Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Additionally, ZipRecruiter and Hired.com have some of the highest ratings on Trustpilot, an online review community that collects and publishes genuine consumer feedback. Consider using the software engineering-focused job boards below for a narrower search scope. 

• Dice. Dice is a career website mainly serving information technology (IT) and engineering professionals. 

• Gun.io. Gun.io is a software development platform that helps unite companies and freelance engineers.

Meta Career Programs Job Board

The Meta Career Programs Job Board is an excellent resource for software engineering job seekers. Over 200 employers use this job board run by a tech industry leader to source qualified employees. When you complete a course from the Meta Degrees and Certificates catalog, you can gain access to the Meta Career Programs Job Board while also building your software engineering skill set. Here are a few specific courses that you can use to increase your expertise as an entry-level software engineer:

• Meta Front End Developer

• Meta Back End Developer

• Meta Database Engineer

Read more: Front End vs. Back End: Learning Skills and Tools

Google job boards

Google’s job board is another reputable resource for entry-level software engineer jobs. Candidates who earn Google Career Certificates gain direct access to open positions listed by over 150 Google-vetted employers in the US. Relevant career certificates for beginners in software engineering include:

• Introduction to Git and GitHub

• Google UX Design

• Crash Course on Python

Read more: What Does a UX Designer Do?

Top companies listing software engineering jobs

To determine the top companies, we examined Glassdoor’s list of the top companies hiring for software engineer jobs. We further curated it to adequately represent several industries and eliminate companies with low employee ratings. Employee ratings are measured on a scale of one to five stars. They are calculated based on six categories: culture and values, diversity and inclusion, work/life balance, senior management, compensation and benefits, and career opportunities. 

How to get an interview for an entry-level software engineering job

There are many pathways to a career in software engineering. If you’re searching for entry-level software engineering jobs, you may be a recent graduate or someone who does not have prior professional experience in the field. 

In lieu of—or in addition to—these credentials, you can demonstrate your abilities in several ways. For example, you can earn Professional Certificates like the ones mentioned above from Google and Meta. Read on for more opportunities to increase your competitiveness as a candidate. 

Build the essential skills.

The following checklist contains core skills for software engineers. Consider using it to identify areas of focus for your study.

• Technical proficiency

• Problem-solving skills

• Familiarity with programming languages, frameworks, and code repositories 

• Written and verbal communication skills

• Analytical capabilities

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively

Read more: 6 Tips for Sharpening Software Developer Skills

Enhance your resume. 

It’s essential to establish yourself as a strong candidate for any role. As a software engineer, you have an opportunity to showcase your abilities through a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of your best work demonstrating your skills to potential employers. If you don’t yet have independent work for your portfolio, consider enrolling in a Guided Project like Python 101: Develop Your First Python Program.

Read more: 10 Ways to Enhance Your Resume

Stay current with your industry. 

Another way to prepare for an entry-level software engineer job is to follow relevant YouTube channels, social media pages, and blogs. For example, if you’re learning how to become a React developer, you can join the React Native Facebook Group. Becoming an active member of a relevant community can help you stay current with the latest technologies and trends. Software engineers can also utilize collaborative platforms like GitHub and Stack Overflow. 

Additional resources for aspiring software engineers

• Top 5 Entry-Level Computer Science Jobs + How to Get One

• 5 Entry-Level Programming Jobs + How to Get One

• What Does a Software Engineer Do?

• What is a Full-Stack Engineer? Job Description

• How to Become a Software Developer | 9 Tips

Get prepared with Coursera 

Start preparing for your first entry-level software engineer job and earn a certificate online from an industry leader. Consider IBM’s DevOps and Software Engineering, Meta's Back End Developer, or Google's UX Design Professional Certificates.