Employment
 Computer
software engineers hold about 857,000 jobs in the United States.
Approximately 507,000 were computer applications software engineers, and
about 350,000 were computer systems software engineers. Although they
are employed in most industries, the largest concentration of computer
software engineers -- more than 29 percent -- is in computer systems
design and related services.
Many computer software
engineers also work for establishments in other industries, such as
software publishers, government agencies, manufacturers of computers and
related electronic equipment, financial institutions, insurance
providers, and management of companies and enterprises.
An increasing number
of computer software engineers work as independent consultants on a
temporary or contract basis, many of whom are self-employed. About
17,000 computer software engineers are self-employed.
Employers of computer
software engineers range from startup companies to established industry
leaders. The proliferation of Internet, e-mail, and other communications
systems is expanding electronics to engineering firms that are
traditionally associated with unrelated disciplines. Engineering firms
specializing in building bridges and power plants, for example, hire
computer software engineers to design and develop new geographic data
systems and automated drafting systems.
 Communications
firms need computer software engineers to tap into growth in the
personal communications market. Major communications companies have many
job openings for both computer software applications engineers and
computer systems engineers.
As is the case with
most occupations, advancement opportunities for computer software
engineers increase with experience. Entry-level computer software
engineers are likely to test and verify ongoing designs. As they become
more experienced, they may become involved in designing and developing
software. Eventually, they may advance to become a project manager,
manager of information systems, or chief information officer. Some
computer software engineers with several years of experience or
expertise find lucrative opportunities working as systems designers or
independent consultants or starting their own computer consulting firms.
The following is a partial
list of employers of computer software engineers:
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Technology Intensive Firms
U.S. Federal Government
and State and Local Affiliates
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Other
Firms
Other Employers
- Colleges and
Universities
- K-12 Schools
- Professional
Associations
- Temporary Firms
- Consultants
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Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the
US Department
of Labor,
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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