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Job outlook for software engineers senior in quality in the United States
Software engineer senior in quality job and salary trends over time
Software engineer senior in quality jobs over time
Software engineer senior in quality job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56,911 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 54,324 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 38,234 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 26,147 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 21,653 | 0.01% |
Average software engineer senior in quality salary over time
Software engineer senior in quality salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $110,979 | $53.36 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $107,322 | $51.60 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $104,893 | $50.43 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $102,848 | $49.45 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $100,524 | $48.33 | +1.5% |
Software engineer senior in quality jobs by state
Most common states for software engineers senior in quality
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 719 | 104% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 5,305 | 72% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 475 | 49% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 492 | 46% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 2,727 | 45% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3,768 | 44% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 3,029 | 44% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1,373 | 44% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 272 | 44% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,793 | 43% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 576 | 43% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 15,450 | 39% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 2,069 | 37% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,982 | 36% |
| 15 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 275 | 32% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 181 | 31% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 850 | 29% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 222 | 29% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,891 | 28% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 295 | 28% |
Most common cities for software engineers senior in quality
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlsbad | 3 | 3% | $122,521 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $100,954 |
| 3 | Boulder | 2 | 2% | $94,628 |
| 4 | Cambridge | 2 | 2% | $98,141 |
| 5 | Melbourne | 2 | 2% | $82,764 |
| 6 | San Francisco | 6 | 1% | $141,521 |
| 7 | San Jose | 6 | 1% | $140,537 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $85,407 |
| 9 | Orlando | 3 | 1% | $82,925 |
| 10 | Irvine | 2 | 1% | $124,301 |
| 11 | Newark | 2 | 1% | $105,735 |
| 12 | San Diego | 4 | 0% | $121,808 |
| 13 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $98,171 |
| 14 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $94,332 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $126,502 |
| 16 | New York | 2 | 0% | $93,703 |
| 17 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $93,801 |
Software Engineer Senior In Quality job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of software engineer senior in quality experts
California State University - Sacramento
Nova Southeastern University
Carnegie Mellon University
Seminole State College of Florida
Eastern Washington University
Northwestern University
Southwestern University
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Texas A&M University
Aurora University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Taylor University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Texas Christian University
What general advice would you give to a Software Engineer Senior In Quality?
Sepehr Mohammadian: 2. Computer science remains in high demand in today's job market, with California exemplifying this trend. In recent years, the number of open positions in the state has exceeded the average demand rate by 1.5 times. At the University of the Pacific, our CS program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and experiences to thrive in this landscape. Through our co-op program, in collaboration with recruiters such as Nvidia, HP, and Lawrence Livermore National Lab, students have the opportunity to participate in paid internships lasting approximately 8 months. These internships provide invaluable exposure to real-world work settings and allow students to apply their knowledge in practical contexts and gain valuable industry insights. It is worth noting that many of our graduates choose to return to the same company post-graduation.
What general advice would you give to a Software Engineer Senior In Quality?
Dr. Sridhar Ramachandran: As a Computer Science graduate, it’s vital to work on independent projects outside of course projects or assigned tasks. This allows you to apply your knowledge and explore new areas and opportunities. Showcasing these projects in a digital portfolio provides a visual and tangible representation of your skills and growth. Emphasizing your attention to clean coding and documentation reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. The field is vast and rapidly evolving, so stay curious, keep learning, and enjoy your professional journey. Avoid getting caught up in fleeting trends. Understanding the difference between work, job, and career is crucial; find work and jobs that contribute to your long-term career aspirations while steadily maintaining your focus on your career goals. In addition, being aware of the organization’s environment and culture at the workplace you intend to work at is important. Familiarize yourself with workplace methodologies like Agile, Just-In-Time (JIT), DevOps, Scrum, Kanban, Lean, Feature-Driven Development (FDD), Extreme Programming (XP), Rapid Application Development (RAD), and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) (to name a few). Each organization will have its unique blend of these elements, and knowing what works best for you will help you thrive in your chosen career path. Remember, the key to success in this dynamic field is continuous learning and adaptation.
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Sridhar Ramachandran: To optimize your earning potential in the field of Computer Science, it’s important to establish a solid educational foundation and master widely-used programming languages and technologies. Internships offer invaluable hands-on experience, and obtaining industrial certifications in specialized areas can significantly increase your marketability. Cultivating a robust professional network and honing your salary negotiation skills are also key. It’s important to stay updated with the latest technological advancements, salary trends, and consider focusing on a niche area in high demand. From the outset of your career conversations, it’s beneficial to communicate clear salary expectations. Conduct thorough research on the current market rates for the role you’re targeting to ensure your expectations are realistic. Understanding your worth in the market is crucial, and you should aim for a salary that not only reflects your skills and experience but also keeps you motivated and invested in your work. Remember, while salary is a significant factor, aspects like work-life balance and job satisfaction also play a vital role in your overall career satisfaction. Aim for a win-win salary negotiation where both you and your employer feel the compensation is fair and equitable.
What will help Software Engineers Senior In Quality increase their earning potential?
Dr. Sridhar Ramachandran: The field of Computer Science is a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape. Over the next 3-5 years, several skills will gain prominence. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will be indispensable due to the surge in data generation. Cybersecurity will become critical as our reliance on digital systems intensifies, and it will be everyone’s prerogative to ensure the security of their digital assets. Essential cybersecurity skills will include understanding of network security, proficiency in security software tools, knowledge of threat and vulnerability assessment, and the ability to implement incident response and recovery plans. Proficiency in Cloud Computing platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure will be sought after as businesses increasingly transition to the cloud. Data Science and Analytics will continue to be pivotal for data-driven decision making. Quantum Computing, though nascent, holds the potential to revolutionize the field. Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving will be vital in managing complex, interdisciplinary projects. In this dynamic field, employees who know how to learn, unlearn, and relearn will have a competitive advantage. This is particularly true with the emerging importance for AI programming languages like Julia, Swift for TensorFlow, and Rust.
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kin Chung Kwan: We are in an Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. AI development will continue to be a global priority and dominate the tech landscape in the next few years. For computer scientists seeking career progression, gaining a comprehensive understanding of AI is crucial. Furthermore, understanding limitations, ethical considerations, safety and security measures associated with AI is an important responsibility that every computer scientist should be aware of.
Junping Sun Ph.D.
ProfessorNova Southeastern University
Computer Software And Media Applications
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Junping Sun Ph.D.: Computer Science and its applications in various fields are very dynamic and constantly evolving, and anyone in the fields needs to prepare to be adaptive by lifelong learning.
What will help Software Engineers Senior In Quality increase their earning potential?
Jonathan Aldrich: Be open to new experiences and focus on learning from them. A degree in computing gives you a foundation but there will be new challenges in every job; always be thinking about what you can do to become more effective at your tasks.
What general advice would you give to a Software Engineer Senior In Quality?
Holger Findling: Most companies have a fixed range in salary for new hires. There is very limited space to negotiate a higher pay. It used to be a standard practice not to stay more than three years with a company because salary increases are associated with labor grade ranges. A larger salary increase can be realized by moving to a different company. Typically, 5% increase vs 3% salary increase. However, a programmer needs to continue studying in the field of interest. Earn a master's degree. Be the best you can be!
What will help Software Engineers Senior In Quality increase their earning potential?
Holger Findling: Technologies are changing very fast, and you must change with it. Don't be rigid. AI is going to increase in the next five years, and the demand for programmers will be high. You would have to take courses studying AI concepts. Bio-Medical fields and Biometrics will be expanding in capabilities and these fields will need a lot of programmers. Take some additional courses, for example Biology and Chemistry.
Dan Tappan
Eastern Washington University
Computer Software And Media Applications
What general advice would you give to a Software Engineer Senior In Quality?
Dan Tappan: As much as possible, become a subject matter expert in the domain you're working in. The biggest problems we have are in not understanding the customer's problem and not understanding the customer's problem domain. Neither side is conversant in the other's world. We can't expect the customer to learn software development, so we have to learn about their world to bridge this gap.
David Ostrowski
Northwestern University
Information Science/Studies
What general advice would you give to a Software Engineer Senior In Quality?
David Ostrowski: Create value in your position, become an expert in a few key areas to maximize value, concentrate on deep skill sets within a specific application domain, innovate and push the limits of technology.
What general advice would you give to a Software Engineer Senior In Quality?
Dale Dzielski MBA, CMA®, PMP®, SAFe® 4 Agilist: Be prepared for a lifelong learning experience; it just begins now. Be confident in what you know but open to learn more because you will.
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dale Dzielski MBA, CMA®, PMP®, SAFe® 4 Agilist: Enjoying your job is the most important thing for success and longevity.
Smaller businesses usually will pay more but offer the potential to move up as the company grows. Big payoffs can come if the small company that you help to grow sells off to a larger company a few years down the road. You don't have to wait years as this can happen in today's fast pass IT industry in 2-5 years.
Earn a Master's degree such as the WVU Online Master of Science in Software Engineering we offer, ranked #13 in US News, or the MS in Computer Science we offer on campus in beautiful Morgantown, West Virginia. (sorry, I had to put in a plug for our programs) If you don't have the graduate degree when you begin, start as soon as possible as most employers offer some employee benefit, paying for some or for the entire degree.
What will help Software Engineers Senior In Quality increase their earning potential?
Dale Dzielski MBA, CMA®, PMP®, SAFe® 4 Agilist: Gain knowledge in Statistics, Data Analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence as well as understanding of Agile Methodology, architecture and design principles/concepts, and development tools such as Jira and GitHub. These will continue to grow in importance to your career. Also, keep watching for disruptive technologies. These will change the way we live and perform our jobs such as the impact AI has already had. I can't name them now because they haven't been innovated or named yet. In fact, you may become a part of doing so.
What general advice would you give to a Software Engineer Senior In Quality?
Jacob Schrum: When it comes to any technology-based field, it is extremely important to be able to learn new things. The tools that today's graduates end up using down the line probably don't exist yet, but there are still foundational skills that are important for graduates to have. The Southwestern University Computer Science program teaches students the core knowledge in data structures, algorithms, programming languages, and more that they need to succeed in various careers related to computer science, but we also give them the chance to do meaningful project-based work that sets them up for career success. This is especially true in the CS Capstone course, which involves meeting with a real-world client, discussing their needs, and then engineering a software solution to meet those needs. This experience allows students to engage with modern tools in an applied context, and requires them to develop the soft skills of communication and negotiation to satisfy the needs of their client.
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jacob Schrum: Generative AI is obviously affecting many industries. Although these systems can write code, this will not eliminate the need for skilled coders and problem solvers. However, those entering the field now can use generative AI systems to quickly write formulaic boiler-plate code, which will give them more time to focus on real problem solving. Systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can also serve as interactive troubleshooting tools that can be more effective than searching the web for a specific answer to a very obscure problem. Still, there is ultimately no substitute for having the actual skills to do these tasks on your own. These systems are improving, but they don't get everything right, and they have a major problem with knowing when they are wrong. Furthermore, certain companies and industries don't want their proprietary code disclosed to companies that own these AI systems, and thus do not allow employees to use them. I'll also note that skills not just in using AI systems, but in creating them will be in high demand. Granted, only a few big companies realistically have the kinds of resources to create the models behind ChatGPT, etc, but other companies can either use these models, or make their own much smaller scale models. Furthermore, Machine Learning skills were in high-demand even before generative AI hit the scene, so I would recommend focusing on those skills.
What will help Software Engineers Senior In Quality increase their earning potential?
Jacob Schrum: This is definitely not my area of expertise as someone who has mainly been confined to academia for most of his career, but from what I can see, the demand for the skills our students have is still high enough. The main challenge seems to be landing that first job. Once that has been accomplished, it is on the student (now employee) to demonstrate their worth, and keep seeking opportunities to learn and improve. If the company is not giving them the chances for advancement or has a bad working environment, then they should be on the lookout for better opportunities. Granted, there have been some significant layoffs in the tech industry, and that does mean that new graduates entering the market are sometimes in competition with more experienced job candidates. However, the salary expectations of those experienced candidates can make entry-level positions less appealing to them, so there are still opportunities for those entering the field. I suppose this is sort of an unusual way to respond to a question about maximizing salary potential ... I understand that everyone wants to make money, but it is important to be realistic about the job market. Once you have an offer, you can bargain a bit, and you can always be on the lookout for better opportunities, but I think that early on it is a bit more important to gather experience and a steady work record. Ultimately, one will have to weigh the tradeoffs between the opportunities they actually have, and act accordingly.
What will help Software Engineers Senior In Quality increase their earning potential?
Lyle Ford: Computer skills (programming, working effectively with AI, and the like) will be important as the world continues to automate. The ability to design, build, and repair electronic and electromechanical systems will also be important for the same reason.
What general advice would you give to a Software Engineer Senior In Quality?
Aakash Tyagi: (a) Ability to work at the intersection of AI/ML and vital fields like bioengineering, finance, environmental sciences, Cyberphysical systems, etc., (b) Continual learning and adaptability to changing technology landscape, (c) Critical thinking, problem solving in medium to large team structures.
Dr. Ramona Baima
Senior Lecturer of Mathematics & Field Experience SupervisorAurora University
Mathematics
What will help Software Engineers Senior In Quality increase their earning potential?
Dr. Ramona Baima: They can maximize their salary potential by choosing carefully the company they are starting to work for. They should look for companies that offer incentives such as paying for continuing education (such as master degree, certificates), possibility of exchanging ideas with international colleagues, investments within the company (such as 401K and pension). They also should be informed about the actual job hierchacy within the company and the possibilities of advancing their job position.
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Ramona Baima: They can maximize their salary potential by choosing carefully the company they are starting to work for. They should look for companies that offer incentives such as paying for continuing education (such as master degree, certificates), possibility of exchanging ideas with international colleagues, investments within the company (such as 401K and pension). They also should be informed about the actual job hierchacy within the company and the possibilities of advancing their job position.
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ahmed Imteaj PH.D.: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (LLMs): With the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-3 and BERT, skills in natural language processing (NLP), transfer learning, and fine-tuning pre-trained models will become increasingly valuable. LLMs have applications in areas such as text generation, sentiment analysis, and language translation.
Sustainable AI: As concerns about the environmental impact of AI and computing grow, skills in sustainable AI practices, energy-efficient algorithms, and green computing will be in demand. Professionals who can develop AI solutions that minimize energy consumption and carbon footprint will play a crucial role in building a more sustainable future.
Cybersecurity: With the ever-increasing threat landscape and sophisticated cyberattacks, cybersecurity skills will remain critical. In addition to traditional cybersecurity practices, such as network security and encryption, skills in areas such as threat intelligence, incident response, and penetration testing will be in high demand.
Cloud Computing: As more businesses migrate their infrastructure and services to the cloud, skills in cloud computing will continue to be in high demand. Proficiency with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as expertise in areas like serverless computing, containerization, and hybrid cloud architectures, will be valuable for building and managing scalable and resilient cloud-based solutions.
What will help Software Engineers Senior In Quality increase their earning potential?
Ahmed Imteaj PH.D.: Research Salary Trends: Before entering the job market, research salary trends for entry-level positions in your field and location. Websites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and LinkedIn Salary can provide valuable insights into typical salary ranges for different roles.
Acquire In-Demand Skills: Identify in-demand skills and technologies in your field and focus on acquiring them through coursework, certifications, internships, or personal projects. Skills such as machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data science are highly valued and can command higher salaries.
Gain Relevant Experience: Prioritize gaining relevant experience through internships, co-op programs, part-time jobs, or freelance projects. Practical experience can significantly increase your market value and make you more attractive to employers.Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that align with the job requirements. Highlighting your unique qualifications can increase your chances of landing interviews and negotiating a higher salary.
Prepare for Salary Negotiations: Before entering salary negotiations, research the typical salary range for the position and location, considering factors such as cost of living and industry standards. Practice articulating your value proposition and be prepared to negotiate confidently for a salary that reflects your skills, experience, and market value.
Consider Additional Benefits: In addition to salary, consider other benefits and perks offered by employers, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and bonuses. These benefits can add significant value to your overall compensation package.
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Evgenia Smirni: Try to have as many internships as possible as a student. The most important one is the internship of the junior year where typically companies make return offers for a regular position - try to make the most out of it!
Ali Alouani
Professor of ECEWhat Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ali Alouani: Be confident, work hard, and have good communication skill.
What will help Software Engineers Senior In Quality increase their earning potential?
Ali Alouani: Have co-op/internship experience, good GPA, and impress the recruiter.
Rich Maclin
ProfessorUniversity of Minnesota - Duluth
Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications
What general advice would you give to a Software Engineer Senior In Quality?
Rich Maclin: With the emergence of AIs based on large language models one of the obvious skills we are all going to need is to learn how to effectively interact with these systems to produce useful products. These systems can write some code, but adjusting it for your situation is the real skill, and these models can likely be guided to do that. A bit like asking it to write a story and then asking it to rewrite that story. I have heard various names applied to jobs in this area: AI prompt engineer, Generative Design Specialist, AI Trainer, etc. Large Language Models are likely here to stay and will be used to extend human capabilities.
The field continues to place more and more emphasis on adaptability--being handed a perhaps vaguely described problem and working on a team to better define that problem and come up with possible solutions. Students don't always like courses with open-ended requirements specifications (where there isn't a single right answer), but this is the skill companies tell us they are mostly looking for.
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rich Maclin: Maximizing your salary potential when you start probably will follow from being willing to relocate. Beyond that, I suspect soft skills (being able to make presentations, writing well, interacting with people, etc.) are the most useful thing for people looking to maximize that potential. Of course, given the large number of fields computer science touches the maximization process likely depends on what you want to do. And for that matter, I suspect many of our students would say they are looking to do well salary-wise but to be happy and fulfilled by their work as well. This would again go back to the question of what are you looking to do in life, and there are a lot of different answers to that question. At this point, there seem to be more computer jobs (again, if you are willing to relocate) than people to fill them, so salary is likely just one aspect of many for students to consider.
Dr. Jonathan Denning
Associate Professor and Department Co-chairTaylor University
Computer Science
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jonathan Denning: As with most things in this world, CS ideas come and go and return in cycles. Large monolithic systems with dumb terminals get replaced by smart personal devices, but then it will soon switch back to large servers and thin clients, followed by simple back ends with intelligent front ends... What was big about 5--10yrs ago will likely become the next greatest thing in 5yrs. As technology progresses (access to info, memory capacities, processing power, etc.), we will find new ways to apply old techniques, but these are still old techniques. Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence is far from a new thing, having been around for as long as programming has been a thing, but it's a hot topic (again) at the moment. The important skill to hone is in communicating. If you know how to talk with people and to understand their problems, then you will be able to find a solution that is good for them. If you don't know how to work with people, then any solution will fall short of actually solving the problem.
What general advice would you give to a Software Engineer Senior In Quality?
Dr. Jonathan Denning: Ask lots of questions. Don't assume that the company is going to offer you a job with the very best benefits. Ask questions that help you understand what the typical range of pay will be, and what things are they looking for to help make decisions on pay.
John Matta
Associate Professor of CS, SIUESouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Computer And Information Sciences
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Matta: Cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Overall, I would say that technical skills will get you employed, but personal and people skills will keep you there.
Dr. Brandon Chicotsky
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Marketing at the TCU Neeley School of BusinessTexas Christian University
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What Software Engineer Senior In Quality skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Brandon Chicotsky: Continually upskill, and each week (or more often), demo software that helps create efficiencies and accelerations in your workflow. Do this in collaboration with a senior colleague to strengthen your discernments and implementation potential. Be an "all in" professional beyond any one particular strategy at work. Embody the industry, attend conferences, and internalize the insights and language of your categories' thought leaders.
What will help Software Engineers Senior In Quality increase their earning potential?
Dr. Brandon Chicotsky: Prompt engineering will evolve in form, format, and channel. Keep pace and enjoy the constant sandboxing and learning. All the while, remain interpersonally engaged with industry personnel at in-person events. Be a multi-tool professional with technological savvy and interpersonal strengths.