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The job I will be researching is software engineer.

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The range in salary is from 60k to 123k .

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The average salary for a Software Engineer is $83,576. Visit PayScale to research software engineer salaries by city, experience, skill, employer and more.

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Q3) Where is the best place to live and do this job? 

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Q3) Where is the best place to live and do this job? 

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One place I could live in is California.

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The number of software engineers grows year by year and so does the demand for their skills and knowledge. To be a software engineer today means having a well-paid job, working on interesting projects, and choosing among career opportunities other people can hardly dream about. Given this, there is no wonder why Forbes named this profession the second most popular among recent college grads.

With this in mind, we decided to round up the list of American cities with the best career opportunities for software engineers. Since we've worked on similar city ratings for musicians, entrepreneurs, and tech professionals before, we now have a tried and true algorithm helping us find out the best locations for anyone. So sit down comfortably and let us kick-start your search for a perfect place to build your career. Remove all the guesswork and get ready to meet the best city for software developers.

If you're surprised to see Seattle topping the list, you need to know this city is called an American tech mecca of tomorrow. It didn't happen overnight though. The trend has been building for decades, and now this city is considered a great place to search for jobs in tech. One of the major advantages of Seattle's tech scene is that the local ecosystem is not reliant on startups only, which helps local professionals achieve success and keep it stable in a long run. This stability together with high salaries and reasonable cost of living make Seattle the best city for web developers.

It seems like all people fall into two camps - those who admit that San Jose is a great alternative to San Francisco and those who refuse to believe it's true. Over the last 10 years, the number of tech jobs in the city has grown by almost 80 percent. As for today, tech jobs make up 14.1% of all jobs in the city, which is almost fivefold compared to the national average rates. The cost of living in San Jose is still high, but not as cosmic as in its bigger brother San Francisco.

It would be wrong not to mention the world-recognized tech hub of the US. Despite reasonable critique, thousands of tech professionals from all around the world are flocking to the city every year. Head over to San Francisco to build a mind-blowing career of a software engineer, but get ready to pay a fortune for housing. After all, it is America's most expensive city to settle down in.

America's 11th best-paying city for software engineers, Dallas is a wonderful place to be. Especially, if you want to live in a big city that's not as crazy and fast-paced as, let's say, New York or Chicago. Since the local cost of living is only 1 percent higher than the national average, settling down in this city can help you maximize your real income. According to experts, Dallas is poised to outrun San Francisco as a top tech talent market in the years to come.

At first glance, Phoenix might seem like a weird choice for software engineers looking for a great career in tech. But if you take a closer look, you'll realize this place has got a fair amount of advantages. To begin with, Phoenix is one of top 25 best-paying cities for software engineers. What's more, local rental prices are 3 times lower than in San Francisco and two times lower than in San Jose. Local cost of living is almost 2 percent below the national average. Now add to that warm dry climate offering you 211 sunny days per year, and here it is: a wonderful place to live, work, and be happy.

To cut a long story short, software engineer's salary in Denver is worth way more than a salary in Bay Area. To be more specific, Denver gets the 2nd place on the list of best-paying cities considering salaries that are adjusted to a cost of living. Local prices for housing, transportation, and groceries are reasonable, which means you won't have to spend the biggest part of your income on necessities. No wonder why IT companies are flocking to Denver for good.

Salt Lake City, UT

If none of the above-mentioned cities made your heart beat faster, Salt Lake City will correct this mistake. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and filled with an atmosphere of mystery (thank you Mormon population), Salt Lake City is more than just a pretty face. In fact, it is one of the country's greatest locations for tech professionals in general and software engineers in particular.

There is a mountain of evidence that the following years will change the geography of a tech industry in the US. As an increasing amount of companies begin to realize the absurdity of paying thousands for what normally costs hundreds, global relocation turns into a trend. Hope this article featuring best US cities for software engineers helped you in your deliberations and now you're ready to buy a one-way ticket to one of the cities from the list.

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Best Places to Live: 7 Cities That are Best for Software Engineers

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The number of software engineers grows year by year and so does the demand for their skills and knowledge. To be a software engineer today means having a well-paid job, working on interesting projects, and choosing among career opportunities other people can hardly dream about.

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One skill you need to be a software engineer is

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Software engineers are responsible for developing, designing, testing, writing, modifying, and debugging software based off specific requirements. It can be a flexible position, with contracting and freelancing opportunities commonly available. Companies might bring you on short-term to solve an immediate issue or create a specific program.

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Q5) What are the best colleges that will help you prepare for this job? 

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Q5) What are the best colleges that will help you prepare for this job? 

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One school I could attend is Milwaukee School of Engineering.

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The schools to be reviewed are highly regarded for their engineering programs, several having received high rankings. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study is usually required to obtain a position as a software engineer. Higher-level management positions may require a graduate degree. Undergraduate programs in software engineering can be found at the four schools profiled: the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Michigan Technological University, and California Polytechnic State University have received high rankings from U.S. News & World Report for the quality of their engineering programs. The Florida Institute of Technology and California Polytechnic State University offer graduate degrees in the field.

Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: This school possesses one of the first accredited software engineering programs in the U.S. The Milwaukee School of Engineering was ranked 10th on U.S. News & World Report's list of schools with the best undergraduate engineering programs for 2017. The school's Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering program has been approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, one of the first four programs in the U.S. to receive this distinction. Once enrolled, students learn how to develop video games, mobile applications and network systems for major organizations. At this time, the Milwaukee School of Engineering does not offer a graduate program in software engineering.

Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan: This school offers different doctoral programs in computer science. Michigan Technological University is a public school that tied for 63rd for its undergraduate engineering programs, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2017. Through the university's Department of Computer Science, students can earn a B.S. in Software Engineering. Learning outcomes include the ability to operate large-scale computer software networks for defense systems and businesses. While the university does not offer graduate degrees specifically in software engineering, students can pursue a Master of Science or a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science.

Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida: This school is home to the F.W. Olin Engineering Complex. The Florida Institute of Technology, also referred to as Florida Tech, is a private research school whose program options include both a B.S. and a Master of Science in Software Engineering. Students in the undergraduate program become familiar with emerging technologies while studying computer science and mathematical principles. They can also learn how to program the different types of computer software used in distributed and network operating systems. Florida Tech also offers a unique co-op program that provides students with Microsoft-branded products for use in their professional projects.

California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California: This university is ranked #1 in best public schools for 2017 by U.S. News & World Report. This public institution tied for 5th place in best undergraduate engineering programs, as noted by U.S. News & World Report for 2017. A bachelor's degree is available in software engineering. Coursework develops technical skills and prepares students to handle large-scale systems and work in a team-oriented environment. A master's degree is also offered in general computer science, which covers a range of relevant subjects. A dual degree may also be earned.

The following schools also have good engineering programs.

Software engineering, a field not common to most schools, is offered in degree programs from the high-status schools discussed. Undergraduate and/or graduate degrees may be available.

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The schools to be reviewed are highly regarded for their engineering programs, several having received high rankings. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study is usually required to obtain a position as a software engineer. Higher-level management positions may require a graduate degree.

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Q8)What are the negative aspects of this job? 

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Q8)What are the negative aspects of this job? 

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Some of the negative aspects of this job are the hours they work and the amount of stress.

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Software engineers are well-paid for the highly technical work that they do.

Computer software engineers write computer programs that instruct computers what to do. Software engineers may be application or system developers. Application developers write software that will be used by end users, such as accounting and customer management systems. System software developers write operating systems or system utilities that are primarily used by technicians or computers themselves. The specialty carries its own set of stresses, but can be very rewarding monetarily as well as in pride of accomplishment.

Pay

Software engineering pays well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of 2009, the average annual salary of a systems software engineer was $96,620. As of 2008, the average annual salary of an applications developer was $87,900. Both tracks are expected to grow faster than the average for all U.S. jobs between 2008 and 2018, with an estimated growth rate of about 32 percent. Software engineering was listed by "U.S. News & World Report" as one of the best careers for 2010.

Work Environment

The typical work environment is clean and well lighted. Many software engineers work in cubicle arrangements, the typical arrangement for software developers of all kinds. Some software engineers leave the work environment to go out in a support role on customer calls. Some companies provide diversions such as game rooms to relieve some of the stress that accompanies software development.

Stress

Software engineering can be very stressful, especially when tight deadlines are involved, which is often. Engineers also meet with demanding users and must be able to communicate reasonably and personably with these difficult customers. Debugging programs brings its own level of stress when problems are difficult to find and fix, which can delay the timely implementation of software.

Hours

Most software engineers work 40-hour work weeks, typically from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional project demands may require overtime and weekend work. Since most engineers are salaried, it is a con that there is typically no extra pay for the extra work. On the other side of this coin, many companies offer compensatory time off when the project is done.

Training

Software engineers must stay on the cutting edge of technology in order to keep their skills relevant and up to date. This is both a pro and a con. It is a con in that it sometimes requires time off the clock to stay current, and a pro in that most companies pay for formal training oriented toward new technology and skills.

About the Author

Alan Hughes has more than 30 years of experience in IT including mainframes, programming, client/server, networks, project management, security, disaster recovery, information systems and hardware. He holds a master's degree in applied computer science and several certifications. He currently teaches information technology at the university level.

Photo Credits

Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images

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Pros & Cons of a Computer Software Engineer

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Computer software engineers write computer programs that instruct computers what to do. Software engineers may be application or system developers. Application developers write software that will be used by end users, such as accounting and customer management systems. System software developers write operating ...

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Q6) What computer or technological skills do you need for this?

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Q6) What computer or technological skills do you need for this?

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Two skills I might need for software engineering I'll need are Microsoft Office and
Spreadsheets

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Q7) What are the positive aspects of this job?

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Q7) What are the positive aspects of this job?

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Some of the positives of being a software engineer are pay and work environment.

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Software engineers are well-paid for the highly technical work that they do.

Computer software engineers write computer programs that instruct computers what to do. Software engineers may be application or system developers. Application developers write software that will be used by end users, such as accounting and customer management systems. System software developers write operating systems or system utilities that are primarily used by technicians or computers themselves. The specialty carries its own set of stresses, but can be very rewarding monetarily as well as in pride of accomplishment.

Pay

Software engineering pays well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of 2009, the average annual salary of a systems software engineer was $96,620. As of 2008, the average annual salary of an applications developer was $87,900. Both tracks are expected to grow faster than the average for all U.S. jobs between 2008 and 2018, with an estimated growth rate of about 32 percent. Software engineering was listed by "U.S. News & World Report" as one of the best careers for 2010.

Work Environment

The typical work environment is clean and well lighted. Many software engineers work in cubicle arrangements, the typical arrangement for software developers of all kinds. Some software engineers leave the work environment to go out in a support role on customer calls. Some companies provide diversions such as game rooms to relieve some of the stress that accompanies software development.

Stress

Software engineering can be very stressful, especially when tight deadlines are involved, which is often. Engineers also meet with demanding users and must be able to communicate reasonably and personably with these difficult customers. Debugging programs brings its own level of stress when problems are difficult to find and fix, which can delay the timely implementation of software.

Hours

Most software engineers work 40-hour work weeks, typically from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional project demands may require overtime and weekend work. Since most engineers are salaried, it is a con that there is typically no extra pay for the extra work. On the other side of this coin, many companies offer compensatory time off when the project is done.

Training

Software engineers must stay on the cutting edge of technology in order to keep their skills relevant and up to date. This is both a pro and a con. It is a con in that it sometimes requires time off the clock to stay current, and a pro in that most companies pay for formal training oriented toward new technology and skills.

About the Author

Alan Hughes has more than 30 years of experience in IT including mainframes, programming, client/server, networks, project management, security, disaster recovery, information systems and hardware. He holds a master's degree in applied computer science and several certifications. He currently teaches information technology at the university level.

Photo Credits

Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Pros & Cons of a Computer Software Engineer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Computer software engineers write computer programs that instruct computers what to do. Software engineers may be application or system developers. Application developers write software that will be used by end users, such as accounting and customer management systems. System software developers write operating ...