Developers are the backbone of tech companies. These are the people who make sure everything works smoothly. You could say they're the heart and soul of any company's success. Every step of the software development process is done by developers, from planning to coding to testing. They work in one or more programming languages that help them create websites, apps, games, and other software technologies.
Between 2010 and 2017, the median pay for software developers rose from $81k to $97k in the U.S. But how does this compare to other industries? In 2017, Software Developers earned a median salary of $97,000 which is more than twice the national average of $47,030. Tech companies are also boosting their salaries with stock options, bonuses, and perks like free food or Google's famous "20% time."
It's hard to know where your salary ranks when applying for a job in tech because most job sites don't list salaries by company. We compiled data from top tech companies with the highest salaries to give you an idea of what you can expect if you're looking into a new career path in tech.
How much do they make?
All developers are not created equal. Some of them are better than others, and some have more experience. For example, one developer might be able to make $120,000 per year while another might only make $50,000.
It's really about the kind of work that you do. The more complex your work is, the more you'll get paid. This is what you need to know if you want to become a developer:
- The average salary for a developer is $97,000.
- A senior software engineer can make anywhere from $120,000-$175,000 per year
- A senior web developer can make between $80k-$110k+ per year
- An entry-level web developer can make between $50k-$65k+ per year
What is the median salary for a software developer?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median salary for software developers at $97,000 in 2017. Software developers make more than twice the national average and rank among the highest-paid workers in America.
Software developers can find work at a variety of companies and organizations and make a median salary of $97,000. But what does this mean to you? It means that if you're currently earning $45,000 per year as a software developer at a small company, you could easily apply to larger firms with greater earning potential.
Or if you're not currently employed but want to break into the industry, it may be worth considering applying for jobs at these top-paying companies:
- Facebook: Median annual salary is $133,080
- Google: Median annual salary is $128,750
- Amazon: Median annual salary is $117,959
- Apple: Median annual salary is $116,585
What is the most and least you can make as a software developer?
The most you can make in the U.S. with a salary is $180,000 with stock options and $140,000 with no stock options.
The least you can make is $81,000 with no stock options or $120,000 with stock options.
What languages do developers work in?
Developers work in one or more programming languages that help them create websites, apps, games, and other software technologies.
There are many programming languages for developers to choose from. But not all of them are applicable to every situation.
Before you start learning a new language, it's important to understand what your strengths are and where you want to go with your career. Every developer has a specialty. They often specialize in a certain type of programming language or technology.
These are some of the most in-demand programming languages for developers: Java, C#, Python, PHP, Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, C++. If you want to become a developer at a top tech company like Google or Facebook then you need to know these languages!
What do developers work on?
Developers work on the back-end and front-end of projects. The back-end is the less glamorous part of a project where it does the heavy lifting behind the scenes - like data storage and database management - while the front-end is what users see when they interact with the program - like graphics and features.
Different types of developers:
- Front-End Developer: Creates things that users can see on screens - graphics, features, etc.
- Back-End Developer: Creates code that manages data storage and database management for a project
How can I become a developer at a top tech company?
In order to become a developer at a top tech company, you need to start learning the languages they use. If you want to work for Facebook or Google, then you'll need to know Java and JavaScript.
And if you want to work for Apple, then you'll need to have a solid understanding of Objective-C and Swift.
You can also learn the skills necessary by going through a coding bootcamp. There are many great schools that offer short courses in these programming languages. You'll get a crash course in these languages and be prepared for the job market once your class is over.
A lot of developers learn on the job while working at different companies, but this can be difficult because it's hard to find an employer who will let you work on their specific projects while learning on the job. Some employers require that you come in with specific knowledge, like knowing Python syntax before they hire you. It's best if you start learning now so that when it comes time for interviews, your skills are up-to-par and ready!
But knowing the skills needed in the job are not enough, you also need to be prepared for the interview! Fortunately, we can help you in that regard! (check out JudoCoder.com)
Conclusion
The tech industry is booming and pays well. It's also a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. If you're considering the tech industry, you should know that there are many ways to make good money in this field, especially if you work for one of the companies listed above.
You can make anywhere from $80,000 to $180,000 in the tech industry even if you are just starting out (and not to mention the perks and stock options that come along with it!).
So if you are interested in working at top tech, make sure you are prepared for a technical interview.
The good news is, JudoCoder.com provides handpicked selection of all sorts of data structures and algorithm questions, most of these questions have been asked in a real interview!.
I would suggest you create a free account at judocoder.com and start practicing your skills. You will be prepared in no time!..
No matter what you do, make sure you practice! You'll be happy you did when it's time for your interview.
Let me know what do you think? Is this an accurate representation of what you can expect to make at top tech companies? Let me know your comments. I would love to hear what you have to say!
Top comments (6)
Hi, can you clarify the source of the data. Is it all Bureau of Labor Statistics data? Does it only go through 2017? When you say...
... who is we and where is the data compiled from?
Thank you.
Hi scott!
This data is not all from Bureau of Labor Statistics data, we compiled this data from a couple of sources, using publicly available data from online salary websites, such as glassdoor, paysa, levels.fyi, etc
Its us, guys at judocoder.com who compiled the data.
Did you incorporate all levels of software engineer (junior, senior, lead / staff / principal, etc.) into it? Or is it only people with the title "software engineer" alone?
The top 25 companies in the country are nearly all tech companies and they're all hiring at a breakneck pace. In fact, companies often bid against each other to get the best developers on their staff. Some people say that this is a bubble that could burst at any time, but if you look at historical data, it makes more sense that salaries will continue to rise for several years until there are too few developers to hire them all. I will Continue Reading the article in which I will find casino related information.
I learned a lot about the profession from the article. Thank you.
Glad I could help you Gloria! Would you mind becoming a follower :) That will help me too.