Career field
Software Engineering Jobs in the USA
Software engineers design, build, test and maintain the applications and systems that businesses run on, from mobile apps and websites to payment platforms, internal tools and embedded software in cars and medical devices. Employers include tech companies, banks, retailers, hospitals, government agencies and consultancies, so you do not have to work at a household-name tech firm to build a strong career. Common specialties are front-end, back-end, full-stack, mobile, quality assurance and test automation, and platform or infrastructure engineering. Hiring usually involves a recruiter screen, one or more technical interviews covering coding and system design, and a behavioral round. A portfolio of real projects, open-source contributions or a well-explained GitHub repository can matter as much as a degree, especially for career changers and bootcamp graduates. Remote and hybrid roles are common in this field, but competition for fully remote positions is strong, so tailor your resume to each posting's stack.
Updated
Latest software engineering job openings
Common software engineering job titles
Select a title to search current openings.
Skills employers ask for
Skills that appear often in postings for this field. Check each posting for its exact requirements.
- A main language such as JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Java, C# or Go
- Data structures and algorithms
- Git and code review
- REST and GraphQL APIs
- SQL and relational databases
- Automated testing
- System design basics
- Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure or Google Cloud)
- Debugging and reading unfamiliar code
- Writing clear technical documentation
Software Engineering pay: how to check what a job pays
Software pay depends heavily on level, location, company size and equity. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook lists median pay for software developers, and states such as California, Colorado, New York and Washington require pay ranges in job postings, which gives you a real employer-stated range to compare.
We do not publish salary averages of our own. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and our salary negotiation guide.
Software Engineering jobs by city
Explore major US job markets, or search remote openings.
Watch out for job scams
Real employers never charge you to apply. Walk away if you see any of these:
- You are asked to pay for training, equipment, a background check or an application fee.
- They send a check and ask you to buy equipment from their vendor or send part of it back.
- The 'job' is receiving money into your account, or packages at home, and forwarding them.
- You get an offer without a real phone or video interview, often after a chat-only exchange.
Software Engineering jobs: frequently asked questions
Can I get a software engineering job without a computer science degree?
Many employers hire developers from bootcamps, self-taught paths and other degrees, especially for web and mobile roles. You will need to show working projects and pass the same technical interviews. Some employers, including many government and defense roles, still list a degree as a requirement.
What do entry-level software engineer interviews include?
Usually a recruiter call, an online coding assessment or live coding interview, and a behavioral interview. Larger companies may add a system design discussion even for junior roles. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud, not just getting the right answer.
Are remote software engineering jobs still available?
Yes, though many companies now prefer hybrid schedules. Fully remote roles often limit hiring to certain states for tax and legal reasons, so check the location requirement in the posting before applying.
Which programming language should I learn for jobs?
Pick based on the roles you want: JavaScript or TypeScript for web, Python for data and back-end work, Java or C# for many enterprise teams, Swift or Kotlin for mobile. Scan live postings in your target city to see which stacks appear most often.
How can I spot a fake software job offer?
Warning signs include an offer without a technical interview, interviews held only over chat apps, a request to buy equipment from a vendor they name, or a check sent before you start. Verify the recruiter on the company's official careers page.
Job search guides
Plain-English guides for job seekers in the US.
- Spot job scamsLearn the warning signs of fake job offers in the US: fake check and equipment scams, pay-to-train schemes, reshipping and task scams, and how to report them to the FTC and IC3.
- US resume guideA practical guide to the American resume: one or two pages, no photo, the sections recruiters expect, how applicant tracking systems read it, and how to tailor it to each job.
- Interview preparationPrepare for phone, video and in-person interviews in the US: research the employer, answer common and behavioral questions with the STAR method, ask good questions and follow up.
- Salary negotiationHow to research fair pay in the US, answer salary expectation questions, compare total compensation and negotiate a job offer politely, with sample wording.
Free career tools
Browser-based AltFTool tools for resumes, interviews, pay and scam checks. No sign-up.
- Resume MakerBuild a clean, ATS-friendly resume in your browser and export it.
- Cover LetterDraft a cover letter that matches the job you are applying for.
- Interview Question finderPractice common interview questions for your role.
- Career Prompt BuilderBuild AI prompts for resumes, cover letters, interview prep and salary negotiation.
- Job Offer Comparison ToolCompare job offers side by side, including pay and benefits.
- Hourly to Salary CalculatorConvert an hourly wage into weekly, monthly and yearly pay.
- VisaScout: compare visa providersCompare visa service providers, prices and processing times.
- AltFTool Backlinks directoryOur directory of places to list and promote a site or portfolio.