Salary for Entry-level / Junior Software Development Engineer in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average entry-level / junior Software Development Engineer salary lies between USD 86,260 and USD 173,040 in the United States. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 10, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Entry-level / Junior Software Development Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with entry-level / junior Software Development Engineer job listings are Python, Engineering and Machine Learning. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Python | 34 jobs Engineering | 31 jobs Machine Learning | 30 jobs Computer Science | 30 jobs Agile | 19 jobs Java | 16 jobs Data Analytics | 13 jobs Scrum | 12 jobs Architecture | 12 jobs Mathematics | 12 jobs Linux | 11 jobs OOP | 11 jobs AWS | 10 jobs Deep Learning | 9 jobs SQL | 9 jobs SAS | 9 jobs Testing | 8 jobs RDBMS | 8 jobs Research | 7 jobs Data Mining | 6 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Entry-level / Junior Software Development Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with entry-level / junior Software Development Engineer job listings are Career development, Startup environment and Equity / stock options. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 31 jobs Startup environment | 16 jobs Equity / stock options | 9 jobs Health care | 7 jobs Medical leave | 6 jobs Competitive pay | 5 jobs Relocation support | 4 jobs Salary bonus | 4 jobs Insurance | 3 jobs 401(k) matching | 2 jobs Parental leave | 2 jobs Flex vacation | 2 jobs Wellness | 1 jobs Team events | 1 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary for an entry-level or junior software development engineer in AI/ML/Data Science typically consists of a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is the fixed component and usually makes up the majority of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company’s policy and individual performance, often ranging from 5% to 15% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, like stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can be a significant part of the compensation, especially in regions like Silicon Valley. The composition can also vary by industry, with finance and tech sectors often offering higher bonuses and equity compared to other industries.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from an entry-level position, consider the following steps:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously upgrade your technical skills, especially in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or big data technologies.
• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's degree or specialized certifications can make you more competitive.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network through industry conferences, meetups, and online platforms like LinkedIn.
• Performance Excellence: Consistently exceed performance expectations to position yourself for promotions and raises.
• Switching Companies: Sometimes, moving to a new company can result in a significant salary increase, especially if you have gained valuable experience and skills.

Educational Requirements

Most entry-level positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field. Some companies may prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially for roles that require more specialized knowledge. A strong foundation in programming, algorithms, and data structures is essential, along with coursework in machine learning and data analysis.

Helpful Certifications

While not always required, certain certifications can enhance your resume and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Some valuable certifications include:

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

These certifications can help validate your skills and knowledge in specific tools and platforms used in the industry.

Experience Requirements

For entry-level roles, employers typically look for candidates with some practical experience, which can be gained through internships, co-op programs, or personal projects. Experience with programming languages like Python or R, familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, and hands-on experience with data analysis and visualization tools are often expected. Demonstrating experience through a portfolio of projects or contributions to open-source projects can be advantageous.

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