Why a Career in Software Development is Secure
Posted March 16th, 2016
If you currently work as a software developer or are preparing for work in the field, you should feel very confident about your career choices. Right now IT is one of the highest-paying and fastest-growing fields in the country, and software developers are right at the front of the pack.
Recent research conducted by CompTIA shows that there are currently around 4.16 million core IT professionals employed in the US alone. That number is predicted to grow by 22 percent over the next four years. The largest percentage of that growth will be in fields dedicated to software development. The least amount will be in computer engineering.
The research goes on to note that there are presently 168,145 employers in the US IT industry. Important to note, however, is that there are a number of IT professionals, software developers included, who work outside the IT industry. Banks, for example, employ thousands of IT professionals but are not categorized at IT employers. That means the job growth will likely be even more robust than the numbers suggest.
A deeper look at the research reveals just how secure software developers are. Systems software developers will see the highest rate of job growth of any type of IT professional with 32 percent by 2020. Applications software developers are also predicted to see growth of 28 percent. In both cases, these professionals are making in the neighborhood of $100,000 per year on average. Considering the rate of job growth, average salaries should rise significantly as well.
All of this points to a bright and bountiful future for software developers. What needs to be remembered, however, is that no one is guaranteed a job. And high paying jobs at prestigious companies will continue to be extremely competitive. Professionals who want to reach the top of the field, work on the most innovative projects, and stay relevant past 2020 and beyond need to take a proactive approach to their career.
That means a few things. First, professional development needs to be a priority. The skills that are relevant today are already starting to lose importance. Picking up new ones will be essential for long-term career success. Second, networking is mandatory. In a short time when there are just shy of a million software developers working in the country, your connections will be a huge asset. Finally, having a career partner to work with will be a huge benefit. Approaching employment in a streamlined way will help smart software developers secure the best jobs.
By all accounts your future is secure. Keep it that way by working with Bayside Solutions.
