Computer Engineer

Computer Engineer Career Overview

Computer engineers work exclusively on computers and computer-related equipment in software and hardware-software integration. They design, develop and manage devices, programs and systems that are used in computers and networks. With the ongoing global technological revolution driven forward by constant growth and improvements in computers, a personal computer or some aspect of it can be found in countless consumer, commercial, industrial and military applications. This places computer engineers in the critical role of the design and implementation of computer technology to meet these great demands. If you are interested in going into this career, statistics are very reassuring. One specialization of the career, computer software engineers, is projected to grow by 38% over the 2006-2016 decade, the fastest of all occupations. Other specializations include embedded systems, digital logic, digital signal processing, computer architecture and organization, computer networking, database systems and operating systems just to name a few. Regardless of specialization however, computer engineers are in very high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects “computer engineer” to be the fastest growing occupation over the next decade in the US, a phenomenon common with most countries worldwide.

Computer Engineer Training & Education

The standard requirement by most employers for computer engineering jobs is a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, management information systems or information technology. It is therefore mandatory that you pursue a degree in any of those disciplines if you wish to start your career as a computer engineer without much difficulty. In addition to a bachelors, employers also value or require certification which can be earned through a multitude of computer engineering-related programs such as the CompTIA A+/Network+ Service Technician, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet (MCP+I) and the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). Certification as a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) proves to be the most financially rewarding with a median salary of just over $70,000.

Computer Engineer Career & Salary

With over 3 million people in the US employed in computer and mathematical occupations earning an annual income between $60,000 and $120,000, a figure surpassed only by CEOs, doctors and lawyers, computer engineering is definitely a desirable career if you are seeking to improve your salary.

This career choice is also ideal for someone seeking a large salary immediately after graduation. Described as “the most lucrative college career” by Forbes.com, the starting salary of a bachelor degree candidate averaged $51,343 per year which is almost $8,000 more than the starting annual salary of an accountant with a master’s degree or 2 years experience in the Federal Government. By state, computer system engineers earn the most in California with a median salary of just over $70,000 and the least in Florida with a median salary figure of just over $55,000. The highest paid computer engineers work for a company with over 10,000 employees for which there were roughly 23,000 establishments of this size in the US in 2005. In terms of specialization, the highest paid computer engineers are specialized in software publishing and database management, earning a median annual income of $84,450 and about $100,000 respectively.

Where a Computer Engineering Degree Can Take You

Pursuing qualifications beyond a bachelor’s can also greatly increase your earnings potential. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the starting salary of persons holding a master’s degree in computer science averaged $64,200 and a Doctorate in Computer Science should also increase your earnings potential even further. Based on research however, pursuing an advanced degree is not advised if you expect high financial compensation in the short term. A study by the National Research Council in 2000 concluded that someone taking five years to earn a doctorate in computer science, without even having to pay tuition or fees, would need about 50 years to catch up in career earnings with someone who goes to work immediately after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in the field. Doctorate computer engineering programs are however a great opportunity if you are interested in a career in academia and research on cutting edge development. PhD students often get the chance to teach and conduct extensive research on campuses using supercomputers, a chance that not many Computer Engineers in the business world receive.

Characteristics of Computer Engineers

People who will succeed in this career are often mathematically inclined, highly motivated and willing to constantly learn. To stay abreast in the rapidly changing world of technology and computer science, students will have to keep mastering new skills and acquiring new knowledge such as new programming languages, operating systems and hardware innovations. A truly vibrant and ever-changing career, the job of the computer engineer is as rewarding as it is constantly evolving.