With the growth of the information technology industry, the demand for talented and skilled software developers has increased to a great extent. The software industry has achieved tremendous progress in the US and in Asian countries like India, creating many job opportunities. As a result, the junior and senior level salaries of these professionals continue to show a strong upward trend. Pay Range The salary of software developers largely depends on their years of experience, place of work, educational qualifications, and skills. Though the average salary is quite high as compared to several other professions, the entry-level pay might be low in some regions. The median salary is around USD 72,000 per year according to job market experts. An experienced programmer can earn around USD 60,000 per year. The pay of those having an experience of less than two years can be in the range of USD 35,000 to USD 45,000 per year. Those having an experience of three to five years can earn between USD 45,000 to USD 70,000 per year. Those who have been in the industry for eight to ten years can make between USD 65,000 to USD 90,000 per year. Whereas the senior professionals can earn in the range of USD 100,000 to USD 175,000 or even more. Job Description Software developers do the job of understanding and interpreting technical documents to create software applications. They also update the current tool and ensure that it is working efficiently. Senior developers have to take up the responsibility of monitoring, supervising, and checking the work of their juniors. They have to take care of the needs and requirements of the users while preparing the design. Conducting training sessions for the users, to learn the software are also a part of their duties. They are also responsible for creating test plans and technical specifications. They often work in teams or groups to complete the assigned tasks in time and within budget. Requirements In order to become a software developer, you need to have at least a bachelor's degree in information technology or computer science from a reputed university. Securing admission in such a college would require you to score well in subjects like math, physics, and English in high school. A master's degree in computer science can be the ideal way of entering this field, as this is what top employers generally look for. Initially, you might have to work as a trainee for three to six months before they take you on as a full-time employee. Knowledge of the latest software and programming languages, and having the relevant certifications can be an added advantage while looking for jobs in top firms.