Despite holding the global record for the highest number of active software engineers, the United States supremacy is shifting due to changes in the worldwide labour landscape. The IT sector is blowing up globally, bringing in many top-notch experts worldwide. Recent reports show a total global software engineer count of approximately 26.9 million, projected to rise to 28.7 million by 2024. Yet, here's the burning question: How many software engineers currently operate within the United States? Let's take a look at the statistics!
Despite holding the global record for the highest number of active software engineers, the United States supremacy is shifting due to changes in the worldwide labour landscape.
The IT sector is blowing up globally, bringing in many top-notch experts worldwide. Recent reports show a total global software engineer count of approximately 26.9 million, projected to rise to 28.7 million by 2024.
Yet, here's the burning question: How many software engineers currently operate within the United States? Let's take a look at the statistics!
In the global developer demographic study, the US ranks top with the highest number of software developers, at over 4.4 million. Around 680,000 specialise as software engineers, adept in design, development, maintenance, testing, and computer science assessment.
The Washington DC region leads with the highest concentration of engineers (6.46%), followed by Virginia (4.43%) and Maryland (4.41%). While specific engineering roles, such as computer programmers, have decreased by 60% since 2000, wages have risen significantly by 47%.
The growing need for software engineers is caused by various factors, such as fast-paced technological advancements and the requirement to refresh code because it doesn't last forever. But let’s take a closer look at some of the key reasons why the demand for developers is at an all-time high:
The question is: How many software engineers in the US can fulfil this growing need?
The software engineering scene is experiencing a diversity drought, particularly in the US and the broader Western context. The tech industry is having trouble attracting Generation Z, yet it is striking a chord more with 30 to 34-year-olds.
Plus, here's the scoop on gender in software: it's not quite level. A massive 78% of those software professionals are men, while the women? They're holding it down at 22%.
This whole inconsistency situation gets even more complicated when fewer than 30,000 students complete their Computer Science degrees each year. We're looking at a solid eight years of work just to start catching up with the current job demand.
The software engineering field thrives, with an 87% employment rate. Yet, a significant gap exists between the supply of engineers and job demand, as evident from the 1,365,500 current job openings.
Around 21% of software developers are expected to secure jobs in the next decade. However, the challenge lies in the 35-day average hiring period, which is incongruent with the fast-paced needs of modern organisations.
The solution? Teaming up with offshore partners. This move tackles the global engineer shortage and the slow hiring process.
Here's the scoop: 78% of software engineers switch jobs for higher pay, plus they want fresh experiences, balance, and new challenges. And guess what? They've got an edge in this job market.
Bottom line? Software engineers have the upper hand, but there are challenges to face.
We hope this post helped you determine how many software engineers are in the US and if they fit your needs. Going offshore could be the best option if there's still a gap.
Remember to find a partner who gets your organisation’s values and goals. Check out case studies and feedback to ensure they're a good match. And before you seal the deal, make sure they can pick out candidates, vouch for technical skills, and keep the developers engaged.
Need help with offshore engineering? Still trying to figure out where to start? Feel free to contact The Scalers. Their experienced pros are ready to guide you to your goals!
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