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Software Engineering Talent: Supply vs Demand in Washington.

2.42% of US computer science grads come from Washington each year. Discover where most of them come from, and their job prospects. Identify emerging talent hubs, in-demand skills, and salary progression patterns.

Compare Washington with another state
34.4k
Job Listings1.48m national total
3.3k
Graduates137.5k national total
45
Educational Institutions2,022 national total
10.4
Jobs per graduate10.8 national average
39%
Entry level jobs29% national average
$159k
Average Salary$129k national average
We analyzed data from:Graduate data - National Center for Education Statistics (2022)Employment data - Online job listings (2023)Composite Cost of Living - Index Q1 (2024)Population data - US Census Bureau (2022)

Where are Washington computer science grads coming from?

Top cities producing the most CS grads

Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma produced the highest number of CS grads. This represents 61.72% of the total CS grads from Washington.

Uncover other talent hubs with this interactive map.

Curious how this data compares to another state?
Use our comparison tool below.

Top institutions producing the most CS grads

Washington produces 3,302 of CS grads each year.

We've identified the top institutions supplying the highest number of future software engineers. University of Washington-Seattle Campus came out on top, with 1,010 CS grads. This represents 30.59% of total grads in Washington.

Whether you're an employer recruiting rising tech talent or a student planning your academic career, these are definitely the schools to watch.

In-demand skills & job market outlook for Washington.

Top Washington cities with the highest number of job opportunities

Explore the Washington cities with the highest number of software engineering jobs.

48.84% of all job postings in Washington come from Seattle.

Most in-demand technical skills

Learning in-demand programming languages and technologies is essential for staying ahead of the curve in a competitive job market.

Here are the most sought-after skills in Washington. Java was most in-demand, mentioned in 15.8% of the software engineering job postings we analyzed.

Average salary and job availability by education level

We analyzed 34,269 job postings in Washington.

Here's an overview of how many jobs are available at each education level, and the mean salary.

Salaries by seniority in Washington

Earning potential is an essential factor to consider when laying the groundwork for a career in software engineering.

This chart shows the median salaries for software engineers at different stages of their career.

While an entry-level software engineer in Washington can expect to earn $114,920, that figure jumps to $195,260 for senior tech talent, representing a 69.9% increase.

Additional info about Washington's talent landscape.

  • AI Powerhouse: Beyond the well-known tech giants, Washington has become a hotspot for artificial intelligence research and development. Software engineers in the state are invited to push the boundaries of machine learning. They find themselves working on everything from advanced natural language processing to AI-driven climate modeling.
  • Quantum Computing Frontier: Washington is emerging as a leader in quantum computing research. With major investments from both public and private sectors, software developers have the rare opportunity to work on quantum algorithms and applications that could revolutionize computing as we know it.
  • Green Tech Innovation: Leveraging its reputation for environmental consciousness, Washington is at the forefront of green technology. Software engineers can develop sophisticated carbon tracking systems, smart grid technologies, and AI-powered solutions for sustainable urban planning.
  • Gaming Mecca: Home to several major game development studios, Washington offers a thriving ecosystem for game developers. From AAA titles to indie games, software engineers can dive into cutting-edge graphics engines, procedural content generation, and immersive VR experiences.
  • Maritime Tech Hub: Capitalizing on its coastal location, Washington is pioneering maritime technology. Software professionals can work on advanced navigation systems, autonomous shipping solutions, and oceanographic data analysis tools, blending traditional maritime industries with cutting-edge tech.

Compare Washington with another state.

Where are the most promising opportunities? Find out how different hubs compare in terms of job availability, cost of living, and earning potential.

*Calculated based on US average of 100. Numbers higher than 100 relate to a higher cost of living.

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