Entry Level Software Engineer Jobs
Last updated: February 1, 2026
50,000++
$91K+
high
Entry
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[01] Hiring momentum
Who's hiring software engineers right now
Companies with software engineering postings in the last 90 days, ranked by how many jobs they posted in the last 30. Posting counts cover all seniority levels, not just entry-level reqs.
Posted 30d counts every job the company listed in the last 30 days across all roles; the surge badge compares its software engineering postings against its own 90-day baseline.
[02] Compensation
Software Engineer salary, level by level
Median pay across 91 companies with reported Software Engineer bands.
Each figure is the median of company-level p50s (base salary and total compensation, USD). Company ladder codes that can't be compared across companies (L4, IC3, ...) are excluded. 4,094 reported data points in total.
[03] Response time
Fastest to respond
Among companies hiring software engineering roles, the fastest median time from application to first recruiter screen — measured from real applications sent through Scoutify.
Medians are company-wide (all roles), so treat them as how quickly each recruiting org moves, not a per-role guarantee.
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Entry level software engineer positions are among the most competitive in tech, with hundreds of applicants per opening. Companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta run structured new grad hiring programs for software engineer roles, but positions at mid-size companies and startups can be equally rewarding with less competition. Scoutify monitors 50,000++ company career pages so you can apply within minutes of a posting going live.
Getting Started as a Software Engineer
What to expect
Entry level software engineer positions typically require 0-2 years of experience. Many companies accept relevant internships, personal projects, or bootcamp experience as qualifications. Starting salaries for junior software engineer roles typically begin around $91K.
New grad programs
Many large tech companies run dedicated new grad hiring cycles for software engineer roles. These programs typically open in late summer or early fall for the following year. Setting up alerts ensures you apply the moment they open.
Stand out as a candidate
For entry level software engineer roles, personal projects and a strong portfolio can matter more than a specific degree. Contributing to open source, building side projects, and demonstrating problem-solving ability will set you apart from other new grads.
Land Your First Software Engineer Job
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