Software developers work longer hours than other professions, with 25% of them working extra time every week. As a software engineer, you can expect to work up to 50 hours per week, but this will vary depending on your job and the business you are with [1].
The hours spent working in the technology field are quite variable. Netflix, for example, does not keep track of the hours worked by its people, yet video game companies do.
Various businesses have varied work ethics and cultures, so it’s vital to keep that in mind when determining if software engineers put in long hours.
When you think of a software engineer, what comes to mind? For many people, the first thing that comes to mind is someone who works long hours. And for good reason – software engineering is a challenging field that often requires working long hours in order to get the job done. But how many hours do software engineers actually work? In this blog post, we will take a look at the average number of hours worked by software engineers and some of the factors that influence how many hours they work.
Do Software Engineers Have To Work Long Hours
Startups And Small Companies
At this moment, there are plenty of software developers available. Start-ups in the growth stage want a lot of their engineers. Silicon Valley “unicorns” need to come up with a viable product before their money runs out. They pique people’s interest by promising them shares in a potentially lucrative firm. This means that you’ll be working more and longer hours as well.
Established small businesses frequently require you to wear several hats at the same time. Because there are so many people working in small groups, you may sometimes not have enough personnel to complete numerous tasks.
Disorganized Companies
Working for a disorganized company can also make you work long hours. A lot of businesses have difficulty adapting to change. They may want to maintain the status quo or stay with an older system that’s no longer effective. As a result, you’ll likely spend more time at work trying to figure things out and keeping everything running smoothly.
In some cases, you might be the only one who knows how a particular system works. This means that if something goes wrong, you’re the only one who can fix it. You may find yourself working late into the night or on weekends to keep everything running smoothly.
A Well-Run Business
On the other hand, you may work for a well-run business that has its act together. In this case, you probably won’t have to work long hours except during crunch times. Your company will likely have systems and processes in place to help you get your job done efficiently.
You’ll probably have enough staff to cover all the necessary tasks. And if something does go wrong, someone else will likely be able to fix it. As a result, you’ll be able to focus on your work and enjoy a good work-life balance.
Passion Projects
Some software engineers work on passion projects in their spare time. They may be working on open-source projects or developing new applications. These activities can often take up a lot of time.
Passion projects are usually voluntary and don’t necessarily have to do with your job. But if you’re passionate about your work, you might find yourself working on them even when you’re not at work.
How Many Hours Does A Software Developer Work A Day?
On average, software developers, including engineers, work around 8 hours a day on average.
A fifth of developers says they work overtime at least once or twice a week, boosting their average daily working time to 8 hours and 40 hours per week.
If project deadlines are approaching or there is a deadline in sight, you can anticipate working more than eight hours per day.
When confronted with a large issue, it might be counterintuitive to turn off your computer for the night. If things start to fall into place, you should continue working and obtaining the solution. It means that if you get involved in an issue late in the day, it’s easy to work later without realizing it.
Some employers only require that software developers work for an extra hour. Many people enjoy their job and want to accomplish certain things before quitting.
There is a good chance you will work at least an hour more each day, especially during peak times.
How Many Hours Do Software Developers Work Per Week
What Labor Laws Say
There are no hard and fast rules about how many hours software developers should work per week. However, most people agree on some general guidelines. For instance, most full-time employees work between 40 and 50 hours per week. And while there isn’t necessarily a limit on how many hours someone can work in a week, most people generally don’t like working more than 60 hours.
There are also labor laws that dictate how many hours employees can work in a week. For instance, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) states that employees must be paid overtime if they work more than 40 hours in a week. So, if a software developer works more than 40 hours in a week, their employer must pay them time-and-a-half for every hour over 40 that they work [2].
The FLSA is just one example of a labor law that can impact how many hours software developers work in a week. There are also state and local laws that may come into play. So, it’s important to check with your employer to see what the rules are where you live and work.
In general, most software developers work between 40 and 60 hours per week. However, there is no hard and fast rule about how many hours they should work.
Cultural Differences
The Japanese, for example, are known for their work ethic and hard effort in everything they do. The Japanese are known for working longer hours, often unpaid, to the point of working up to 80 hours of overtime a month, according to some studies.
That’s not good at all, and the Japanese even came up with the macabre phrase “karoshi” which refers to death caused by overwork.
Nobody wants to see their developers burn out from overwork, but some countries appear eager to put in more time and effort to finish the task.
On the other hand, there are certain countries on the other side of the spectrum that appear to be putting in fewer hours at work.
Type of Company and Service
According to the StackOverflow survey, around 51% of developers work between 40 and 44 hours per week. Around 13 percent work for less than 40 hours each week, while a few work for as little as 30 hours.
Of course, there is a small number of people who work for more than that. It all depends on the kind of job they do and the type of organization they are affiliated with.
So, most developers work around 40 hours each week, which corresponds to labor laws in numerous nations. However, this might vary based on the type of service provided by the developers. Web developers, for example, may work fewer hours than video game developers because their workload is not as demanding.
If a developer works in a supporting role and is responsible for identifying and correcting bugs as they arise, their weeks may be very busy but then be followed by several relaxing weeks while everything is running smoothly.
Some companies pay overtime, while others don’t. Some businesses encourage self-direction and allow their employees to work as much as they want as long as the task is completed; others have strict 9-to-5 schedules.
Different Industries With Different Work Cultures
In general, the technology industry is known for its long hours. Employees are often expected to work more than 40 hours a week and sometimes even on weekends. This is especially true in Silicon Valley, where the pressure to succeed is high and the competition is fierce.
The financial industry is another example of an industry where employees are expected to put in long hours. Investment bankers, for instance, often work 100-hour weeks. They are under a lot of pressure to close deals and meet quotas.
Of course, not all industries have such demanding work cultures. There are plenty of companies that have more relaxed atmospheres and don’t expect their employees to work excessive hours. It all depends on the company’s culture and the industry it’s in.
Stage of Product Development and Upcoming Deadlines
For example, if a company is launching a new product, developers might have to work long hours to get everything done in time.
On the other hand, if a company is maintaining an existing product, the workload might be more predictable and the work hours more reasonable. Developers might even be able to take some time off between projects.
It all depends on the situation and the specific needs of the company at any given time.
Job Position and Responsibilities
Not all software engineering positions are the same. Some roles are more demanding than others. For example, a lead developer who is responsible for managing a team of engineers will probably have to work more hours than a junior developer who is just starting out.
The same is true for developers who have other responsibilities in addition to coding, such as meeting with clients or attending conferences. They might have to travel and work long hours when they’re on the road.
So, it all depends on the job position and the specific responsibilities of each individual engineer.
As you can see, many factors determine how many hours software engineers work. It all depends on the country they’re in, the type of company they work for.
Tips for Efficient Working Hours
Reduce Tiring Meetings
How many hours each week do you invest in meetings? Whatever the answer is, you may certainly reduce it. Don’t waste your employees’ time by making unnecessary phone calls. Only plan meetings when they are really necessary. Spending an entire hour listening to someone else’s progress reports before starting your day isn’t a good way to get started [4].
It is best to avoid meetings altogether if possible. If you can, try to communicate via email or text instead. This will allow your employees to work at their own pace and schedule.
If you must have a meeting, make sure it is short and sweet. Let everyone know what the purpose of the meeting is beforehand so that they can come prepared. And don’t forget to end the meeting on time!
Effective Communication
In order to work efficiently, it is important to communicate effectively. This means being clear and concise in your communication. When you are sending an email, make sure that the subject line is clear and descriptive. This will help the recipient know what the email is about and whether or not they need to read it right away.
When you are writing a document or code, be as specific as possible. Use comments liberally so that others can understand your thought process. And when you are reviewing someone else’s work, give constructive feedback that will help them improve their work in the future.
Avoid Multitasking
Multitasking is one of the biggest enemies of efficiency. When you are trying to do two things at once, you are actually just slowing yourself down. Your brain can only focus on one thing at a time, so when you try to multitask, you are just making yourself less productive.
Sense of Urgency
Set fair expectations and deadlines for the team’s members. Make sure to offer them tough yet pleasant deadlines so that they aren’t rushing around in terror, but rather working steadily and devoting most of their time to completing their tasks when they are due.
How Many Hours Does an Entry-Level Software Engineer Work?
A software engineer with a bachelor’s degree can expect to spend about 8 hours each day on less complicated tasks. Nevertheless, many software engineers willingly work late in the office, absorbing information from seniors and developing a relationship, during their early careers. This is when you’re supposed to take lessons from your elders and improve your theoretical knowledge to practical experience [5].
The workday of an entry-level software engineer is usually spent on these tasks:
- Communicating with the team and clients;
- Writing code;
- Conducting code reviews;
- Fixing bugs;
- Participating in meetings;
As you can see, there is a variety of tasks that an entry-level software engineer may be responsible for on a given day. However, the amount of time spent on each task will vary depending on the project they are working on.
How Many Hours Does a Senior Software Engineer Work?
A senior software engineer works 9 hours a day, 45 hours each week. Senior executives, engineering managers, and product managers have additional responsibilities such as leading the team, overseeing the development, and more, which means they work longer hours.
A junior employee might require assistance with a certain problem on occasion. Alternatively, the product may have an issue that necessitates knowledge in the area. When stakeholders need an update on the project’s status, you’ll be called as well. Over time, overtime is unavoidable in all of these instances.
However, you will also have years of expertise under your belt, including a method to help you simplify this procedure.
FAQ
Do software engineers have free time?
What do you mean by “free time?” If you mean, do we have time outside of work to pursue our own interests, the answer is “yes”. If you mean, do we have time during work hours to goof off and play video games or browse the internet, the answer is “no”.
Software engineering is a field that requires undivided attention and concentration for long periods of time. Even experienced software engineers can make mistakes if they’re tired or distracted. That’s why most companies expect their employees to work eight hours per day, five days per week.
Of course, there are always exceptions. Some companies may require their software engineers to work longer hours on certain days or weeks in order to meet deadlines.
How many hours do software engineers code?
This varies depending on the project, the company, and the software engineer’s individual work style. Some software engineers may code for eight hours straight with no breaks, while others may take more frequent breaks throughout the day. The important thing is that you are able to focus and be productive during your working hours.
Is software engineering stressful?
Like any job, software engineering can be stressful at times. However, it is also a very rewarding career. Seeing your code come to life and knowing that you had a hand in creating something can be a great feeling. If you enjoy problem-solving and working with others, then software engineering may be the right field for you.
Do software engineers get a vacation?
Yes, software engineers get vacation just like any other employee. Most companies offer two to three weeks of paid vacation per year. Working in the software engineering field can be both challenging and rewarding.
Do software engineers work weekends?
No, software engineers do not typically work weekends. However, they may occasionally have to work overtime during the week to meet deadlines.
How many hours a day should I code?
On average, it is recommended to spend 2-4 hours a day programming. However, coding efficiency isn’t defined by the amount of time spent writing or learning codes but rather by whether an individual’s output is consistent over time [6].
Does software engineering get boring?
Like any job, software engineering can sometimes be repetitive or boring. However, most software engineers enjoy the challenge of problem-solving and working with others to create something new.
Why do software developers quit?
There can be many reasons why software developers quit their jobs. Some may find the work too challenging, while others may become bored with the repetitiveness of the job. It is important to find a career that you enjoy and that challenges you mentally and emotionally.
Useful Video: How Many Hours do Software Engineers Work?
References:
- https://developerpitstop.com/do-software-developers-work-long-hours/
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa
- https://intersog.com/blog/how-many-hours-do-software-developers-work/
- https://conquercoding.com/how-many-hours-do-software-engineers-work/
- https://conquercoding.com/how-many-hours-do-software-engineers-work/
- https://websitehurdles.com/how-many-hours-should-i-code-daily