Software engineer salary
BLS occupation: Software Developers · Computers and math · data for May 2025
Median salary $135,980 a year, US
Median hourly pay $65.38 an hour
Middle half earn $105,210–$171,980 25th to 75th percentile
Software engineers employed 1,687,890 +10.2% projected by 2035
How much does a software engineer make?
- The median software engineer salary in the US is $135,980 a year ($65.38 an hour): half of the 1,687,890 software engineers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $148,100.
- The middle half earn between $105,210 and $171,980. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $82,460 and the top 10% more than $214,670.
- That is 2.7 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays software engineers the most (median $174,410), followed by Washington ($166,540) and New York ($166,180). Mississippi pays the least ($95,330).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in California, where the median is worth $157,523 in typical US prices, then Massachusetts and Washington.
- In 370 of the 371 metro areas with data, the median software engineer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of software engineers to grow 10.2% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 95,300 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what software engineers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Software engineer salary range
Half of software engineers earn between $105,210 and $171,980 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $82,460
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $105,210
Median Yearly pay: $135,980
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $171,980
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $214,670
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $82,460 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $105,210 |
| Median | $135,980 |
| Top 25% earn over | $171,980 |
| Top 10% earn over | $214,670 |
Software engineer salary by state
California pays software engineers the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($135,980), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $174,410 median |
| Washington | $166,540 median |
| New York | $166,180 median |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 median |
| Oregon | $142,720 median |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 median |
| Maryland | $138,680 median |
| Colorado | $138,390 median |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 median |
| Virginia | $136,460 median |
| New Jersey | $135,940 median |
| North Carolina | $134,710 median |
| Connecticut | $134,120 median |
| Delaware | $133,020 median |
| Texas | $132,150 median |
| Illinois | $132,110 median |
| Idaho | $131,590 median |
| Georgia | $131,010 median |
| Florida | $130,980 median |
| Rhode Island | $130,590 median |
| Minnesota | $130,050 median |
| Arizona | $129,690 median |
| South Carolina | $129,450 median |
| Nevada | $128,810 median |
| Utah | $128,810 median |
| Pennsylvania | $126,550 median |
| Missouri | $126,120 median |
| Michigan | $125,570 median |
| Vermont | $125,280 median |
| New Mexico | $124,520 median |
| Hawaii | $124,040 median |
| Maine | $123,120 median |
| Wisconsin | $122,660 median |
| Alabama | $122,540 median |
| Tennessee | $122,430 median |
| Montana | $121,990 median |
| West Virginia | $121,000 median |
| Oklahoma | $118,100 median |
| Wyoming | $115,170 median |
| Iowa | $114,890 median |
| Ohio | $114,090 median |
| Kansas | $113,420 median |
| Nebraska | $110,900 median |
| Kentucky | $109,010 median |
| Indiana | $105,920 median |
| North Dakota | $105,600 median |
| Arkansas | $104,490 median |
| Louisiana | $102,800 median |
| South Dakota | $96,310 median |
| Mississippi | $95,330 median |
Where software engineer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Software engineers' pay goes furthest in California once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| California | $157,523 |
| Massachusetts | $156,217 |
| Washington | $155,626 |
| New York | $153,983 |
| North Carolina | $142,813 |
| Missouri | $138,873 |
| South Carolina | $138,081 |
| Oregon | $138,079 |
| Alabama | $137,960 |
| Idaho | $137,799 |
Software engineer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $174,410 | $83.85 | $105,060 | $272,670 | 284,390 | $157,523 |
| Washington | $166,540 | $80.07 | $96,810 | $255,350 | 107,030 | $155,626 |
| New York | $166,180 | $79.89 | $97,430 | $224,590 | 113,510 | $153,983 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 | $79.43 | $102,810 | $213,970 | 48,190 | $156,217 |
| Oregon | $142,720 | $68.62 | $83,070 | $213,540 | 21,830 | $138,079 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 | $67.17 | $92,510 | $205,370 | 10,840 | $134,133 |
| Maryland | $138,680 | $66.67 | $87,690 | $222,610 | 31,350 | $132,128 |
| Colorado | $138,390 | $66.53 | $96,480 | $213,010 | 43,320 | $134,291 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 | $65.81 | $85,140 | $197,000 | 6,120 | $124,548 |
| Virginia | $136,460 | $65.61 | $83,350 | $211,930 | 88,280 | $134,970 |
| New Jersey | $135,940 | $65.36 | $84,880 | $207,200 | 51,570 | $124,939 |
| North Carolina | $134,710 | $64.76 | $83,840 | $179,310 | 58,470 | $142,813 |
| Connecticut | $134,120 | $64.48 | $85,930 | $205,160 | 13,660 | $129,447 |
| Delaware | $133,020 | $63.95 | $96,620 | $174,390 | 3,380 | $133,276 |
| Texas | $132,150 | $63.53 | $82,600 | $183,680 | 163,880 | $136,157 |
| Illinois | $132,110 | $63.51 | $80,980 | $194,740 | 56,310 | $132,166 |
| Idaho | $131,590 | $63.26 | $71,030 | $178,980 | 5,750 | $137,799 |
| Georgia | $131,010 | $62.99 | $80,110 | $176,000 | 49,700 | $136,054 |
| Florida | $130,980 | $62.97 | $80,050 | $204,400 | 87,890 | $126,656 |
| Rhode Island | $130,590 | $62.78 | $83,540 | $168,630 | 5,070 | $127,679 |
| Minnesota | $130,050 | $62.52 | $79,900 | $169,810 | 35,890 | $131,868 |
| Arizona | $129,690 | $62.35 | $81,740 | $178,500 | 38,050 | $128,818 |
| South Carolina | $129,450 | $62.24 | $76,010 | $212,460 | 13,230 | $138,081 |
| Nevada | $128,810 | $61.93 | $73,990 | $194,470 | 4,520 | $128,837 |
| Utah | $128,810 | $61.93 | $77,810 | $177,970 | 31,940 | $130,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $126,550 | $60.84 | $77,750 | $178,080 | 55,920 | $129,699 |
| Missouri | $126,120 | $60.63 | $72,570 | $169,340 | 20,020 | $138,873 |
| Michigan | $125,570 | $60.37 | $78,930 | $166,510 | 43,460 | $130,507 |
| Vermont | $125,280 | $60.23 | $82,480 | $209,420 | 1,740 | $127,892 |
| New Mexico | $124,520 | $59.87 | $77,110 | $184,710 | 3,960 | $135,037 |
| Hawaii | $124,040 | $59.63 | $64,690 | $238,930 | 1,600 | $112,814 |
| Maine | $123,120 | $59.19 | $82,930 | $179,990 | 2,790 | $126,862 |
| Wisconsin | $122,660 | $58.97 | $77,710 | $168,630 | 21,730 | $130,358 |
| Alabama | $122,540 | $58.91 | $71,590 | $175,330 | 17,450 | $137,960 |
| Tennessee | $122,430 | $58.86 | $75,280 | $166,380 | 19,030 | $133,264 |
| Montana | $121,990 | $58.65 | $73,370 | $221,400 | 2,160 | $128,892 |
| West Virginia | $121,000 | $58.17 | $60,480 | $168,620 | 2,650 | $135,200 |
| Oklahoma | $118,100 | $56.78 | $75,190 | $169,700 | 6,880 | $134,444 |
| Wyoming | $115,170 | $55.37 | $72,950 | $156,620 | 1,510 | $124,252 |
| Iowa | $114,890 | $55.24 | $74,390 | $165,880 | 9,040 | $130,911 |
| Ohio | $114,090 | $54.85 | $77,790 | $168,400 | 44,790 | $122,976 |
| Kansas | $113,420 | $54.53 | $71,690 | $165,740 | 13,580 | $125,927 |
| Nebraska | $110,900 | $53.32 | $77,520 | $158,720 | 7,260 | $123,081 |
| Kentucky | $109,010 | $52.41 | $76,310 | $168,110 | 7,660 | $120,909 |
| Indiana | $105,920 | $50.92 | $74,850 | $164,650 | 14,130 | $113,491 |
| North Dakota | $105,600 | $50.77 | $62,900 | $158,060 | 1,450 | $118,706 |
| Arkansas | $104,490 | $50.24 | $60,570 | $162,380 | 6,050 | $120,190 |
| Louisiana | $102,800 | $49.42 | $66,350 | $151,780 | 4,080 | $116,544 |
| South Dakota | $96,310 | $46.30 | $65,530 | $160,380 | 2,380 | $108,719 |
| Mississippi | $95,330 | $45.83 | $44,700 | $158,300 | 1,880 | $109,634 |
BLS does not publish pay for software engineers in 1 state (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Software engineer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes software engineer pay: 375 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $213,110
- San Francisco, CA $186,640
- Seattle, WA $167,280
- New York, NY $166,830
- Boston, MA $166,090
- Boulder, CO $164,560
- San Diego, CA $163,270
- Bridgeport, CT $162,650
- Manchester, NH $162,090
- Los Angeles, CA $160,920
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $192,994
- Pittsfield, MA $162,829
- San Francisco, CA $161,435
- Boulder, CO $156,423
- Manchester, NH $153,412
- Boston, MA $153,409
- Bridgeport, CT $152,203
- Seattle, WA $150,522
- The Villages, FL $150,496
- Rocky Mount, NC $148,389
All 375 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $213,110 | 87,350 | $192,994 | 21% |
| San Francisco, CA | $186,640 | 69,030 | $161,435 | 22% |
| Seattle, WA | $167,280 | 92,770 | $150,522 | 16% |
| New York, NY | $166,830 | 121,000 | $148,210 | 26% |
| Boston, MA | $166,090 | 42,310 | $153,409 | 22% |
| Boulder, CO | $164,560 | 7,130 | $156,423 | 16% |
| San Diego, CA | $163,270 | 20,610 | $145,924 | 22% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | 3,090 | $152,203 | 21% |
| Manchester, NH | $162,090 | 4,370 | $153,412 | 16% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $160,920 | 55,540 | $141,697 | 22% |
| Oxnard, CA | $159,430 | 2,170 | $144,236 | 22% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $158,290 | 1,680 | $145,490 | 25% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $156,910 | 540 | $142,780 | 27% |
| Portland, OR | $156,000 | 18,260 | $147,978 | 14% |
| Washington, DC | $154,930 | 69,060 | $142,289 | 19% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $154,860 | 280 | $162,829 | 14% |
| Napa, CA | $153,130 | 130 | $136,050 | 23% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $148,630 | 560 | $137,896 | 22% |
| Worcester, MA | $146,950 | 1,800 | $143,334 | 17% |
| Bremerton, WA | $146,200 | 690 | $138,438 | 17% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $145,830 | 1,010 | $133,273 | 19% |
| Sacramento, CA | $139,640 | 7,460 | $130,908 | 19% |
| Baltimore, MD | $138,900 | 16,850 | $132,935 | 17% |
| Stockton, CA | $138,550 | 570 | $131,841 | 21% |
| Denver, CO | $137,610 | 27,010 | $130,088 | 17% |
| Vallejo, CA | $136,930 | 330 | $126,227 | 22% |
| Charlotte, NC | $135,920 | 20,820 | $139,623 | 15% |
| Durham, NC | $135,620 | 9,790 | $138,995 | 15% |
| Salinas, CA | $135,160 | 290 | $123,952 | 25% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $135,020 | 520 | $124,332 | 25% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $134,510 | 280 | $133,808 | 17% |
| Rochester, MN | $134,450 | 1,840 | $148,038 | 14% |
| Chicago, IL | $134,380 | 40,370 | $129,717 | 19% |
| Asheville, NC | $134,350 | 780 | $139,214 | 15% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $134,280 | 4,850 | $133,337 | 16% |
| Austin, TX | $134,120 | 31,960 | $136,765 | 14% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $133,990 | 1,820 | $132,495 | 18% |
| Kahului, HI | $133,870 | 110 | $122,375 | 29% |
| Barnstable, MA | $133,690 | 210 | $135,932 | 23% |
| Dallas, TX | $133,290 | 67,030 | $129,295 | 15% |
| Winchester, VA | $133,290 | 350 | $138,196 | 16% |
| Riverside, CA | $133,270 | 4,150 | $125,204 | 23% |
| New Haven, CT | $133,040 | 1,190 | $127,239 | 18% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $133,040 | 28,480 | $129,727 | 17% |
| Atlanta, GA | $132,960 | 36,300 | $132,883 | 17% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $132,850 | 720 | $131,848 | 18% |
| Raleigh, NC | $132,770 | 12,580 | $135,263 | 15% |
| Sebastian, FL | $132,720 | 190 | $135,004 | 19% |
| Miami, FL | $132,650 | 18,900 | $116,202 | 24% |
| Hartford, CT | $132,520 | 6,010 | $128,978 | 18% |
| Kokomo, IN | $132,390 | 60 | $147,678 | 10% |
| Charleston, SC | $132,150 | 2,050 | $130,891 | 18% |
| Merced, CA | $132,120 | 80 | $134,439 | 19% |
| Richmond, VA | $132,120 | 7,680 | $135,012 | 15% |
| Yuba City, CA | $132,120 | 80 | $126,754 | 18% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $132,040 | 150 | $139,186 | 13% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $131,970 | 160 | $127,071 | 16% |
| North Port, FL | $131,890 | 1,680 | $128,777 | 19% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $131,760 | 5,030 | $131,753 | 17% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $131,750 | 29,380 | $127,521 | 16% |
| Salem, OR | $131,620 | 970 | $126,986 | 15% |
| Boise, ID | $131,590 | 3,240 | $133,742 | 18% |
| Chico, CA | $131,360 | 150 | $129,806 | 14% |
| Waterbury, CT | $131,290 | 730 | $131,582 | – |
| Provo, UT | $131,210 | 7,870 | $133,572 | 16% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $130,920 | 27,410 | $124,897 | 16% |
| Detroit, MI | $130,760 | 24,870 | $130,371 | 14% |
| Naples, FL | $130,730 | 720 | $126,676 | 24% |
| Providence, RI | $130,690 | 5,020 | $128,413 | 20% |
| Spokane, WA | $130,690 | 1,840 | $130,239 | 14% |
| Crestview, FL | $130,640 | 1,380 | $134,637 | 18% |
| Madison, WI | $130,630 | 6,720 | $134,273 | 16% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $130,600 | 120 | $148,389 | 12% |
| Peoria, IL | $130,590 | 1,650 | $143,142 | 11% |
| Carson City, NV | $130,500 | 90 | $132,987 | 19% |
| Tampa, FL | $130,450 | 14,230 | $129,299 | 18% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $130,330 | 740 | $129,185 | 17% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $130,330 | 7,200 | $131,006 | 15% |
| Kenosha, WI | $130,330 | 410 | $128,889 | – |
| Pinehurst, NC | $130,240 | 200 | $147,437 | 17% |
| Jackson, MI | $130,220 | 390 | $141,884 | 11% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $130,120 | 80 | $133,101 | 15% |
| Longview, WA | $130,000 | 150 | $133,272 | 13% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $129,940 | 2,900 | $129,661 | 16% |
| Medford, OR | $129,690 | 330 | $127,858 | 17% |
| Orlando, FL | $129,620 | 13,440 | $127,808 | 18% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $129,600 | 19,040 | $128,485 | 15% |
| Greeley, CO | $129,480 | 560 | $129,253 | 16% |
| Ames, IA | $129,440 | 470 | $145,717 | 11% |
| Houston, TX | $129,440 | 22,940 | $131,239 | 15% |
| Redding, CA | $129,230 | 160 | $128,352 | 15% |
| Syracuse, NY | $129,100 | 2,180 | $134,842 | 15% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $129,090 | 7,160 | $131,804 | 18% |
| Fresno, CA | $129,060 | 740 | $126,334 | 19% |
| Bend, OR | $129,030 | 690 | $124,538 | 21% |
| St. Louis, MO | $129,030 | 9,820 | $135,695 | 13% |
| Trenton, NJ | $128,770 | 3,390 | $124,801 | 24% |
| Portland, ME | $128,710 | 1,460 | $126,362 | 21% |
| Sherman, TX | $128,630 | 120 | $137,175 | 13% |
| The Villages, FL | $128,560 | 130 | $150,496 | 16% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $128,520 | 1,390 | $129,627 | 19% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $128,510 | 420 | $128,218 | 22% |
| Binghamton, NY | $128,460 | 1,070 | $138,333 | 15% |
| San Antonio, TX | $128,430 | 8,010 | $135,595 | 13% |
| Bellingham, WA | $128,250 | 640 | $124,112 | 18% |
| Huntsville, AL | $128,080 | 7,030 | $137,614 | 13% |
| Albany, NY | $127,910 | 3,280 | $128,468 | 16% |
| Buffalo, NY | $127,850 | 3,960 | $133,394 | 14% |
| Kennewick, WA | $127,800 | 820 | $127,699 | 16% |
| Springfield, MA | $127,740 | 650 | $132,978 | 18% |
| Burlington, NC | $127,570 | 270 | $136,884 | 13% |
| El Paso, TX | $127,310 | 1,360 | $141,594 | 14% |
| Odessa, TX | $127,080 | 110 | $135,341 | 15% |
| Burlington, VT | $126,940 | 770 | $125,747 | 25% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $126,940 | 1,330 | $124,027 | 17% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $126,870 | 310 | $129,073 | 17% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $126,830 | 2,740 | $125,724 | 18% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $126,670 | 260 | $126,363 | – |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $126,670 | 540 | $128,135 | 19% |
| Nashville, TN | $126,610 | 7,750 | $131,423 | 17% |
| Des Moines, IA | $126,460 | 4,240 | $137,905 | 12% |
| Midland, TX | $126,190 | 400 | $131,746 | 15% |
| Visalia, CA | $126,170 | 230 | $126,391 | 16% |
| Bozeman, MT | $126,110 | 510 | $123,022 | 21% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $126,050 | 190 | $139,219 | 11% |
| El Centro, CA | $125,930 | 70 | $132,316 | 17% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $125,760 | 260 | $128,304 | 19% |
| Reno, NV | $125,710 | 1,200 | $124,448 | 20% |
| Corvallis, OR | $125,650 | 320 | $120,798 | 17% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $125,590 | 210 | $127,820 | 18% |
| Memphis, TN | $125,580 | 2,270 | $136,235 | 13% |
| Birmingham, AL | $125,410 | 3,830 | $136,845 | 13% |
| Omaha, NE | $125,220 | 3,920 | $136,240 | 13% |
| Greensboro, NC | $125,190 | 1,710 | $134,809 | 13% |
| Kansas City, MO | $124,990 | 12,160 | $135,062 | 15% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $124,540 | 90 | $133,245 | 17% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $124,500 | 10,320 | $131,508 | 14% |
| Beaumont, TX | $124,470 | 420 | $138,229 | 13% |
| Bay City, MI | $124,420 | 90 | $135,355 | 10% |
| Kingston, NY | $124,300 | 230 | $123,425 | 19% |
| Albany, GA | $124,230 | 290 | $141,703 | 10% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $124,130 | 1,050 | $134,861 | 15% |
| Olympia, WA | $124,060 | 1,920 | $119,668 | 20% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $124,000 | 120 | $134,625 | 15% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $123,990 | 170 | $129,865 | 17% |
| Vineland, NJ | $123,920 | 80 | $129,126 | 16% |
| Norwich, CT | $123,780 | 1,060 | $123,232 | 20% |
| Tyler, TX | $123,760 | 320 | $134,294 | 13% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $123,730 | 6,170 | $127,640 | 15% |
| Wilmington, NC | $123,730 | 880 | $128,321 | 17% |
| Tucson, AZ | $123,710 | 4,060 | $127,673 | 14% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $123,700 | 2,280 | $129,466 | 14% |
| Greenville, NC | $123,680 | 230 | $139,906 | 14% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $123,580 | 520 | $133,353 | 14% |
| Lexington, KY | $123,510 | 1,430 | $132,965 | 16% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $123,450 | 530 | $130,757 | 14% |
| Columbia, SC | $123,380 | 2,070 | $131,729 | 15% |
| Bloomington, IL | $123,320 | 1,570 | $131,841 | 13% |
| Killeen, TX | $123,320 | 470 | $135,320 | 13% |
| Savannah, GA | $123,220 | 440 | $129,425 | 17% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $123,110 | 140 | $133,692 | 15% |
| Waco, TX | $123,080 | 490 | $132,988 | 14% |
| Charleston, WV | $122,980 | 350 | $138,621 | 12% |
| Gainesville, FL | $122,950 | 580 | $127,102 | 16% |
| Allentown, PA | $122,930 | 1,770 | $122,969 | 18% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $122,900 | 420 | $133,619 | 14% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $122,830 | 530 | $130,433 | 16% |
| Pueblo, CO | $122,780 | 150 | $133,803 | 13% |
| Rochester, NY | $122,770 | 4,650 | $126,521 | 15% |
| Ithaca, NY | $122,730 | 310 | $118,790 | 19% |
| Hickory, NC | $122,540 | 420 | $138,485 | 16% |
| Mobile, AL | $122,540 | 1,050 | $139,095 | 13% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $122,390 | 3,820 | $135,375 | 14% |
| Columbus, OH | $122,340 | 9,880 | $128,146 | 15% |
| Lakeland, FL | $122,200 | 990 | $125,797 | 18% |
| Albany, OR | $122,030 | 100 | $119,520 | 16% |
| Deltona, FL | $122,000 | 860 | $122,777 | 17% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $121,990 | 540 | $126,426 | 15% |
| Gainesville, GA | $121,940 | 290 | $126,015 | 17% |
| Sumter, SC | $121,880 | 50 | $138,469 | 14% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $121,800 | 1,320 | $129,686 | 15% |
| Greenville, SC | $121,790 | 2,070 | $130,592 | 15% |
| Knoxville, TN | $121,750 | 2,390 | $131,524 | 17% |
| Yuma, AZ | $121,610 | 230 | $131,178 | 14% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $121,420 | 9,900 | $127,315 | 15% |
| Daphne, AL | $121,320 | 340 | $128,123 | 17% |
| Panama City, FL | $121,150 | 400 | $124,517 | 17% |
| Roanoke, VA | $121,110 | 770 | $129,366 | 14% |
| Eugene, OR | $121,050 | 810 | $119,181 | 18% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $120,940 | 100 | $140,870 | 13% |
| Reading, PA | $120,920 | 640 | $124,583 | 15% |
| Macon, GA | $120,410 | 230 | $136,013 | 12% |
| Auburn, AL | $120,310 | 290 | $136,820 | 16% |
| Honolulu, HI | $120,230 | 1,290 | $108,353 | 30% |
| Scranton, PA | $119,960 | 730 | $128,223 | 14% |
| Augusta, GA | $119,780 | 910 | $130,333 | 15% |
| Modesto, CA | $119,770 | 300 | $115,044 | 21% |
| Pocatello, ID | $119,430 | 90 | $134,333 | 11% |
| Watertown, NY | $119,350 | 80 | $136,104 | 15% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $119,250 | 220 | $125,669 | 17% |
| Hammond, LA | $118,590 | 60 | $140,410 | 13% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $118,520 | 250 | $126,369 | 15% |
| Springfield, OH | $118,150 | 80 | $130,578 | 12% |
| Weirton, WV | $118,130 | 50 | $132,695 | 8% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $118,100 | 430 | $124,526 | 13% |
| Rome, GA | $118,030 | 140 | $130,910 | 13% |
| Lewiston, ME | $117,700 | 150 | $124,240 | 16% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $117,610 | 60 | $137,187 | 13% |
| Kankakee, IL | $116,550 | 60 | $120,910 | 14% |
| Amarillo, TX | $116,530 | 320 | $126,911 | 13% |
| Texarkana, TX | $116,490 | 80 | $138,659 | 13% |
| Salisbury, MD | $116,380 | 90 | $121,715 | 20% |
| Florence, AL | $116,260 | 130 | $137,072 | 11% |
| Columbus, GA | $116,150 | 1,050 | $130,073 | 14% |
| McAllen, TX | $116,120 | 400 | $135,188 | 12% |
| Sebring, FL | $116,110 | 50 | $125,565 | 16% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $115,890 | 280 | $129,859 | 13% |
| Davenport, IA | $115,780 | 1,220 | $129,975 | 10% |
| Staunton, VA | $115,610 | 140 | $126,866 | 15% |
| Dothan, AL | $115,580 | 160 | $137,869 | 13% |
| Dalton, GA | $115,480 | 280 | $128,534 | 15% |
| Kingsport, TN | $115,310 | 430 | $133,388 | 14% |
| Lubbock, TX | $115,190 | 340 | $126,143 | 14% |
| Yakima, WA | $115,170 | 170 | $120,540 | 14% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $114,920 | 90 | $116,648 | 15% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $114,750 | 110 | $121,947 | 16% |
| Lima, OH | $114,600 | 140 | $127,803 | 13% |
| York, PA | $114,600 | 720 | $119,375 | 14% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $114,460 | 440 | $125,710 | 15% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $114,340 | 1,250 | $128,525 | 13% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $114,140 | 200 | $132,894 | 11% |
| Waterloo, IA | $113,970 | 280 | $130,914 | 11% |
| Farmington, NM | $113,780 | 50 | $129,727 | 15% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $113,580 | 110 | $113,212 | 22% |
| Utica, NY | $113,390 | 610 | $122,348 | 15% |
| St. George, UT | $113,240 | 590 | $116,357 | 20% |
| Ocala, FL | $112,780 | 380 | $118,424 | 17% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $112,380 | 180 | $113,783 | 21% |
| Wheeling, WV | $112,340 | 60 | $127,192 | 9% |
| Topeka, KS | $111,870 | 1,500 | $125,951 | 13% |
| Niles, MI | $111,720 | 160 | $120,948 | 15% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $111,630 | 590 | $120,408 | 18% |
| Laredo, TX | $111,450 | 130 | $128,168 | 12% |
| Cleveland, OH | $111,310 | 8,460 | $118,512 | 16% |
| Huntington, WV | $110,780 | 280 | $125,286 | 12% |
| Montgomery, AL | $110,620 | 780 | $123,347 | 15% |
| Decatur, IL | $110,300 | 70 | $124,743 | 12% |
| Louisville, KY | $110,270 | 2,770 | $118,476 | 15% |
| Ogden, UT | $109,880 | 2,840 | $109,498 | 18% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $109,840 | 510 | $122,914 | 14% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $109,470 | 2,580 | $110,968 | 16% |
| Lafayette, LA | $109,010 | 660 | $124,999 | 15% |
| Morgantown, WV | $108,950 | 330 | $116,745 | 15% |
| Tulsa, OK | $108,730 | 1,960 | $121,875 | 15% |
| Minot, ND | $108,470 | 50 | $124,638 | 14% |
| Florence, SC | $108,460 | 250 | $124,991 | 17% |
| Pensacola, FL | $108,430 | 1,000 | $110,963 | 19% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $108,260 | 70 | $120,943 | 14% |
| Sandusky, OH | $108,250 | 90 | $121,246 | 20% |
| Youngstown, OH | $107,990 | 260 | $123,567 | 12% |
| Lebanon, PA | $107,810 | 90 | $115,659 | 16% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $107,770 | 110 | $122,749 | 11% |
| Decatur, AL | $107,740 | 160 | $123,538 | 12% |
| Iowa City, IA | $107,680 | 690 | $117,671 | 20% |
| Rockford, IL | $107,640 | 380 | $116,804 | 14% |
| Dover, DE | $107,530 | 250 | $110,279 | 20% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $107,520 | 4,310 | $112,532 | 18% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $107,300 | 300 | $118,942 | 16% |
| Lawton, OK | $107,240 | 80 | $124,783 | 13% |
| Brownsville, TX | $106,990 | 310 | $124,443 | 17% |
| New Orleans, LA | $106,950 | 940 | $115,501 | 18% |
| Dayton, OH | $106,910 | 3,910 | $115,336 | 15% |
| Athens, GA | $106,870 | 150 | $114,492 | 20% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $106,870 | 7,140 | $111,677 | 17% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $106,750 | 990 | $116,713 | 17% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $106,640 | 270 | $104,097 | 25% |
| Longview, TX | $106,360 | 320 | $118,858 | 13% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $106,200 | 200 | $112,212 | 15% |
| Champaign, IL | $106,080 | 670 | $114,429 | 16% |
| Bismarck, ND | $106,020 | 390 | $116,475 | 15% |
| Fargo, ND | $105,980 | 860 | $116,627 | 12% |
| Wichita, KS | $105,980 | 2,040 | $119,151 | 14% |
| Joplin, MO | $105,960 | 120 | $123,615 | 14% |
| Janesville, WI | $105,670 | 280 | $112,771 | 15% |
| Valdosta, GA | $105,640 | 70 | $119,677 | 15% |
| Canton, OH | $105,500 | 480 | $118,001 | 13% |
| Akron, OH | $105,430 | 2,240 | $112,916 | 15% |
| Dubuque, IA | $105,360 | 330 | $120,649 | 12% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $105,130 | 2,490 | $115,081 | 18% |
| Lawrence, KS | $104,990 | 410 | $116,341 | 18% |
| Columbus, IN | $104,880 | 280 | $112,771 | 16% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $104,870 | 290 | $119,548 | 19% |
| Lancaster, PA | $104,740 | 850 | $106,598 | 18% |
| Springfield, IL | $104,550 | 660 | $112,728 | 14% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $104,490 | 440 | $112,602 | 13% |
| Toledo, OH | $104,360 | 880 | $114,111 | 15% |
| Gulfport, MS | $104,240 | 300 | $115,815 | 16% |
| Bangor, ME | $104,140 | 110 | $107,908 | 17% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $104,140 | 100 | $113,637 | 13% |
| Little Rock, AR | $104,070 | 1,590 | $116,456 | 14% |
| Anchorage, AK | $104,030 | 320 | $98,681 | 22% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $104,000 | 600 | $111,913 | 15% |
| Abilene, TX | $103,760 | 250 | $114,824 | 23% |
| State College, PA | $103,620 | 450 | $107,087 | 23% |
| Duluth, MN | $103,500 | 460 | $116,596 | 15% |
| Johnson City, TN | $103,320 | 300 | $117,505 | 17% |
| Brunswick, GA | $103,170 | 50 | $117,629 | 19% |
| Green Bay, WI | $103,160 | 860 | $110,822 | 13% |
| Casper, WY | $103,000 | 150 | $109,774 | 17% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $103,000 | 420 | $117,537 | 14% |
| Appleton, WI | $102,970 | 570 | $111,416 | 14% |
| Houma, LA | $102,970 | 50 | $120,995 | 15% |
| Cleveland, TN | $102,600 | 110 | $116,485 | 16% |
| Morristown, TN | $102,390 | 50 | $118,556 | 18% |
| Springfield, MO | $102,350 | 690 | $115,539 | 15% |
| La Crosse, WI | $102,110 | 380 | $111,269 | 16% |
| Owensboro, KY | $102,010 | 90 | $115,122 | 15% |
| Manhattan, KS | $101,960 | 350 | $113,085 | 15% |
| Muskegon, MI | $101,940 | 90 | $110,183 | 15% |
| College Station, TX | $101,910 | 620 | $112,049 | 18% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $101,900 | 980 | $112,249 | 16% |
| Flint, MI | $101,750 | 260 | $109,369 | 12% |
| Elkhart, IN | $101,710 | 230 | $112,604 | 14% |
| Lincoln, NE | $101,690 | 1,530 | $111,038 | 15% |
| Altoona, PA | $101,670 | 180 | $113,589 | 12% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $101,560 | 810 | $109,709 | 15% |
| Erie, PA | $101,550 | 390 | $111,655 | 13% |
| Slidell, LA | $101,530 | 270 | $109,495 | – |
| Saginaw, MI | $101,430 | 230 | $111,595 | 12% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $101,380 | 190 | $107,835 | 16% |
| Lewiston, ID | $101,310 | 70 | $111,134 | 17% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $101,260 | 70 | $98,113 | 22% |
| Racine, WI | $101,220 | 300 | $105,480 | 17% |
| Sioux City, IA | $101,150 | 230 | $116,999 | 15% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $101,040 | 1,400 | $111,485 | 15% |
| Columbia, MO | $101,020 | 530 | $112,950 | 17% |
| Beckley, WV | $100,840 | 40 | $114,112 | 12% |
| Logan, UT | $100,740 | 960 | $105,017 | 17% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $100,650 | 200 | $111,611 | 14% |
| Mankato, MN | $100,630 | 160 | $110,637 | 15% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $100,560 | 50 | $105,432 | 16% |
| Billings, MT | $100,440 | 250 | $107,393 | 17% |
| Johnstown, PA | $100,340 | 140 | $116,771 | 11% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $100,220 | 90 | $116,429 | 12% |
| Bloomington, IN | $99,990 | 220 | $105,160 | 21% |
| Lafayette, IN | $99,750 | 490 | $106,764 | 18% |
| Mansfield, OH | $99,560 | 90 | $112,026 | 11% |
| Muncie, IN | $99,380 | 120 | $112,742 | 13% |
| Helena, MT | $99,370 | 310 | $103,862 | 20% |
| Anniston, AL | $99,260 | 90 | $115,487 | 12% |
| Paducah, KY | $99,260 | 140 | $115,306 | 14% |
| Wausau, WI | $98,650 | 190 | $106,475 | 12% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $98,570 | 90 | $114,109 | 12% |
| Evansville, IN | $98,560 | 290 | $107,683 | 13% |
| Michigan City, IN | $98,510 | 70 | $107,447 | 15% |
| Monroe, MI | $98,270 | 100 | $105,111 | 16% |
| Lansing, MI | $97,120 | 3,020 | $102,241 | 16% |
| Jackson, MS | $96,990 | 550 | $108,919 | 18% |
| Shreveport, LA | $96,680 | 260 | $114,055 | 16% |
| Clarksville, TN | $96,650 | 310 | $106,271 | 17% |
| Jackson, TN | $96,540 | 130 | $112,883 | 17% |
| Grand Island, NE | $96,260 | 50 | $111,082 | 17% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $96,140 | 50 | $108,679 | 19% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $95,980 | 180 | $105,971 | 16% |
| Traverse City, MI | $95,860 | 140 | $102,665 | 23% |
| San Angelo, TX | $95,580 | 130 | $103,382 | 17% |
| Alexandria, LA | $95,510 | 50 | $111,465 | 13% |
| South Bend, IN | $95,500 | 350 | $102,845 | 16% |
| Enid, OK | $94,830 | 50 | $112,532 | 14% |
| Monroe, LA | $94,580 | 140 | $113,138 | 15% |
| Williamsport, PA | $93,960 | 120 | $101,743 | 14% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $92,120 | 130 | $106,297 | 15% |
| Rapid City, SD | $91,840 | 270 | $103,006 | 19% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $84,990 | 130 | $98,968 | 17% |
| Midland, MI | $83,730 | 160 | $91,089 | 20% |
What the median software engineer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $135,980 |
| Month | $11,332 |
| Every two weeks | $5,230 |
| Week | $2,615 |
| Hour | $65.38 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a software engineer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +10.2% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 95,300 |
| Self-employed | 1.5% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity analyst | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| Actuary | $130,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network engineer | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network administrator | $99,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| Data scientist | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| UX designer | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Systems analyst | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree |
| Web developer | $92,650 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about software engineer pay
How much does a software engineer make an hour?
The median is $65.38 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39.64 and the top 10% over $103.21.
How much does a software engineer make a month?
About $11,332 a month before taxes at the median salary of $135,980, or $5,230 every two weeks.
What state pays software engineers the most?
California, with a median of $174,410. Washington ($166,540), New York ($166,180), Massachusetts ($165,210) and Oregon ($142,720) follow.
Where do software engineers make the most after cost of living?
California: its median of $174,410 is worth $157,523 at typical US prices. Massachusetts, Washington and New York come next.
How much do entry-level software engineers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of software engineers earn under $82,460 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $105,210, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a software engineer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 15-1252 (Software Developers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.