The Uptime report

Uptime Report Research · Workforce and Pay

Software Engineer Salary 2026: $135,980 Nationally, $213,110 in San Jose, and H-1B Offers Below Local Pay in 19 of 20 Hubs

The median software engineer salary in the United States is $135,980 a year ($65.38 an hour), according to May 2025 BLS data for software developers, the occupation that includes the title software engineer. The 10th percentile earns $82,460 and the 90th $214,670. San Jose pays the highest metro median, $213,110, and Lansing, MI the lowest among metros with at least 1,000 software developers, $97,120.

Software developer pay atlas, May 2025375 metro areas · bubble area = jobs · color = median annual wage
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ: median $166,830, 121,000 jobsSeattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: median $167,280, 92,770 jobsSan Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: median $213,110, 87,350 jobsWashington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV: median $154,930, 69,060 jobsSan Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA: median $186,640, 69,030 jobsDallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX: median $133,290, 67,030 jobsLos Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: median $160,920, 55,540 jobsBoston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH: median $166,090, 42,310 jobsChicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN: median $134,380, 40,370 jobsAtlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA: median $132,960, 36,300 jobsAustin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX: median $134,120, 31,960 jobsPhoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ: median $131,750, 29,380 jobsPhiladelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD: median $133,040, 28,480 jobsMinneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI: median $130,920, 27,410 jobsDenver-Aurora-Centennial, CO: median $137,610, 27,010 jobsDetroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI: median $130,760, 24,870 jobsHouston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX: median $129,440, 22,940 jobsCharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC: median $135,920, 20,820 jobsSan Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA: median $163,270, 20,610 jobsSalt Lake City-Murray, UT: median $129,600, 19,040 jobsMiami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL: median $132,650, 18,900 jobsPortland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA: median $156,000, 18,260 jobsBaltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD: median $138,900, 16,850 jobsTampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL: median $130,450, 14,230 jobsOrlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL: median $129,620, 13,440 jobsRaleigh-Cary, NC: median $132,770, 12,580 jobsKansas City, MO-KS: median $124,990, 12,160 jobsPittsburgh, PA: median $124,500, 10,320 jobsCincinnati, OH-KY-IN: median $121,420, 9,900 jobsColumbus, OH: median $122,340, 9,880 jobsSt. Louis, MO-IL: median $129,030, 9,820 jobsDurham-Chapel Hill, NC: median $135,620, 9,790 jobsCleveland, OH: median $111,310, 8,460 jobsSan Antonio-New Braunfels, TX: median $128,430, 8,010 jobsProvo-Orem-Lehi, UT: median $131,210, 7,870 jobsNashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN: median $126,610, 7,750 jobsRichmond, VA: median $132,120, 7,680 jobsSacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA: median $139,640, 7,460 jobsJacksonville, FL: median $130,330, 7,200 jobsVirginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC: median $129,090, 7,160 jobsIndianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN: median $106,870, 7,140 jobsBoulder, CO: median $164,560, 7,130 jobsHuntsville, AL: median $128,080, 7,030 jobsMadison, WI: median $130,630, 6,720 jobsMilwaukee-Waukesha, WI: median $123,730, 6,170 jobsHartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT: median $132,520, 6,010 jobsPalm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL: median $131,760, 5,030 jobsProvidence-Warwick, RI-MA: median $130,690, 5,020 jobsColorado Springs, CO: median $134,280, 4,850 jobsRochester, NY: median $122,770, 4,650 jobsManchester-Nashua, NH: median $162,090, 4,370 jobsGrand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI: median $107,520, 4,310 jobsDes Moines-West Des Moines, IA: median $126,460, 4,240 jobsRiverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA: median $133,270, 4,150 jobsTucson, AZ: median $123,710, 4,060 jobsBuffalo-Cheektowaga, NY: median $127,850, 3,960 jobsOmaha, NE-IA: median $125,220, 3,920 jobsDayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH: median $106,910, 3,910 jobsBirmingham, AL: median $125,410, 3,830 jobsOklahoma City, OK: median $122,390, 3,820 jobsTrenton-Princeton, NJ: median $128,770, 3,390 jobsAlbany-Schenectady-Troy, NY: median $127,910, 3,280 jobsBoise City, ID: median $131,590, 3,240 jobsBridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT: median $162,650, 3,090 jobsLansing-East Lansing, MI: median $97,120, 3,020 jobsLas Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV: median $129,940, 2,900 jobsOgden, UT: median $109,880, 2,840 jobsLouisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN: median $110,270, 2,770 jobsAnn Arbor, MI: median $126,830, 2,740 jobsHarrisburg-Carlisle, PA: median $109,470, 2,580 jobsFayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR: median $105,130, 2,490 jobsKnoxville, TN: median $121,750, 2,390 jobsAlbuquerque, NM: median $123,700, 2,280 jobsMemphis, TN-MS-AR: median $125,580, 2,270 jobsAkron, OH: median $105,430, 2,240 jobsSyracuse, NY: median $129,100, 2,180 jobsOxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA: median $159,430, 2,170 jobsGreenville-Anderson-Greer, SC: median $121,790, 2,070 jobsColumbia, SC: median $123,380, 2,070 jobsCharleston-North Charleston, SC: median $132,150, 2,050 jobsWichita, KS: median $105,980, 2,040 jobsTulsa, OK: median $108,730, 1,960 jobsOlympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA: median $124,060, 1,920 jobsRochester, MN: median $134,450, 1,840 jobsSpokane-Spokane Valley, WA: median $130,690, 1,840 jobsFort Collins-Loveland, CO: median $133,990, 1,820 jobsWorcester, MA: median $146,950, 1,800 jobsAllentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ: median $122,930, 1,770 jobsGreensboro-High Point, NC: median $125,190, 1,710 jobsNorth Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL: median $131,890, 1,680 jobsSanta Maria-Santa Barbara, CA: median $158,290, 1,680 jobsPeoria, IL: median $130,590, 1,650 jobsLittle Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR: median $104,070, 1,590 jobsBloomington, IL: median $123,320, 1,570 jobsLincoln, NE: median $101,690, 1,530 jobsTopeka, KS: median $111,870, 1,500 jobsPortland-South Portland, ME: median $128,710, 1,460 jobsLexington-Fayette, KY: median $123,510, 1,430 jobsSioux Falls, SD-MN: median $101,040, 1,400 jobsCharlottesville, VA: median $128,520, 1,390 jobsCrestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL: median $130,640, 1,380 jobsEl Paso, TX: median $127,310, 1,360 jobsCape Coral-Fort Myers, FL: median $126,940, 1,330 jobsTallahassee, FL: median $121,800, 1,320 jobsUrban Honolulu, HI: median $120,230, 1,290 jobsCedar Rapids, IA: median $114,340, 1,250 jobsDavenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL: median $115,780, 1,220 jobsReno, NV: median $125,710, 1,200 jobsNew Haven, CT: median $133,040, 1,190 jobsBinghamton, NY: median $128,460, 1,070 jobsNorwich-New London-Willimantic, CT: median $123,780, 1,060 jobsMobile, AL: median $122,540, 1,050 jobsWinston-Salem, NC: median $124,130, 1,050 jobsColumbus, GA-AL: median $116,150, 1,050 jobsKiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY: median $145,830, 1,010 jobsPensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL: median $108,430, 1,000 jobsChattanooga, TN-GA: median $106,750, 990 jobsLakeland-Winter Haven, FL: median $122,200, 990 jobsBaton Rouge, LA: median $101,900, 980 jobsSalem, OR: median $131,620, 970 jobsLogan, UT-ID: median $100,740, 960 jobsNew Orleans-Metairie, LA: median $106,950, 940 jobsAugusta-Richmond County, GA-SC: median $119,780, 910 jobsWilmington, NC: median $123,730, 880 jobsToledo, OH: median $104,360, 880 jobsFargo, ND-MN: median $105,980, 860 jobsDeltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL: median $122,000, 860 jobsGreen Bay, WI: median $103,160, 860 jobsLancaster, PA: median $104,740, 850 jobsKennewick-Richland, WA: median $127,800, 820 jobsFort Wayne, IN: median $101,560, 810 jobsEugene-Springfield, OR: median $121,050, 810 jobsAsheville, NC: median $134,350, 780 jobsMontgomery, AL: median $110,620, 780 jobsRoanoke, VA: median $121,110, 770 jobsBurlington-South Burlington, VT: median $126,940, 770 jobsFresno, CA: median $129,060, 740 jobsBakersfield-Delano, CA: median $130,330, 740 jobsWaterbury-Shelton, CT: median $131,290, 730 jobsScranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA: median $119,960, 730 jobsNaples-Marco Island, FL: median $130,730, 720 jobsYork-Hanover, PA: median $114,600, 720 jobsLexington Park, MD: median $132,850, 720 jobsIowa City, IA: median $107,680, 690 jobsBend, OR: median $129,030, 690 jobsBremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA: median $146,200, 690 jobsSpringfield, MO: median $102,350, 690 jobsChampaign-Urbana, IL: median $106,080, 670 jobsLafayette, LA: median $109,010, 660 jobsSpringfield, IL: median $104,550, 660 jobsSpringfield, MA: median $127,740, 650 jobsReading, PA: median $120,920, 640 jobsBellingham, WA: median $128,250, 640 jobsCollege Station-Bryan, TX: median $101,910, 620 jobsUtica-Rome, NY: median $113,390, 610 jobsOshkosh-Neenah, WI: median $104,000, 600 jobsSt. George, UT: median $113,240, 590 jobsBlacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA: median $111,630, 590 jobsGainesville, FL: median $122,950, 580 jobsAppleton, WI: median $102,970, 570 jobsStockton-Lodi, CA: median $138,550, 570 jobsGreeley, CO: median $129,480, 560 jobsSanta Rosa-Petaluma, CA: median $148,630, 560 jobsJackson, MS: median $96,990, 550 jobsSanta Cruz-Watsonville, CA: median $156,910, 540 jobsAtlantic City-Hammonton, NJ: median $126,670, 540 jobsCheyenne, WY: median $121,990, 540 jobsIdaho Falls, ID: median $123,450, 530 jobsHagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV: median $122,830, 530 jobsColumbia, MO: median $101,020, 530 jobsSan Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA: median $135,020, 520 jobsCorpus Christi, TX: median $123,580, 520 jobsLynchburg, VA: median $109,840, 510 jobsBozeman, MT: median $126,110, 510 jobsLafayette-West Lafayette, IN: median $99,750, 490 jobsWaco, TX: median $123,080, 490 jobsCanton-Massillon, OH: median $105,500, 480 jobsAmes, IA: median $129,440, 470 jobsKilleen-Temple, TX: median $123,320, 470 jobsDuluth, MN-WI: median $103,500, 460 jobsState College, PA: median $103,620, 450 jobsEau Claire, WI: median $104,490, 440 jobsSavannah, GA: median $123,220, 440 jobsSpartanburg, SC: median $114,460, 440 jobsKingsport-Bristol, TN-VA: median $115,310, 430 jobsKalamazoo-Portage, MI: median $118,100, 430 jobsSt. Cloud, MN: median $103,000, 420 jobsPort St. Lucie, FL: median $128,510, 420 jobsBeaumont-Port Arthur, TX: median $124,470, 420 jobsHickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC: median $122,540, 420 jobsFayetteville, NC: median $122,900, 420 jobsKenosha, WI: median $130,330, 410 jobsLawrence, KS: median $104,990, 410 jobsMcAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX: median $116,120, 400 jobsPanama City-Panama City Beach, FL: median $121,150, 400 jobsMidland, TX: median $126,190, 400 jobsErie, PA: median $101,550, 390 jobsBismarck, ND: median $106,020, 390 jobsJackson, MI: median $130,220, 390 jobsOcala, FL: median $112,780, 380 jobsLa Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN: median $102,110, 380 jobsRockford, IL: median $107,640, 380 jobsWinchester, VA-WV: median $133,290, 350 jobsSouth Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI: median $95,500, 350 jobsManhattan, KS: median $101,960, 350 jobsCharleston, WV: median $122,980, 350 jobsDaphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL: median $121,320, 340 jobsLubbock, TX: median $115,190, 340 jobsMedford, OR: median $129,690, 330 jobsDubuque, IA: median $105,360, 330 jobsMorgantown, WV: median $108,950, 330 jobsVallejo, CA: median $136,930, 330 jobsTyler, TX: median $123,760, 320 jobsLongview, TX: median $106,360, 320 jobsCorvallis, OR: median $125,650, 320 jobsAmarillo, TX: median $116,530, 320 jobsAnchorage, AK: median $104,030, 320 jobsHelena, MT: median $99,370, 310 jobsBrownsville-Harlingen, TX: median $106,990, 310 jobsIthaca, NY: median $122,730, 310 jobsCoeur d’Alene, ID: median $126,870, 310 jobsClarksville, TN-KY: median $96,650, 310 jobsGulfport-Biloxi, MS: median $104,240, 300 jobsRacine-Mount Pleasant, WI: median $101,220, 300 jobsModesto, CA: median $119,770, 300 jobsLas Cruces, NM: median $107,300, 300 jobsJohnson City, TN: median $103,320, 300 jobsTuscaloosa, AL: median $104,870, 290 jobsGainesville, GA: median $121,940, 290 jobsEvansville, IN: median $98,560, 290 jobsAlbany, GA: median $124,230, 290 jobsAuburn-Opelika, AL: median $120,310, 290 jobsSalinas, CA: median $135,160, 290 jobsDalton, GA: median $115,480, 280 jobsSierra Vista-Douglas, AZ: median $115,890, 280 jobsPittsfield, MA: median $154,860, 280 jobsPunta Gorda, FL: median $134,510, 280 jobsHuntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH: median $110,780, 280 jobsWaterloo-Cedar Falls, IA: median $113,970, 280 jobsJanesville-Beloit, WI: median $105,670, 280 jobsColumbus, IN: median $104,880, 280 jobsBurlington, NC: median $127,570, 270 jobsMount Vernon-Anacortes, WA: median $106,640, 270 jobsSlidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA: median $101,530, 270 jobsRapid City, SD: median $91,840, 270 jobsShreveport-Bossier City, LA: median $96,680, 260 jobsFlint, MI: median $101,750, 260 jobsYoungstown-Warren, OH: median $107,990, 260 jobsAmherst Town-Northampton, MA: median $126,670, 260 jobsHilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC: median $125,760, 260 jobsFlorence, SC: median $108,460, 250 jobsBillings, MT: median $100,440, 250 jobsDover, DE: median $107,530, 250 jobsWarner Robins, GA: median $118,520, 250 jobsAbilene, TX: median $103,760, 250 jobsSaginaw, MI: median $101,430, 230 jobsSioux City, IA-NE-SD: median $101,150, 230 jobsVisalia, CA: median $126,170, 230 jobsYuma, AZ: median $121,610, 230 jobsElkhart-Goshen, IN: median $101,710, 230 jobsMacon-Bibb County, GA: median $120,410, 230 jobsGreenville, NC: median $123,680, 230 jobsKingston, NY: median $124,300, 230 jobsBloomington, IN: median $99,990, 220 jobsHarrisonburg, VA: median $119,250, 220 jobsBarnstable Town, MA: median $133,690, 210 jobsPrescott Valley-Prescott, AZ: median $125,590, 210 jobsPinehurst-Southern Pines, NC: median $130,240, 200 jobsBowling Green, KY: median $100,650, 200 jobsFort Smith, AR-OK: median $114,140, 200 jobsChambersburg, PA: median $106,200, 200 jobsWausau, WI: median $98,650, 190 jobsBattle Creek, MI: median $126,050, 190 jobsSheboygan, WI: median $101,380, 190 jobsSebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL: median $132,720, 190 jobsElizabethtown, KY: median $95,980, 180 jobsSanta Fe, NM: median $112,380, 180 jobsAltoona, PA: median $101,670, 180 jobsGrand Junction, CO: median $123,990, 170 jobsYakima, WA: median $115,170, 170 jobsDecatur, AL: median $107,740, 160 jobsNiles, MI: median $111,720, 160 jobsRedding, CA: median $129,230, 160 jobsWenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA: median $131,970, 160 jobsDothan, AL: median $115,580, 160 jobsMidland, MI: median $83,730, 160 jobsMankato, MN: median $100,630, 160 jobsLewiston-Auburn, ME: median $117,700, 150 jobsPueblo, CO: median $122,780, 150 jobsChico, CA: median $131,360, 150 jobsLongview-Kelso, WA: median $130,000, 150 jobsAthens-Clarke County, GA: median $106,870, 150 jobsGlens Falls, NY: median $132,040, 150 jobsCasper, WY: median $103,000, 150 jobsJacksonville, NC: median $123,110, 140 jobsPaducah, KY-IL: median $99,260, 140 jobsJohnstown, PA: median $100,340, 140 jobsStaunton-Stuarts Draft, VA: median $115,610, 140 jobsTraverse City, MI: median $95,860, 140 jobsRome, GA: median $118,030, 140 jobsMonroe, LA: median $94,580, 140 jobsLima, OH: median $114,600, 140 jobsGrand Forks, ND-MN: median $92,120, 130 jobsWildwood-The Villages, FL: median $128,560, 130 jobsFlorence-Muscle Shoals, AL: median $116,260, 130 jobsLaredo, TX: median $111,450, 130 jobsSan Angelo, TX: median $95,580, 130 jobsNapa, CA: median $153,130, 130 jobsJackson, TN: median $96,540, 130 jobsJonesboro, AR: median $84,990, 130 jobsWilliamsport, PA: median $93,960, 120 jobsSherman-Denison, TX: median $128,630, 120 jobsJoplin, MO-KS: median $105,960, 120 jobsMuncie, IN: median $99,380, 120 jobsTwin Falls, ID: median $124,000, 120 jobsRocky Mount, NC: median $130,600, 120 jobsCleveland, TN: median $102,600, 110 jobsBangor, ME: median $104,140, 110 jobsTerre Haute, IN: median $107,770, 110 jobsKahului-Wailuku, HI: median $133,870, 110 jobsLake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ: median $114,750, 110 jobsOdessa, TX: median $127,080, 110 jobsFlagstaff, AZ: median $113,580, 110 jobsLake Charles, LA: median $120,940, 100 jobsMonroe, MI: median $98,270, 100 jobsAlbany, OR: median $122,030, 100 jobsFond du Lac, WI: median $104,140, 100 jobsMansfield, OH: median $99,560, 90 jobsOwensboro, KY: median $102,010, 90 jobsHomosassa Springs, FL: median $124,540, 90 jobsWalla Walla, WA: median $114,920, 90 jobsLebanon, PA: median $107,810, 90 jobsSt. Joseph, MO-KS: median $98,570, 90 jobsCape Girardeau, MO-IL: median $100,220, 90 jobsSandusky, OH: median $108,250, 90 jobsPocatello, ID: median $119,430, 90 jobsBay City, MI: median $124,420, 90 jobsAnniston-Oxford, AL: median $99,260, 90 jobsMuskegon-Norton Shores, MI: median $101,940, 90 jobsSalisbury, MD: median $116,380, 90 jobsCarson City, NV: median $130,500, 90 jobsMerced, CA: median $132,120, 80 jobsVineland, NJ: median $123,920, 80 jobsSpringfield, OH: median $118,150, 80 jobsYuba City, CA: median $132,120, 80 jobsGrants Pass, OR: median $130,120, 80 jobsTexarkana, TX-AR: median $116,490, 80 jobsWatertown-Fort Drum, NY: median $119,350, 80 jobsLawton, OK: median $107,240, 80 jobsMichigan City-La Porte, IN: median $98,510, 70 jobsLewiston, ID-WA: median $101,310, 70 jobsValdosta, GA: median $105,640, 70 jobsDecatur, IL: median $110,300, 70 jobsEl Centro, CA: median $125,930, 70 jobsFairbanks-College, AK: median $101,260, 70 jobsWichita Falls, TX: median $108,260, 70 jobsWheeling, WV-OH: median $112,340, 60 jobsHot Springs, AR: median $117,610, 60 jobsKokomo, IN: median $132,390, 60 jobsHammond, LA: median $118,590, 60 jobsKankakee, IL: median $116,550, 60 jobsGettysburg, PA: median $100,560, 50 jobsHouma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA: median $102,970, 50 jobsAlexandria, LA: median $95,510, 50 jobsSebring, FL: median $116,110, 50 jobsGoldsboro, NC: median $96,140, 50 jobsMorristown, TN: median $102,390, 50 jobsWeirton-Steubenville, WV-OH: median $118,130, 50 jobsFarmington, NM: median $113,780, 50 jobsSumter, SC: median $121,880, 50 jobsEnid, OK: median $94,830, 50 jobsBrunswick-St. Simons, GA: median $103,170, 50 jobsMinot, ND: median $108,470, 50 jobsGrand Island, NE: median $96,260, 50 jobsBeckley, WV: median $100,840, 40 jobsSan Jose $213KSan Francisco $187KSeattle $167KNew York $167KBoston $166KWashington $155KDallas $133KAustin $134KLos Angeles $161KChicago $134KAtlanta $133KDenver $138KPortland $156KRaleigh $133KSan Diego $163K
Under $110K (127)$110K to $125K (114)$125K to $140K (113)$140K to $155K (7)$155K to $170K (12)$170K and up (2)
National median$135,980$65.38 an hour, +2.2% vs May 2024
10th to 90th pct$82K to $215KMiddle half: $105,210 to $171,980
Top metro$213,110San Jose, highest of 377 metros; $192,994 cost-adjusted
Above U.S. median19 of 116Metros with 1,000+ software developers
H-1B offers19 of 20Top H-1B metros where the median LCA offer is below the BLS local median

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, metropolitan area estimates for Software Developers (SOC 15-1252). Bubble positions are Census 2024 Gazetteer internal points. Hover a bubble for the metro, median and job count. 5 of 382 metros have no published median; Puerto Rico’s 2 metros are not drawn.

We downloaded the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS files for May 2025 and May 2024 and read every published wage percentile for software developers by nation, state, metro area and industry. We divided state and metro medians by the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities to adjust for local prices. We then matched 168,627 certified full-time H-1B labor condition applications (LCAs) for software developers from the Department of Labor’s FY2025 disclosure files to the same metro areas, to compare employer-stated offers with the BLS median.

Is “software engineer” a BLS job title?

Not as a separate occupation. The federal Standard Occupational Classification files “Software Engineer” under 15-1252 Software Developers, the official BLS title used throughout this page. Its direct-match titles include:

  • Application Integration Engineer
  • Applications Developer
  • Computer Applications Developer
  • Computer Applications Engineer
  • Computer Systems Engineer
  • Computer Systems Software Architect
  • Computer Systems Software Engineer
  • Embedded Systems Software Developer
  • Enterprise Systems Engineer
  • Mobile Applications Developer
  • Software Applications Architect
  • Software Applications Designer
  • Software Applications Engineer
  • Software Engineer
  • Software Systems Engineer
  • Systems Software Designer
  • Systems Software Developer
  • Systems Software Specialist

Adjacent codes. Test-focused titles such as Software Quality Engineer and Software Test Engineer sit in 15-1253 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers ($104,300 median). The title “Junior Software Developer” is a direct match for 15-1251 Computer Programmers ($100,390 median).

What employers write. On the 168,627 certified H-1B filings coded 15-1252 in FY2025, 62% of job titles contain the word “engineer” and 24% contain “developer”. 44% read “software engineer” or “software development engineer”.

Salary sites such as Levels.fyi and Glassdoor publish self-reported figures, and many of those include stock grants and bonuses as total compensation. OEWS measures straight-time wages reported by employers: base pay plus incentive pay such as commissions and production bonuses, excluding overtime, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. That is why the figures differ, and why OEWS medians are lower than total-compensation figures for large tech employers.

The highest paying metros for software engineers

Pay is concentrated in a few coastal hubs. Of the 116 metros with at least 1,000 software developers, only 19 pay a median above the national $135,980. San Jose’s $213,110 is 57% above the national median and 119% above Lansing, MI ($97,120). The ten largest metros by software developer employment hold 40% of the nation’s 1,687,890 software developers. For a side-by-side of metro pay for support, sysadmin and security roles, see our highest paying cities for IT jobs leaderboard.

Median 25th to 75th percentile, line = 10th to 90th Median adjusted for local prices

$75K$100K$125K$150K$175K$200K$225K$250K$275K$300KU.S. median $135,980San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: 10th $138,420, 25th $173,650, median $213,110, 75th $226,080, 90th $289,150; cost-adjusted median $192,994; 87,350 software developers1. San Jose, CASan Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA: 10th $128,090, 25th $163,500, median $186,640, 75th $219,670, 90th $273,400; cost-adjusted median $161,435; 69,030 software developers2. San Francisco, CASeattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: 10th $99,190, 25th $132,800, median $167,280, 75th $211,860, 90th $257,960; cost-adjusted median $150,522; 92,770 software developers3. Seattle, WANew York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ: 10th $101,690, 25th $130,650, median $166,830, 75th $205,970, 90th $224,590; cost-adjusted median $148,210; 121,000 software developers4. New York, NYBoston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH: 10th $102,950, 25th $131,880, median $166,090, 75th $183,740, 90th $214,100; cost-adjusted median $153,409; 42,310 software developers5. Boston, MABoulder, CO: 10th $102,880, 25th $129,210, median $164,560, 75th $206,650, 90th $235,660; cost-adjusted median $156,423; 7,130 software developers6. Boulder, COSan Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA: 10th $95,420, 25th $128,590, median $163,270, 75th $193,980, 90th $223,260; cost-adjusted median $145,924; 20,610 software developers7. San Diego, CABridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT: 10th $102,200, 25th $124,970, median $162,650, 75th $204,070, 90th $223,320; cost-adjusted median $152,203; 3,090 software developers8. Bridgeport, CTManchester-Nashua, NH: 10th $95,950, 25th $125,790, median $162,090, 75th $173,560, 90th $206,180; cost-adjusted median $153,412; 4,370 software developers9. Manchester, NHLos Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: 10th $98,270, 25th $127,530, median $160,920, 75th $191,540, 90th $223,150; cost-adjusted median $141,697; 55,540 software developers10. Los Angeles, CAOxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA: 10th $94,560, 25th $127,170, median $159,430, 75th $173,330, 90th $223,490; cost-adjusted median $144,236; 2,170 software developers11. Oxnard, CASanta Maria-Santa Barbara, CA: 10th $99,670, 25th $127,490, median $158,290, 75th $173,660, 90th $215,750; cost-adjusted median $145,490; 1,680 software developers12. Santa Maria, CAPortland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA: 10th $94,040, 25th $126,220, median $156,000, 75th $174,050, 90th $213,540; cost-adjusted median $147,978; 18,260 software developers13. Portland, ORWashington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV: 10th $96,450, 25th $123,720, median $154,930, 75th $176,230, 90th $213,660; cost-adjusted median $142,289; 69,060 software developers14. Washington, DCWorcester, MA: 10th $95,400, 25th $120,330, median $146,950, 75th $167,290, 90th $202,790; cost-adjusted median $143,334; 1,800 software developers15. Worcester, MAKiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY: 10th $85,090, 25th $112,210, median $145,830, 75th $175,390, 90th $216,710; cost-adjusted median $133,273; 1,010 software developers16. Kiryas Joel, NYSacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA: 10th $100,040, 25th $126,650, median $139,640, 75th $170,240, 90th $209,140; cost-adjusted median $130,908; 7,460 software developers17. Sacramento, CABaltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD: 10th $87,290, 25th $105,670, median $138,900, 75th $200,910, 90th $223,550; cost-adjusted median $132,935; 16,850 software developers18. Baltimore, MDDenver-Aurora-Centennial, CO: 10th $99,700, 25th $123,640, median $137,610, 75th $171,350, 90th $209,300; cost-adjusted median $130,088; 27,010 software developers19. Denver, COCharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC: 10th $93,690, 25th $107,680, median $135,920, 75th $165,050, 90th $172,360; cost-adjusted median $139,623; 20,820 software developers20. Charlotte, NCDurham-Chapel Hill, NC: 10th $100,670, 25th $128,290, median $135,620, 75th $168,720, 90th $209,410; cost-adjusted median $138,995; 9,790 software developers21. Durham, NCRochester, MN: 10th $104,300, 25th $109,270, median $134,450, 75th $169,060, 90th $170,860; cost-adjusted median $148,038; 1,840 software developers22. Rochester, MNChicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN: 10th $83,820, 25th $104,530, median $134,380, 75th $167,650, 90th $203,410; cost-adjusted median $129,717; 40,370 software developers23. Chicago, ILColorado Springs, CO: 10th $86,540, 25th $106,300, median $134,280, 75th $166,860, 90th $207,490; cost-adjusted median $133,337; 4,850 software developers24. Colorado Springs, COAustin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX: 10th $96,110, 25th $104,000, median $134,120, 75th $168,730, 90th $209,890; cost-adjusted median $136,765; 31,960 software developers25. Austin, TX

Top 25 of 116 metros with at least 1,000 software developers, ranked by median. Cost-adjusted median = median divided by the metro’s BEA 2024 Regional Price Parity over 100.

Adjusting for prices compresses the map but does not reorder the top. San Jose stays first at $192,994 in national-average dollars and San Francisco, CA second. Boulder, CO rises to third ($156,423) from 6th, and Seattle and New York fall to 7th and 8th because their price levels are 11% and 13% above the national average. Lower-cost markets climb the most: Mobile, AL from 89th to 20th, Oklahoma City, OK from 90th to 31st, El Paso, TX from 66th to 18th.

All 116 metros with at least 1,000 software developers

Rank Metro area Jobs 10th Median 90th Price level (U.S. = 100) Cost-adjusted median Cost-adjusted rank
1 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 87,350 $138,420 $213,110 $289,150 110.4 $192,994 1
2 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 69,030 $128,090 $186,640 $273,400 115.6 $161,435 2
3 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 92,770 $99,190 $167,280 $257,960 111.1 $150,522 7
4 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 121,000 $101,690 $166,830 $224,590 112.6 $148,210 8
5 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 42,310 $102,950 $166,090 $214,100 108.3 $153,409 5
6 Boulder, CO 7,130 $102,880 $164,560 $235,660 105.2 $156,423 3
7 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 20,610 $95,420 $163,270 $223,260 111.9 $145,924 11
8 Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT 3,090 $102,200 $162,650 $223,320 106.9 $152,203 6
9 Manchester-Nashua, NH 4,370 $95,950 $162,090 $206,180 105.7 $153,412 4
10 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 55,540 $98,270 $160,920 $223,150 113.6 $141,697 17
11 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA 2,170 $94,560 $159,430 $223,490 110.5 $144,236 13
12 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA 1,680 $99,670 $158,290 $215,750 108.8 $145,490 12
13 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 18,260 $94,040 $156,000 $213,540 105.4 $147,978 10
14 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 69,060 $96,450 $154,930 $213,660 108.9 $142,289 16
15 Worcester, MA 1,800 $95,400 $146,950 $202,790 102.5 $143,334 14
16 Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY 1,010 $85,090 $145,830 $216,710 109.4 $133,273 44
17 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA 7,460 $100,040 $139,640 $209,140 106.7 $130,908 58
18 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 16,850 $87,290 $138,900 $223,550 104.5 $132,935 46
19 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 27,010 $99,700 $137,610 $209,300 105.8 $130,088 63
20 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 20,820 $93,690 $135,920 $172,360 97.3 $139,623 19
21 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC 9,790 $100,670 $135,620 $209,410 97.6 $138,995 21
22 Rochester, MN 1,840 $104,300 $134,450 $170,860 90.8 $148,038 9
23 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 40,370 $83,820 $134,380 $203,410 103.6 $129,717 67
24 Colorado Springs, CO 4,850 $86,540 $134,280 $207,490 100.7 $133,337 43
25 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX 31,960 $96,110 $134,120 $209,890 98.1 $136,765 26
26 Fort Collins-Loveland, CO 1,820 $79,990 $133,990 $221,110 101.1 $132,495 48
27 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 67,030 $85,920 $133,290 $179,400 103.1 $129,295 73
28 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 4,150 $85,090 $133,270 $205,760 106.4 $125,204 91
29 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 28,480 $82,960 $133,040 $190,180 102.6 $129,727 66
30 New Haven, CT 1,190 $78,980 $133,040 $177,470 104.6 $127,239 86
31 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 36,300 $83,400 $132,960 $178,330 100.1 $132,883 47
32 Raleigh-Cary, NC 12,580 $80,080 $132,770 $185,110 98.2 $135,263 32
33 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 18,900 $80,440 $132,650 $199,280 114.2 $116,202 104
34 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT 6,010 $86,800 $132,520 $176,390 102.7 $128,978 74
35 Charleston-North Charleston, SC 2,050 $80,170 $132,150 $213,340 101.0 $130,891 59
36 Richmond, VA 7,680 $84,290 $132,120 $208,990 97.9 $135,012 34
37 North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL 1,680 $80,320 $131,890 $210,160 102.4 $128,777 75
38 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL 5,030 $81,760 $131,760 $200,340 100.0 $131,753 51
39 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 29,380 $82,500 $131,750 $180,460 103.3 $127,521 84
40 Boise City, ID 3,240 $75,680 $131,590 $172,170 98.4 $133,742 40
41 Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT 7,870 $77,080 $131,210 $195,260 98.2 $133,572 41
42 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 27,410 $83,020 $130,920 $170,060 104.8 $124,897 92
43 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 24,870 $82,720 $130,760 $167,490 100.3 $130,371 61
44 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA 5,020 $84,130 $130,690 $172,090 101.8 $128,413 79
45 Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 1,840 $80,670 $130,690 $201,620 100.3 $130,239 62
46 Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL 1,380 $79,680 $130,640 $175,840 97.0 $134,637 38
47 Madison, WI 6,720 $82,790 $130,630 $171,290 97.3 $134,273 39
48 Peoria, IL 1,650 $89,350 $130,590 $166,680 91.2 $143,142 15
49 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 14,230 $78,480 $130,450 $207,330 100.9 $129,299 72
50 Jacksonville, FL 7,200 $80,720 $130,330 $170,580 99.5 $131,006 57
51 Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV 2,900 $75,530 $129,940 $198,610 100.2 $129,661 69
52 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 13,440 $80,170 $129,620 $176,800 101.4 $127,808 81
53 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT 19,040 $79,610 $129,600 $177,090 100.9 $128,485 77
54 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 22,940 $80,400 $129,440 $181,770 98.6 $131,239 56
55 Syracuse, NY 2,180 $82,200 $129,100 $172,830 95.7 $134,842 36
56 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC 7,160 $80,090 $129,090 $178,830 97.9 $131,804 50
57 St. Louis, MO-IL 9,820 $77,730 $129,030 $169,030 95.1 $135,695 29
58 Trenton-Princeton, NJ 3,390 $81,110 $128,770 $190,830 103.2 $124,801 93
59 Portland-South Portland, ME 1,460 $83,760 $128,710 $185,130 101.9 $126,362 88
60 Charlottesville, VA 1,390 $81,200 $128,520 $196,240 99.1 $129,627 70
61 Binghamton, NY 1,070 $86,650 $128,460 $170,800 92.9 $138,333 22
62 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX 8,010 $80,560 $128,430 $165,870 94.7 $135,595 30
63 Huntsville, AL 7,030 $79,630 $128,080 $175,460 93.1 $137,614 24
64 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY 3,280 $80,800 $127,910 $178,120 99.6 $128,468 78
65 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY 3,960 $79,080 $127,850 $172,730 95.8 $133,394 42
66 El Paso, TX 1,360 $77,500 $127,310 $164,830 89.9 $141,594 18
67 Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL 1,330 $79,200 $126,940 $176,210 102.3 $124,027 95
68 Ann Arbor, MI 2,740 $81,500 $126,830 $170,680 100.9 $125,724 90
69 Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN 7,750 $78,410 $126,610 $169,070 96.3 $131,423 55
70 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA 4,240 $79,170 $126,460 $168,180 91.7 $137,905 23
71 Reno, NV 1,200 $64,090 $125,710 $173,780 101.0 $124,448 94
72 Memphis, TN-MS-AR 2,270 $77,520 $125,580 $168,000 92.2 $136,235 28
73 Birmingham, AL 3,830 $74,110 $125,410 $175,330 91.6 $136,845 25
74 Omaha, NE-IA 3,920 $80,120 $125,220 $162,800 91.9 $136,240 27
75 Greensboro-High Point, NC 1,710 $79,180 $125,190 $169,110 92.9 $134,809 37
76 Kansas City, MO-KS 12,160 $76,340 $124,990 $169,440 92.5 $135,062 33
77 Pittsburgh, PA 10,320 $76,030 $124,500 $191,710 94.7 $131,508 54
78 Winston-Salem, NC 1,050 $78,700 $124,130 $169,360 92.0 $134,861 35
79 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA 1,920 $94,720 $124,060 $187,350 103.7 $119,668 99
80 Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT 1,060 $86,100 $123,780 $171,250 100.4 $123,232 96
81 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI 6,170 $77,740 $123,730 $164,660 96.9 $127,640 83
82 Tucson, AZ 4,060 $79,090 $123,710 $184,820 96.9 $127,673 82
83 Albuquerque, NM 2,280 $78,290 $123,700 $182,580 95.5 $129,466 71
84 Lexington-Fayette, KY 1,430 $79,770 $123,510 $167,270 92.9 $132,965 45
85 Columbia, SC 2,070 $70,950 $123,380 $172,460 93.7 $131,729 52
86 Bloomington, IL 1,570 $91,360 $123,320 $190,180 93.5 $131,841 49
87 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ 1,770 $74,960 $122,930 $175,890 100.0 $122,969 97
88 Rochester, NY 4,650 $79,580 $122,770 $170,170 97.0 $126,521 87
89 Mobile, AL 1,050 $66,850 $122,540 $179,890 88.1 $139,095 20
90 Oklahoma City, OK 3,820 $77,090 $122,390 $173,010 90.4 $135,375 31
91 Columbus, OH 9,880 $80,130 $122,340 $170,000 95.5 $128,146 80
92 Tallahassee, FL 1,320 $72,460 $121,800 $193,050 93.9 $129,686 68
93 Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC 2,070 $67,630 $121,790 $197,880 93.3 $130,592 60
94 Knoxville, TN 2,390 $68,880 $121,750 $161,870 92.6 $131,524 53
95 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN 9,900 $78,790 $121,420 $172,240 95.4 $127,315 85
96 Urban Honolulu, HI 1,290 $63,200 $120,230 $219,050 111.0 $108,353 115
97 Columbus, GA-AL 1,050 $81,580 $116,150 $165,210 89.3 $130,073 64
98 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL 1,220 $77,920 $115,780 $163,490 89.1 $129,975 65
99 Cedar Rapids, IA 1,250 $70,070 $114,340 $161,810 89.0 $128,525 76
100 Topeka, KS 1,500 $67,000 $111,870 $158,210 88.8 $125,951 89
101 Cleveland, OH 8,460 $78,860 $111,310 $167,570 93.9 $118,512 101
102 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN 2,770 $77,750 $110,270 $163,350 93.1 $118,476 102
103 Ogden, UT 2,840 $67,510 $109,880 $173,740 100.3 $109,498 114
104 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA 2,580 $76,190 $109,470 $162,260 98.7 $110,968 112
105 Tulsa, OK 1,960 $76,140 $108,730 $166,580 89.2 $121,875 98
106 Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL 1,000 $67,010 $108,430 $168,270 97.7 $110,963 113
107 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI 4,310 $75,670 $107,520 $161,840 95.5 $112,532 108
108 Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH 3,910 $77,330 $106,910 $170,180 92.7 $115,336 105
109 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN 7,140 $76,990 $106,870 $158,970 95.7 $111,677 109
110 Wichita, KS 2,040 $62,860 $105,980 $152,500 88.9 $119,151 100
111 Akron, OH 2,240 $76,850 $105,430 $164,000 93.4 $112,916 107
112 Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR 2,490 $62,940 $105,130 $157,820 91.4 $115,081 106
113 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR 1,590 $61,990 $104,070 $154,030 89.4 $116,456 103
114 Lincoln, NE 1,530 $66,870 $101,690 $157,780 91.6 $111,038 111
115 Sioux Falls, SD-MN 1,400 $65,390 $101,040 $173,180 90.6 $111,485 110
116 Lansing-East Lansing, MI 3,020 $71,050 $97,120 $132,790 95.0 $102,241 116

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities by MSA, 2024. Smaller metros are in the download.

Software engineer salary by state, adjusted for cost of living

State medians run from $95,330 in Mississippi to $174,410 in California. California keeps first place after the price adjustment ($157,523), and Massachusetts, Washington and New York follow. The adjustment moves the middle of the table most: Alabama rises from 34th to 9th, West Virginia rises from 37th to 13th, Oklahoma rises from 38th to 16th, while District of Columbia falls from 9th to 39th, New Jersey falls from 11th to 38th, Florida falls from 19th to 36th. Texas, home to the largest H-1B metro for this occupation, ranks 15th nominal and 11th adjusted. Our IT salaries by state matrix has the same view for four infrastructure and support roles.

Rank, cost-adjusted State Median 10th 90th Price level (U.S. = 100) Cost-adjusted median Rank, nominal Jobs
1 California $174,410 $105,060 $272,670 110.7 $157,523 1 284,390
2 Massachusetts $165,210 $102,810 $213,970 105.8 $156,217 4 48,190
3 Washington $166,540 $96,810 $255,350 107.0 $155,626 2 107,030
4 New York $166,180 $97,430 $224,590 107.9 $153,983 3 113,510
5 North Carolina $134,710 $83,840 $179,310 94.3 $142,813 12 58,470
6 Missouri $126,120 $72,570 $169,340 90.8 $138,873 27 20,020
7 South Carolina $129,450 $76,010 $212,460 93.7 $138,081 23 13,230
8 Oregon $142,720 $83,070 $213,540 103.4 $138,079 5 21,830
9 Alabama $122,540 $71,590 $175,330 88.8 $137,960 34 17,450
10 Idaho $131,590 $71,030 $178,980 95.5 $137,799 17 5,750
11 Texas $132,150 $82,600 $183,680 97.1 $136,157 15 163,880
12 Georgia $131,010 $80,110 $176,000 96.3 $136,054 18 49,700
13 West Virginia $121,000 $60,480 $168,620 89.5 $135,200 37 2,650
14 New Mexico $124,520 $77,110 $184,710 92.2 $135,037 30 3,960
15 Virginia $136,460 $83,350 $211,930 101.1 $134,970 10 88,280
16 Oklahoma $118,100 $75,190 $169,700 87.8 $134,444 38 6,880
17 Colorado $138,390 $96,480 $213,010 103.1 $134,291 8 43,320
18 New Hampshire $139,720 $92,510 $205,370 104.2 $134,133 6 10,840
19 Delaware $133,020 $96,620 $174,390 99.8 $133,276 14 3,380
20 Tennessee $122,430 $75,280 $166,380 91.9 $133,264 35 19,030
21 Illinois $132,110 $80,980 $194,740 100.0 $132,166 16 56,310
22 Maryland $138,680 $87,690 $222,610 105.0 $132,128 7 31,350
23 Minnesota $130,050 $79,900 $169,810 98.6 $131,868 21 35,890
24 Iowa $114,890 $74,390 $165,880 87.8 $130,911 40 9,040
25 Michigan $125,570 $78,930 $166,510 96.2 $130,507 28 43,460
26 Wisconsin $122,660 $77,710 $168,630 94.1 $130,358 33 21,730
27 Utah $128,810 $77,810 $177,970 98.9 $130,290 25 31,940
28 Pennsylvania $126,550 $77,750 $178,080 97.6 $129,699 26 55,920
29 Connecticut $134,120 $85,930 $205,160 103.6 $129,447 13 13,660
30 Montana $121,990 $73,370 $221,400 94.6 $128,892 36 2,160
31 Nevada $128,810 $73,990 $194,470 100.0 $128,837 24 4,520
32 Arizona $129,690 $81,740 $178,500 100.7 $128,818 22 38,050
33 Vermont $125,280 $82,480 $209,420 98.0 $127,892 29 1,740
34 Rhode Island $130,590 $83,540 $168,630 102.3 $127,679 20 5,070
35 Maine $123,120 $82,930 $179,990 97.0 $126,862 32 2,790
36 Florida $130,980 $80,050 $204,400 103.4 $126,656 19 87,890
37 Kansas $113,420 $71,690 $165,740 90.1 $125,927 42 13,580
38 New Jersey $135,940 $84,880 $207,200 108.8 $124,939 11 51,570
39 District of Columbia $136,880 $85,140 $197,000 109.9 $124,548 9 6,120
40 Wyoming $115,170 $72,950 $156,620 92.7 $124,252 39 1,510
41 Nebraska $110,900 $77,520 $158,720 90.1 $123,081 43 7,260
42 Ohio $114,090 $77,790 $168,400 92.8 $122,976 41 44,790
43 Kentucky $109,010 $76,310 $168,110 90.2 $120,909 44 7,660
44 Arkansas $104,490 $60,570 $162,380 86.9 $120,190 47 6,050
45 North Dakota $105,600 $62,900 $158,060 89.0 $118,706 46 1,450
46 Louisiana $102,800 $66,350 $151,780 88.2 $116,544 48 4,080
47 Indiana $105,920 $74,850 $164,650 93.3 $113,491 45 14,130
48 Hawaii $124,040 $64,690 $238,930 110.0 $112,814 31 1,600
49 Mississippi $95,330 $44,700 $158,300 87.0 $109,634 50 1,880
50 South Dakota $96,310 $65,530 $160,380 88.6 $108,719 49 2,380

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates; BEA Regional Price Parities, all items, 2024. Alaska has no published median. Puerto Rico has OEWS data but no BEA price parity and is in the download only.

The percentile spread: entry level to the top 10%

BLS does not ask employers about experience, so percentiles are the closest thing to a career ladder. A software developer at the 10th percentile earns $82,460 ($39.64 an hour); at the 90th, $214,670 ($103.21). The 10th percentile rose 3.3% from May 2024, faster than the median (2.2%) and the 90th (1.5%). The median’s rise trailed the 3.0% increase in the median for all U.S. occupations.

$0K$50K$100K$150K$200K$250KSoftware developers (15-1252): 10th $82,460, 25th $105,210, median $135,980, 75th $171,980, 90th $214,670Software developers (15-1252)$82K$215K$135,980H-1B LCA offered wages, software developers, FY2025: 10th $96,418, 25th $110,000, median $136,000, 75th $168,309, 90th $200,000H-1B LCA offered wages, software developers, FY2025$96K$200K$136,000Software QA analysts and testers (15-1253): 10th $61,440, 25th $80,310, median $104,300, 75th $133,180, 90th $167,010Software QA analysts and testers (15-1253)$61K$167K$104,300Computer programmers (15-1251): 10th $57,710, 25th $75,850, median $100,390, 75th $130,680, 90th $160,460Computer programmers (15-1251)$58K$160K$100,390All U.S. occupations: 10th $31,200, 25th $37,590, median $50,980, 75th $80,520, 90th $128,560All U.S. occupations$31K$129K$50,980

Box = 25th to 75th percentile, line = 10th to 90th, open circle = median. BLS rows: OEWS May 2025. LCA row: annualized lower bound of the offered wage on 168,627 certified full-time H-1B LCAs, FY2025.

Occupation Jobs, May 2025 10th 25th Median 75th 90th Hourly median Median change since May 2024 Projected jobs change, 2025 to 2035
Software developers
15-1252 · Includes the job title software engineer		 1,687,890 $82,460 $105,210 $135,980 $171,980 $214,670 $65.38 +2.2% +10.2%
Software quality assurance analysts and testers
15-1253 · Adjacent role: test and QA engineers		 186,740 $61,440 $80,310 $104,300 $133,180 $167,010 $50.14 +1.6% +5.7%
Computer programmers
15-1251 · Adjacent role: includes junior software developer		 92,230 $57,710 $75,850 $100,390 $130,680 $160,460 $48.26 +1.7% -7.3%
All occupations
00-0000 · For comparison		 155,495,730 $31,200 $37,590 $50,980 $80,520 $128,560 $24.51 +3.0% +3.5%

For an entry-level software engineer salary, two data points help. The 25th percentile is $105,210. And on certified H-1B filings at Level I, the wage level the Labor Department reserves for “beginning level employees who have only a basic understanding of the occupation,” the median offer was $95,500. Adjacent roles start lower: the median QA analyst or tester earns $104,300, and computer programmers, the code that holds “Junior Software Developer,” $100,390. Programmer employment fell 16% in one year to 92,230, while software developer employment grew 2.0%. BLS projects software developer jobs to grow 10.2% from 2025 to 2035, with 95,300 openings a year.

Which industries pay software engineers most

Among the 26 industries with at least 10,000 software developers, web search portals, libraries, archives, and other information services pays the highest median ($213,520). Software publishers employ 173,080 at a $164,550 median. Computer systems design and related services, the industry that includes MSPs and IT consultancies, is by far the largest employer (515,410, 31% of the total) but ranks 19th of 26 at $132,050, below the national median. Employment services firms (NAICS 5613, which covers placement agencies, executive search and temporary staffing) pay a higher median ($139,720). Outside the table, the 6,650 software developers in taxi and ridesharing services, the 2022 NAICS industry that includes ride-hailing platforms, earn a $176,090 median.

# Industry Software developers 10th Median 90th
1 Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services
NAICS 5192		 43,300 $143,160 $213,520 $287,850
2 Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers
NAICS 5162		 24,090 $111,820 $179,020 $279,510
3 Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
NAICS 3344		 19,770 $101,440 $169,030 $271,270
4 Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
NAICS 3341		 13,430 $104,790 $168,400 $221,350
5 Software Publishers
NAICS 5132		 173,080 $82,180 $164,550 $218,330
6 Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities
NAICS 5230		 34,940 $104,600 $163,290 $245,380
7 Scientific Research and Development Services
NAICS 5417		 50,270 $96,810 $158,390 $227,070
8 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
NAICS 5182		 77,260 $81,410 $156,950 $221,560
9 Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing
NAICS 3345		 33,020 $92,970 $154,470 $215,140
10 Nondepository Credit Intermediation
NAICS 5222		 14,380 $100,490 $145,030 $212,800
11 Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
NAICS 4234		 32,170 $84,420 $140,070 $210,200
12 Employment Services
NAICS 5613		 37,540 $84,010 $139,720 $209,640
13 Telecommunications
NAICS 5170		 18,250 $95,100 $138,800 $203,750
14 Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only)
OEWS code 5220A1		 52,970 $99,240 $136,620 $204,270
15 Management of Companies and Enterprises
NAICS 5511		 103,450 $93,590 $135,680 $207,070
16 Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
NAICS 3364		 22,750 $101,150 $135,490 $213,320
17 Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
NAICS 5416		 55,330 $83,960 $133,870 $215,660
18 Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only)
OEWS code 4230A1		 10,500 $82,230 $132,900 $194,940
19 Computer Systems Design and Related Services
NAICS 5415		 515,410 $79,740 $132,050 $212,340
20 Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
NAICS 5413		 43,470 $82,380 $131,520 $207,030
21 Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
NAICS 5419		 12,730 $80,260 $130,850 $207,610
22 Insurance Carriers
NAICS 5241		 43,010 $81,800 $130,840 $168,570
23 Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities
NAICS 5242		 20,730 $82,800 $130,510 $168,810
24 Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services
NAICS 5412		 11,640 $78,540 $130,230 $198,490
25 Local Government (excl. schools, hospitals)
OEWS code 999300		 11,330 $80,360 $122,920 $158,300
26 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
NAICS 6113		 10,890 $73,770 $104,670 $155,820

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates (4-digit NAICS, all ownerships). Private employers pay a $136,480 median to 1,656,520 software developers; government employers $107,880 to 31,380.

H-1B offers vs BLS pay in the same metro

What LCA wages are

Before filing an H-1B petition, an employer must get a labor condition application certified by the Department of Labor. The LCA states the wage the employer will pay at the first worksite and the prevailing wage for the job and place, with one of four wage levels. These are employer-stated offers on filings, not payroll records: one LCA can cover several positions, not every LCA becomes a petition or a hire, and we use the lower bound when a range is given. They are base wages and exclude bonuses and stock.

Nationally, the median H-1B offer for software developers ($136,000) is almost identical to the BLS median ($135,980). That hides a local gap. Matched to the metro of the first worksite (99% of filings matched), 64% of offers were below the BLS median for software developers in the same metro, and the typical offer was 8% below it. In 19 of the 20 metros with the most filings, the median offer sat below the local BLS median. The exception was Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR, where offers ran 15% above a $105,130 local median.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025 Median H-1B LCA offered wage, FY2025 (gray number = certified LCAs)

$100K$120K$140K$160K$180K$200K$220KGAPDallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX: median offered wage on 21,616 certified H-1B LCAs $112,986; BLS OEWS median $133,290; 70% of offers below the BLS medianDallas, TX 21,616-15%San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: median offered wage on 18,072 certified H-1B LCAs $186,000; BLS OEWS median $213,110; 74% of offers below the BLS medianSan Jose, CA 18,072-13%Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: median offered wage on 16,535 certified H-1B LCAs $165,000; BLS OEWS median $167,280; 53% of offers below the BLS medianSeattle, WA 16,535-1%New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ: median offered wage on 13,482 certified H-1B LCAs $151,819; BLS OEWS median $166,830; 64% of offers below the BLS medianNew York, NY 13,482-9%San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA: median offered wage on 9,561 certified H-1B LCAs $186,552; BLS OEWS median $186,640; 50% of offers below the BLS medianSan Francisco, CA 9,5610%Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA: median offered wage on 7,014 certified H-1B LCAs $122,970; BLS OEWS median $132,960; 65% of offers below the BLS medianAtlanta, GA 7,014-8%Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX: median offered wage on 6,676 certified H-1B LCAs $132,267; BLS OEWS median $134,120; 53% of offers below the BLS medianAustin, TX 6,676-1%Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN: median offered wage on 5,373 certified H-1B LCAs $127,754; BLS OEWS median $134,380; 60% of offers below the BLS medianChicago, IL 5,373-5%Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV: median offered wage on 4,963 certified H-1B LCAs $126,100; BLS OEWS median $154,930; 77% of offers below the BLS medianWashington, DC 4,963-19%Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC: median offered wage on 4,132 certified H-1B LCAs $130,000; BLS OEWS median $135,920; 68% of offers below the BLS medianCharlotte, NC 4,132-4%Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH: median offered wage on 3,838 certified H-1B LCAs $145,000; BLS OEWS median $166,090; 73% of offers below the BLS medianBoston, MA 3,838-13%Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD: median offered wage on 3,277 certified H-1B LCAs $123,009; BLS OEWS median $133,040; 62% of offers below the BLS medianPhiladelphia, PA 3,277-8%Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX: median offered wage on 3,177 certified H-1B LCAs $105,997; BLS OEWS median $129,440; 72% of offers below the BLS medianHouston, TX 3,177-18%Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI: median offered wage on 2,892 certified H-1B LCAs $115,000; BLS OEWS median $130,760; 63% of offers below the BLS medianDetroit, MI 2,892-12%Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ: median offered wage on 2,891 certified H-1B LCAs $112,986; BLS OEWS median $131,750; 68% of offers below the BLS medianPhoenix, AZ 2,891-14%Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: median offered wage on 2,674 certified H-1B LCAs $151,496; BLS OEWS median $160,920; 66% of offers below the BLS medianLos Angeles, CA 2,674-6%Raleigh-Cary, NC: median offered wage on 2,214 certified H-1B LCAs $125,000; BLS OEWS median $132,770; 62% of offers below the BLS medianRaleigh, NC 2,214-6%Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR: median offered wage on 2,047 certified H-1B LCAs $120,899; BLS OEWS median $105,130; 25% of offers below the BLS medianFayetteville, AR 2,047+15%Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL: median offered wage on 1,932 certified H-1B LCAs $120,000; BLS OEWS median $130,450; 61% of offers below the BLS medianTampa, FL 1,932-8%San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA: median offered wage on 1,833 certified H-1B LCAs $152,027; BLS OEWS median $163,270; 72% of offers below the BLS medianSan Diego, CA 1,833-7%

Sources: DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data FY2025 (Q1 to Q4, deduplicated by case number); BLS OEWS May 2025 metro medians. Worksites matched to metros by county name, or by ZIP code where the county was blank.

Dallas-Fort Worth had the most filings (21,616) and one of the largest gaps: a $112,986 median offer against a $133,290 BLS median. 3,782 Dallas filings offered exactly $105,997, and 36% of all filings nationwide offered exactly the prevailing wage. The wage levels explain most of the gap. 54% of filings were at Level I or II, and 98% of Level I and 85% of Level II offers were below the local median; at Level IV, only 0.7% were. Our H-1B statistics report covers the lottery, employers and the wage-weighted selection rule.

Metro (20 with most filings) Certified LCAs Median offer BLS median Gap Offers below BLS median Median prevailing wage
Dallas, TX 21,616 $112,986 $133,290 -15% 70% $105,997
San Jose, CA 18,072 $186,000 $213,110 -13% 74% $172,931
Seattle, WA 16,535 $165,000 $167,280 -1% 53% $137,259
New York, NY 13,482 $151,819 $166,830 -9% 64% $123,656
San Francisco, CA 9,561 $186,552 $186,640 0% 50% $161,637
Atlanta, GA 7,014 $122,970 $132,960 -8% 65% $105,227
Austin, TX 6,676 $132,267 $134,120 -1% 53% $114,754
Chicago, IL 5,373 $127,754 $134,380 -5% 60% $108,077
Washington, DC 4,963 $126,100 $154,930 -19% 77% $122,699
Charlotte, NC 4,132 $130,000 $135,920 -4% 68% $112,986
Boston, MA 3,838 $145,000 $166,090 -13% 73% $122,970
Philadelphia, PA 3,277 $123,009 $133,040 -8% 62% $109,845
Houston, TX 3,177 $105,997 $129,440 -18% 72% $103,210
Detroit, MI 2,892 $115,000 $130,760 -12% 63% $102,190
Phoenix, AZ 2,891 $112,986 $131,750 -14% 68% $105,976
Los Angeles, CA 2,674 $151,496 $160,920 -6% 66% $126,942
Raleigh, NC 2,214 $125,000 $132,770 -6% 62% $113,547
Fayetteville, AR 2,047 $120,899 $105,130 +15% 25% $83,325
Tampa, FL 1,932 $120,000 $130,450 -8% 61% $100,797
San Diego, CA 1,833 $152,027 $163,270 -7% 72% $130,187

Offers by wage level

Wage level Share of filings Median offer Below metro BLS median
Level I 13.2% $95,500 98%
Level II 40.5% $120,000 85%
Level III 19.8% $152,000 38%
Level IV 15.8% $176,134 1%
No OEWS level (other wage source) 10.6% $147,740 81%

Levels are DOL prevailing wage levels: I is entry, IV is fully competent. Share of filings uses all 168,627 LCAs; the last column uses the 166,214 matched to a metro with a published BLS median.

What this means for MSPs

You compete for developers with higher-paying industries. Computer systems design firms pay software developers a $132,050 median, below the national $135,980 and well below software publishers ($164,550). An MSP hiring for automation, integrations or internal tooling should expect candidates to compare offers against those employers, not only against other IT service firms.

Price the role by metro and by percentile. A junior developer is not a median developer: the national 25th percentile ($105,210) is a reasonable anchor for a first hire, and the median for a developer who works independently. Then use the metro table above, since local medians range from $97,120 to $213,110 among large markets.

Check whether the job is really software development. Scripting and test work may fit QA analysts and testers ($104,300 median) or computer programmers ($100,390). For security engineering, compare with our cybersecurity salary pay ladder.

If you sponsor H-1B workers, look past the national number. The national median offer matches BLS, but most Level I and II offers sit below the local median. Pricing a sponsored role at the prevailing wage for a low level may leave it below what the local market pays.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a software engineer make?

The median software developer, the BLS occupation that includes the title software engineer, earned $135,980 a year in May 2025, or $65.38 an hour and about $11,332 a month before taxes. Half earned between $105,210 and $171,980.

What is the entry level software engineer salary?

BLS does not record experience, so the closest measures are the low percentiles: $82,460 at the 10th and $105,210 at the 25th. On certified H-1B filings at Level I, which the Labor Department defines as entry level, the median offered wage was $95,500. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry education.

Can I make $200K a year as a software engineer?

Yes, though most do not. The national 90th percentile is $214,670, so more than one in ten software developers earns over $200,000. San Jose is the only metro with a median above $200,000 ($213,110), and 64 of 377 metros have a 90th percentile of $200,000 or more. 10% of H-1B offers for the occupation were $200,000 or higher.

Which state pays software engineers the most?

California, with a $174,410 median for software developers. After adjusting for local prices with BEA Regional Price Parities, California still ranks first at $157,523, followed by Massachusetts and Washington. Mississippi has the lowest nominal median, $95,330.

What are the highest paying cities for software engineers?

Among metros with at least 1,000 software developers, San Jose leads at $213,110, followed by San Francisco, CA ($186,640), Seattle, WA ($167,280), New York, NY ($166,830) and Boston, MA ($166,090). Adjusted for local prices, Boulder, CO moves up to third.

Do software engineers make good money compared with other IT jobs?

Yes. The $135,980 median is 2.7 times the $50,980 median for all U.S. occupations. Among detailed computer occupations it ranks 3rd, behind computer and information research scientists ($140,300) and database architects ($139,500). Computer and information systems managers earn more, a $175,140 median.

Download the data. software-engineer-salary-bls-oews-2025.csv (CSV). Licensed under CC BY 4.0: free to reuse with attribution to The Uptime Report.

Methodology

Sources. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 national, state, metropolitan area, 4-digit industry and ownership files, plus May 2024 national, downloaded October 2026. BLS OEWS May 2025 area definitions. BEA Regional Price Parities, all items, 2024, by state and by metropolitan statistical area. BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2. The 2018 SOC direct match title file. DOL OFLC LCA disclosure files for FY2025, quarters 1 to 4. Census 2024 Gazetteer (CBSA internal points), Census 2020 ZCTA to county relationship file, and the us-atlas state outlines (ISC licence, derived from Census boundaries) for the map.

Definitions. “Software engineer salary” here means OEWS wages for Software Developers (SOC 15-1252). OEWS wages are straight-time gross pay, including base rate and incentive pay such as commissions and production bonuses, and excluding overtime, nonproduction bonuses and employer-paid benefits. Annual figures are hourly rates times 2,080 hours. Cost-adjusted medians divide the median by the area’s 2024 Regional Price Parity over 100. Metro rankings use the 116 metros with at least 1,000 software developers; the map shows every metro with a published median.

H-1B LCAs. We kept FY2025 H-1B cases with status Certified, full-time, SOC 15-1252, deduplicated by case number (later quarter wins), and annualized the lower bound of the offered wage (hourly times 2,080, weekly times 52, biweekly times 26, monthly times 12), dropping values under $20,000 or over $1 million (337 rows). Worksites were matched to OEWS May 2025 metro areas by state and county name, or, where the county was blank or unmatched (most of the fourth-quarter file), by the ZIP code’s main county in the Census ZCTA file. Where both methods worked they agreed for 99% of filings. Connecticut worksites with no county name are unmatched because Census ZIP files still use the old Connecticut counties. Only the first worksite on each LCA is used.

Limitations. OEWS does not report experience, job title, remote status or equity pay, and it suppresses estimates that fail its reliability standards. Each release pools six survey panels over three years, and May 2024 and May 2025 share four, so treat one-year changes as indicative. LCA wages are offers on filings, not wages paid, and the H-1B workforce differs from the whole occupation in experience. Not advice: these are labor market statistics, not a compensation recommendation for any role.

Cite as:The Uptime Report. "Software Engineer Salary 2026: $135,980 Nationally, $213,110 in San Jose, and H-1B Offers Below Local Pay in 19 of 20 Hubs." October 2026. https://theuptimereport.com/software-engineer-salary-2026/

References

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS tables and special request files (oesm25nat, oesm25st, oesm25ma, oesm25in4, oesm24nat). Accessed October 2026.
  2. BLS, OEWS May 2025 technical notes. Accessed October 2026.
  3. BLS, OEWS May 2025 metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area definitions. Accessed October 2026.
  4. BLS, 2018 SOC direct match title file. Accessed October 2026.
  5. BLS Employment Projections, occupational projections and worker characteristics, 2025 to 2035. Accessed October 2026.
  6. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state (SARPP) and by metropolitan area (MARPP), 2008 to 2024. Accessed October 2026.
  7. U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Performance Data: LCA disclosure files FY2025 Q1 to Q4. Accessed October 2026.
  8. DOL OFLC, LCA disclosure data record layout, FY2025 Q4. Accessed October 2026.
  9. DOL Employment and Training Administration, Prevailing Wage Determination Policy Guidance (revised November 2009). Accessed October 2026.
  10. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer file, core based statistical areas. Accessed October 2026.
  11. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA to county relationship file. Accessed October 2026.
  12. U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 NAICS 485310 Taxi and Ridesharing Services. Accessed October 2026.
  13. us-atlas 3.0.1, states-albers-10m (ISC licence). Accessed October 2026.

Research library

More original data reports from The Uptime Report. Every report includes its methodology and a free CSV download. Browse all research

Threats and breaches

Infrastructure and uptime

Regulation and disclosure

Workforce and pay

MSP market and spending

Comments

One response to “Software Engineer Salary 2026: $135,980 Nationally, $213,110 in San Jose, and H-1B Offers Below Local Pay in 19 of 20 Hubs”

  1. Network Engineer Salary 2026: Architects vs Admins by State

    […] and pay for the adjacent security, development and support roles is in our cybersecurity salary, software engineer salary and help desk salary […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts