Software Engineer Salary
Software engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. They apply engineering principles and programming languages to build solutions that meet user needs.
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level software engineers earn around $78,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $125,000. Senior-level software engineers can earn $185,000 or more.
You May Qualify for Premium Rewards
Professionals earning $124,200+ often qualify for premium rewards cards with $500+ signup bonuses and 2–5% cashback on every purchase.
View Offers You Qualify For →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for software engineers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $74,600, while the top 10% earn $198,580.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,200 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $124,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,580 |
Software Engineer Salary by State
Software Engineer salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $204,930, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $93,150.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $204,930 | Details → |
| #2 California | $190,026 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $180,090 | Details → |
| #4 New York | $163,944 | Details → |
| #5 Washington | $157,734 | Details → |
| #6 Alaska | $150,282 | Details → |
| #7 New Jersey | $150,282 | Details → |
| #8 Maryland | $144,072 | Details → |
| #9 Oregon | $144,072 | Details → |
| #10 Connecticut | $142,830 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $140,346 | Details → |
| #12 Virginia | $139,104 | Details → |
| #13 New Hampshire | $132,894 | Details → |
| #14 Rhode Island | $131,652 | Details → |
| #15 Utah | $126,684 | Details → |
| #16 Delaware | $125,442 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $124,200 | Details → |
| #18 Illinois | $124,200 | Details → |
| #19 Minnesota | $124,200 | Details → |
| #20 Arizona | $122,958 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $122,958 | Details → |
| #22 Pennsylvania | $121,716 | Details → |
| #23 Texas | $121,716 | Details → |
| #24 Vermont | $121,716 | Details → |
| #25 Georgia | $119,232 | Details → |
| #26 North Carolina | $119,232 | Details → |
| #27 Maine | $117,990 | Details → |
| #28 Idaho | $116,748 | Details → |
| #29 New Mexico | $115,506 | Details → |
| #30 Wisconsin | $114,264 | Details → |
| #31 Montana | $113,022 | Details → |
| #32 Michigan | $111,780 | Details → |
| #33 Ohio | $111,780 | Details → |
| #34 Tennessee | $110,538 | Details → |
| #35 Indiana | $109,296 | Details → |
| #36 Missouri | $109,296 | Details → |
| #37 Nebraska | $109,296 | Details → |
| #38 Louisiana | $108,054 | Details → |
| #39 South Carolina | $108,054 | Details → |
| #40 Iowa | $106,812 | Details → |
| #41 North Dakota | $106,812 | Details → |
| #42 Wyoming | $106,812 | Details → |
| #43 Kansas | $104,328 | Details → |
| #44 Kentucky | $103,086 | Details → |
| #45 South Dakota | $103,086 | Details → |
| #46 Alabama | $101,844 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $101,844 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $96,876 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $94,392 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $93,150 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Software Engineers who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $60,800 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Analyze user requirements and design software solutions
- ● Write clean, maintainable code in languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript
- ● Conduct code reviews and collaborate with cross-functional teams
- ● Debug and resolve software defects and performance issues
- ● Deploy applications and maintain CI/CD pipelines
Top Skills
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook
Much faster than average — projected 25% growth over the next decade
Open to New Software Engineer Opportunities?
Get matched with recruiters hiring software engineers at competitive salaries. We'll connect you with opportunities — no spam, no job boards.
Or browse open positions directly: