Technology Owensboro, KY Pop. 60,183

Software Engineer Salary in Owensboro, Kentucky

The median software engineer salary in Owensboro, KY is $96,876 per year, which is 22% below the national median and 6% below the Kentucky state average.

City Median
$96,876
vs State Avg
$-6,210
vs National
$-27,324
Cost of Living
82%

Software Engineer Pay in Owensboro: What to Expect (2026)

Owensboro offers a median software engineer salary of $96,876, which is $6,210 below the Kentucky state average of $103,086. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Owensboro pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Owensboro's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $96,876 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $118,141 in an average-cost city. This makes Owensboro an attractive option for software engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for software engineers in Owensboro spans from $58,188 at the 10th percentile to $154,892 at the 90th percentile — a $96,704 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,840, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $144,300. Owensboro is a smaller market (pop. 60,183), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Software Engineer Salary in Owensboro by Experience

In Owensboro, an entry-level software engineer earns around $60,840, while experienced professionals earn up to $144,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,840
$-17,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,500
$-27,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$144,300
$-40,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Owensboro, KY

Percentile Owensboro
10th Percentile $58,188
25th Percentile $76,596
Median (50th) $96,876
75th Percentile $123,396
90th Percentile $154,892

Software Engineer Salary in Other Kentucky Cities

How to Become a Software Engineer in Owensboro

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Owensboro and the surrounding Kentucky area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Owensboro may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Owensboro

Browse open software engineer positions in Owensboro, KY:

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Owensboro

How much does a Software Engineer make in Owensboro, KY? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Owensboro, Kentucky is $96,876 per year, which is 22% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $58,188 (10th percentile) to $154,892 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Owensboro? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $96,876, a software engineer in Owensboro earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Owensboro compare to the Kentucky state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Owensboro's median software engineer salary of $96,876 is 6% below the Kentucky state average of $103,086. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Owensboro, KY? ▼
Owensboro has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $96,876 in Owensboro has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Owensboro? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Owensboro require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.