Technology Baltimore, MD Pop. 585,708

Software Engineer Salary in Baltimore, Maryland

The median software engineer salary in Baltimore, MD is $141,588 per year, which is 14.0% above the national median and 1.7% below the Maryland state average.

City Median
$141,588
vs State Avg
$-2,484
vs National
+$17,388
Cost of Living
108%

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

Baltimore offers a median software engineer salary of $141,588, which is $2,484 below the Maryland state average of $144,072. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Baltimore pays above average for this role.

Baltimore's cost of living is 108% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for software engineers in Baltimore spans from $85,044 at the 10th percentile to $226,381 at the 90th percentile — a $141,337 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $88,920, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $210,900. As a major metro area with a population of 585,708, Baltimore typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Software Engineer Salary in Baltimore by Experience

In Baltimore, an entry-level software engineer earns around $88,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $210,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$88,920
+$10,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$142,500
+$17,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$210,900
+$25,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Baltimore, MD

Percentile Baltimore
10th Percentile $85,044
25th Percentile $111,948
Median (50th) $141,588
75th Percentile $180,348
90th Percentile $226,381

Software Engineer Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$158,976
Pop. 81,015
Columbia, MD
$154,008
Pop. 104,681
Germantown, MD
$150,282
Pop. 90,676
Waldorf, MD
$137,862
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Software Engineer in Baltimore

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Baltimore and the surrounding Maryland 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 Baltimore may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Baltimore

Browse open software engineer positions in Baltimore, MD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Baltimore

How much does a Software Engineer make in Baltimore, MD? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Baltimore, Maryland is $141,588 per year, which is 14.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $85,044 (10th percentile) to $226,381 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Baltimore? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $141,588, a software engineer in Baltimore earns approximately $68 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Baltimore compare to the Maryland state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Baltimore's median software engineer salary of $141,588 is 1.7% below the Maryland state average of $144,072. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Baltimore, MD? ▼
Baltimore has a cost of living index of 108% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $141,588 in Baltimore has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Baltimore? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Baltimore 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.