Technology Rochester, MN Pop. 121,395

Software Engineer Salary in Rochester, Minnesota

The median software engineer salary in Rochester, MN is $125,442 per year, which is 1.0% above the national median and 1.0% above the Minnesota state average.

City Median
$125,442
vs State Avg
+$1,242
vs National
+$1,242
Cost of Living
98%

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

Rochester offers a median software engineer salary of $125,442, which is $1,242 above the Minnesota state average of $124,200. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Rochester pays above average for this role.

Rochester's cost of living is 98% 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 Rochester spans from $75,346 at the 10th percentile to $200,566 at the 90th percentile — a $125,220 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $78,780, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $186,850. With a population of 121,395, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, an entry-level software engineer earns around $78,780, while experienced professionals earn up to $186,850 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,780
+$780 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$126,250
+$1,250 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$186,850
+$1,850 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rochester, MN

Percentile Rochester
10th Percentile $75,346
25th Percentile $99,182
Median (50th) $125,442
75th Percentile $159,782
90th Percentile $200,566

Software Engineer Salary in Other Minnesota Cities

Minneapolis, MN
$134,136
Pop. 429,954
Bloomington, MN
$130,410
Pop. 89,987
Saint Paul, MN
$127,926
Pop. 311,527
Duluth, MN
$115,506
Pop. 90,884

How to Become a Software Engineer in Rochester

Education

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

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Rochester

Browse open software engineer positions in Rochester, MN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Rochester

How much does a Software Engineer make in Rochester, MN? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Rochester, Minnesota is $125,442 per year, which is 1.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $75,346 (10th percentile) to $200,566 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $125,442, a software engineer in Rochester earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the Minnesota state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Rochester's median software engineer salary of $125,442 is 1.0% above the Minnesota state average of $124,200. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rochester, MN? ▼
Rochester has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $125,442 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Rochester? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Rochester 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.