Technology Kansas City, MO Pop. 508,090

Software Engineer Salary in Kansas City, Missouri

The median software engineer salary in Kansas City, MO is $114,264 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 4.5% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$114,264
vs State Avg
+$4,968
vs National
$-9,936
Cost of Living
92%

Software Engineer Pay in Kansas City: What to Expect (2026)

Kansas City offers a median software engineer salary of $114,264, which is $4,968 above the Missouri state average of $109,296. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Kansas City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Kansas City's cost of living is 92% 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 Kansas City spans from $68,632 at the 10th percentile to $182,694 at the 90th percentile — a $114,062 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $71,760, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $170,200. As a major metro area with a population of 508,090, Kansas City typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Software Engineer Salary in Kansas City by Experience

In Kansas City, an entry-level software engineer earns around $71,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $170,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$71,760
$-6,240 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$115,000
$-10,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$170,200
$-14,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kansas City, MO

Percentile Kansas City
10th Percentile $68,632
25th Percentile $90,344
Median (50th) $114,264
75th Percentile $145,544
90th Percentile $182,694

Software Engineer Salary in Other Missouri Cities

Saint Louis, MO
$111,780
Pop. 301,578
Columbia, MO
$109,296
Pop. 126,254
Independence, MO
$105,570
Pop. 123,011
Springfield, MO
$101,844
Pop. 169,176

How to Become a Software Engineer in Kansas City

Education

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

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Kansas City

Browse open software engineer positions in Kansas City, MO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Kansas City

How much does a Software Engineer make in Kansas City, MO? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Kansas City, Missouri is $114,264 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $68,632 (10th percentile) to $182,694 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Kansas City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $114,264, a software engineer in Kansas City earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kansas City compare to the Missouri state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Kansas City's median software engineer salary of $114,264 is 4.5% above the Missouri state average of $109,296. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Kansas City, MO? ▼
Kansas City has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $114,264 in Kansas City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Kansas City? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Kansas City 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.