Technology Paterson, NJ Pop. 159,732

Software Engineer Salary in Paterson, New Jersey

The median software engineer salary in Paterson, NJ is $137,862 per year, which is 11.0% above the national median and 8.3% below the New Jersey state average.

City Median
$137,862
vs State Avg
$-12,420
vs National
+$13,662
Cost of Living
105%

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

Paterson offers a median software engineer salary of $137,862, which is $12,420 below the New Jersey state average of $150,282. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Paterson pays above average for this role.

Paterson's cost of living is 105% 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 Paterson spans from $82,806 at the 10th percentile to $220,424 at the 90th percentile — a $137,618 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $86,580, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $205,350. With a population of 159,732, Paterson is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Paterson by Experience

In Paterson, an entry-level software engineer earns around $86,580, while experienced professionals earn up to $205,350 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$86,580
+$8,580 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$138,750
+$13,750 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$205,350
+$20,350 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Paterson, NJ

Percentile Paterson
10th Percentile $82,806
25th Percentile $109,002
Median (50th) $137,862
75th Percentile $175,602
90th Percentile $220,424

Software Engineer Salary in Other New Jersey Cities

Jersey City, NJ
$166,428
Pop. 292,449
Edison, NJ
$150,282
Pop. 107,588
Newark, NJ
$146,556
Pop. 311,549
Elizabeth, NJ
$141,588
Pop. 137,298

How to Become a Software Engineer in Paterson

Education

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

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Paterson

Browse open software engineer positions in Paterson, NJ:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Paterson

How much does a Software Engineer make in Paterson, NJ? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Paterson, New Jersey is $137,862 per year, which is 11.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $82,806 (10th percentile) to $220,424 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Paterson? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $137,862, a software engineer in Paterson earns approximately $66 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Paterson compare to the New Jersey state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Paterson's median software engineer salary of $137,862 is 8.3% below the New Jersey state average of $150,282. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Paterson, NJ? ▼
Paterson has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $137,862 in Paterson has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Paterson? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Paterson 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.