Technology Raleigh, NC Pop. 467,665

Software Engineer Salary in Raleigh, North Carolina

The median software engineer salary in Raleigh, NC is $126,684 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 6.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$126,684
vs State Avg
+$7,452
vs National
+$2,484
Cost of Living
98%

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

Raleigh offers a median software engineer salary of $126,684, which is $7,452 above the North Carolina state average of $119,232. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Raleigh pays above average for this role.

Raleigh'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 Raleigh spans from $76,092 at the 10th percentile to $202,552 at the 90th percentile — a $126,460 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $79,560, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $188,700. With a population of 467,665, Raleigh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Raleigh by Experience

In Raleigh, an entry-level software engineer earns around $79,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $188,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$79,560
+$1,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$127,500
+$2,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$188,700
+$3,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Raleigh, NC

Percentile Raleigh
10th Percentile $76,092
25th Percentile $100,164
Median (50th) $126,684
75th Percentile $161,364
90th Percentile $202,552

Software Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$126,684
Pop. 874,579
Durham, NC
$122,958
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$114,264
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$111,780
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Software Engineer in Raleigh

Education

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

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Raleigh

Browse open software engineer positions in Raleigh, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Raleigh

How much does a Software Engineer make in Raleigh, NC? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Raleigh, North Carolina is $126,684 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $76,092 (10th percentile) to $202,552 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Raleigh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $126,684, a software engineer in Raleigh earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Raleigh compare to the North Carolina state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Raleigh's median software engineer salary of $126,684 is 6.3% above the North Carolina state average of $119,232. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Raleigh, NC? ▼
Raleigh has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $126,684 in Raleigh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Raleigh? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Raleigh 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.