Software Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $111,780 (2026)

Software Engineer Pay in Winston-Salem: What to Expect (2026)

Winston-Salem offers a median software engineer salary of $111,780, which is $7,452 below the North Carolina state average of $119,232. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Winston-Salem pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Winston-Salem's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $111,780 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $129,977 in an average-cost city. This makes Winston-Salem an attractive option for software engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for software engineers in Winston-Salem spans from $67,140 at the 10th percentile to $178,722 at the 90th percentile — a $111,582 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,200, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $166,500. With a population of 249,545, Winston-Salem is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem by Experience

In Winston-Salem, an entry-level software engineer earns around $70,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $166,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$70,200

$-7,800 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$112,500

$-12,500 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$166,500

$-18,500 vs national

Percentile	Winston-Salem	NC State	National
10th Percentile	$67,140	$71,616	$74,600
25th Percentile	$88,380	$94,272	$98,200
Median (50th)	$111,780	$119,232	$124,200
75th Percentile	$142,380	$151,872	$158,200
90th Percentile	$178,722	$190,637	$198,580

Percentile

Winston-Salem

10th Percentile

$67,140

25th Percentile

$88,380

Median (50th)

$111,780

75th Percentile

$142,380

90th Percentile

$178,722

How to Become a Software Engineer in Winston-Salem

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem

How much does a Software Engineer make in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼

The median software engineer salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $111,780 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $67,140 (10th percentile) to $178,722 (90th percentile).

How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Winston-Salem? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $111,780, a software engineer in Winston-Salem earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Winston-Salem compare to the North Carolina state average for software engineer pay? ▼

Winston-Salem's median software engineer salary of $111,780 is 6.3% below the North Carolina state average of $119,232. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼

Winston-Salem has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $111,780 in Winston-Salem has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Winston-Salem? ▼

Most software engineer positions in Winston-Salem 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.

Software Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina