Technology Providence, RI Pop. 190,934

Software Engineer Salary in Providence, Rhode Island

The median software engineer salary in Providence, RI is $135,378 per year, which is 9.0% above the national median and 2.8% above the Rhode Island state average.

City Median
$135,378
vs State Avg
+$3,726
vs National
+$11,178
Cost of Living
108%

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

Providence offers a median software engineer salary of $135,378, which is $3,726 above the Rhode Island state average of $131,652. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Providence pays above average for this role.

Providence's cost of living is 108% 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 Providence spans from $81,314 at the 10th percentile to $216,452 at the 90th percentile — a $135,138 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $85,020, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $201,650. With a population of 190,934, Providence is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Providence by Experience

In Providence, an entry-level software engineer earns around $85,020, while experienced professionals earn up to $201,650 per year. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$85,020
+$7,020 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$136,250
+$11,250 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$201,650
+$16,650 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Providence, RI

Percentile Providence
10th Percentile $81,314
25th Percentile $107,038
Median (50th) $135,378
75th Percentile $172,438
90th Percentile $216,452

Software Engineer Salary in Other Rhode Island Cities

Warwick, RI
$127,926
Pop. 82,823
Cranston, RI
$125,442
Pop. 82,934
East Providence, RI
$122,958
Pop. 47,139
Pawtucket, RI
$120,474
Pop. 75,604

How to Become a Software Engineer in Providence

Education

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

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Providence

Browse open software engineer positions in Providence, RI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Providence

How much does a Software Engineer make in Providence, RI? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Providence, Rhode Island is $135,378 per year, which is 9.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $81,314 (10th percentile) to $216,452 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Providence? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $135,378, a software engineer in Providence earns approximately $65 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Providence compare to the Rhode Island state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Providence's median software engineer salary of $135,378 is 2.8% above the Rhode Island state average of $131,652. The local cost of living index is 108% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Providence, RI? ▼
Providence has a cost of living index of 108% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $135,378 in Providence has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Providence? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Providence 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.