Technology Houston, TX Pop. 2,304,580

Software Engineer Salary in Houston, Texas

The median software engineer salary in Houston, TX is $126,684 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 4.1% above the Texas state average.

City Median
$126,684
vs State Avg
+$4,968
vs National
+$2,484
Cost of Living
96%

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

Houston offers a median software engineer salary of $126,684, which is $4,968 above the Texas state average of $121,716. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Houston pays above average for this role.

Houston's cost of living is 96% 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 Houston 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. As a major metro area with a population of 2,304,580, Houston typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Software Engineer Salary in Houston by Experience

In Houston, 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 96% 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 Houston, TX

Percentile Houston
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 Texas Cities

Austin, TX
$137,862
Pop. 978,908
Dallas, TX
$131,652
Pop. 1,304,379
Fort Worth, TX
$121,716
Pop. 918,915
San Antonio, TX
$116,748
Pop. 1,434,625

How to Become a Software Engineer in Houston

Education

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

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Houston

Browse open software engineer positions in Houston, TX:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Houston

How much does a Software Engineer make in Houston, TX? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Houston, Texas 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 Houston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $126,684, a software engineer in Houston earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Houston compare to the Texas state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Houston's median software engineer salary of $126,684 is 4.1% above the Texas state average of $121,716. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Houston, TX? ▼
Houston has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $126,684 in Houston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Houston? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Houston 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.