Software Engineer
A Software Engineer earns a median salary of $130,160 per year in the United States, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Software developers design and create computer applications. Software quality assurance (QA) analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects. Software developers typically have a bachelor's degree in computer science.
$130,160
Median Salary
$139,271
Mean Salary
1,795,900
Total Employment
25%
Job Growth
Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
Education
502,852
Openings/Year
Figures on this page are modeled estimates built from public BLS and NCES occupational and institutional categories, not official government reporting. Use them as directional guidance, not exact figures.
Salary Distribution
10th Percentile $78,096
25th Percentile $101,525
Median $130,160
75th Percentile $166,605
90th Percentile $218,669
Salary Map
Lower Mid Higher
Top Employing States
California 157,725
New York 117,631
Texas 110,708
Illinois 85,190
Pennsylvania 81,817
Salary by State
| # | State | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $218,313 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $218,251 |
| 3 | California | $196,373 |
| 4 | New York | $195,950 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $194,932 |
| 6 | Washington | $178,154 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $175,148 |
| 8 | Maryland | $167,756 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $166,465 |
| 10 | Virginia | $163,221 |
| 11 | Oregon | $162,435 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $158,062 |
| 13 | Vermont | $156,679 |
| 14 | Delaware | $150,012 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $149,788 |
| 16 | Alaska | $141,372 |
| 17 | Montana | $134,131 |
| 18 | Missouri | $134,075 |
| 19 | Louisiana | $133,160 |
| 20 | Ohio | $132,778 |
| 21 | Alabama | $129,503 |
| 22 | Florida | $129,483 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $127,922 |
| 24 | Illinois | $127,657 |
| 25 | South Dakota | $127,589 |
| 26 | Nevada | $127,100 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $126,940 |
| 28 | Colorado | $126,875 |
| 29 | Georgia | $126,565 |
| 30 | Maine | $125,096 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $124,474 |
| 32 | Utah | $122,749 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $122,150 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $121,261 |
| 35 | Iowa | $121,139 |
| 36 | Idaho | $119,355 |
| 37 | Kansas | $118,178 |
| 38 | Michigan | $117,854 |
| 39 | Arizona | $116,850 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $113,141 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $112,141 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $111,289 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $110,893 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $110,361 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $109,279 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $107,297 |
| 47 | North Dakota | $106,259 |
| 48 | Texas | $105,739 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $104,907 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $101,182 |
| 51 | Indiana | $101,069 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a Software Engineer?
The median salary for a Software Engineer is $130,160 per year nationally. Salaries range from $78,096 (10th percentile) to $218,669 (90th percentile).
What education do you need to become a Software Engineer?
A Software Engineer typically requires a bachelor's degree.
What is the job outlook for Software Engineers?
Employment of software engineers is projected to grow 25%, described as much faster than average. About 502,852 openings are expected each year.
Which state pays Software Engineers the most?
Massachusetts pays the highest median salary for software engineers at $218,313 per year.
Colleges to Consider for a Career as a Software Engineer
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