Software Engineer Salary Overview
The Software Engineer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $132,270. Compensation typically ranges from $78,200 for entry-level positions to $215,400 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Software Engineer in the US earns between $78,200 and $215,400 per year, with a median of $132,270.
Software Engineer Salary by Experience
Entry-level software engineers earn around $85,976, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $178,564 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $88,621 | $43/hr | $66,351 |
| Mid | $132,270 | $64/hr | $92,721 |
| Senior | $177,242 | $85/hr | $119,348 |
| Lead | $201,050 | $97/hr | $134,873 |
Software Engineer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Software Engineer in each US state.
Pay for software engineers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,448 | $10,119 | $94,711 | 28.4% |
| Alaska | $132,270 | $20,992 | $0 | $10,119 | $101,160 | 23.5% |
| Arizona | $132,270 | $20,992 | $2,942 | $10,119 | $98,218 | 25.7% |
| Arkansas | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,594 | $10,119 | $95,566 | 27.7% |
| California | $132,270 | $20,992 | $8,439 | $10,119 | $92,721 | 29.9% |
| Colorado | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,160 | $10,119 | $96,000 | 27.4% |
| Connecticut | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,686 | $10,119 | $94,473 | 28.6% |
| Delaware | $132,270 | $20,992 | $7,499 | $10,119 | $93,661 | 29.2% |
| District of Columbia | $132,270 | $20,992 | $8,402 | $10,119 | $92,758 | 29.9% |
| Florida | $132,270 | $20,992 | $0 | $10,119 | $101,160 | 23.5% |
| Georgia | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,603 | $10,119 | $94,557 | 28.5% |
| Hawaii | $132,270 | $20,992 | $9,984 | $10,119 | $91,175 | 31.1% |
| Idaho | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,825 | $10,119 | $94,335 | 28.7% |
| Illinois | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,410 | $10,119 | $94,750 | 28.4% |
| Indiana | $132,270 | $20,992 | $4,034 | $10,119 | $97,125 | 26.6% |
| Iowa | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,026 | $10,119 | $96,133 | 27.3% |
| Kansas | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,882 | $10,119 | $94,277 | 28.7% |
| Kentucky | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,164 | $10,119 | $95,995 | 27.4% |
| Louisiana | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,040 | $10,119 | $96,119 | 27.3% |
| Maine | $132,270 | $20,992 | $7,920 | $10,119 | $93,240 | 29.5% |
| Maryland | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,195 | $10,119 | $94,964 | 28.2% |
| Massachusetts | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,394 | $10,119 | $94,766 | 28.4% |
| Michigan | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,383 | $10,119 | $95,776 | 27.6% |
| Minnesota | $132,270 | $20,992 | $7,687 | $10,119 | $93,473 | 29.3% |
| Mississippi | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,639 | $10,119 | $95,521 | 27.8% |
| Missouri | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,478 | $10,119 | $95,682 | 27.7% |
| Montana | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,697 | $10,119 | $94,463 | 28.6% |
| Nebraska | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,204 | $10,119 | $94,956 | 28.2% |
| Nevada | $132,270 | $20,992 | $0 | $10,119 | $101,160 | 23.5% |
| New Hampshire | $132,270 | $20,992 | $0 | $10,119 | $101,160 | 23.5% |
| New Jersey | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,299 | $10,119 | $94,860 | 28.3% |
| New Mexico | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,486 | $10,119 | $95,673 | 27.7% |
| New York | $132,270 | $20,992 | $7,231 | $10,119 | $93,929 | 29.0% |
| North Carolina | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,378 | $10,119 | $95,781 | 27.6% |
| North Dakota | $132,270 | $20,992 | $2,295 | $10,119 | $98,865 | 25.3% |
| Ohio | $132,270 | $20,992 | $3,159 | $10,119 | $98,000 | 25.9% |
| Oklahoma | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,793 | $10,119 | $95,367 | 27.9% |
| Oregon | $132,270 | $20,992 | $11,100 | $10,119 | $90,059 | 31.9% |
| Pennsylvania | $132,270 | $20,992 | $4,061 | $10,119 | $97,099 | 26.6% |
| Rhode Island | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,047 | $10,119 | $96,112 | 27.3% |
| South Carolina | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,838 | $10,119 | $94,322 | 28.7% |
| South Dakota | $132,270 | $20,992 | $0 | $10,119 | $101,160 | 23.5% |
| Tennessee | $132,270 | $20,992 | $0 | $10,119 | $101,160 | 23.5% |
| Texas | $132,270 | $20,992 | $0 | $10,119 | $101,160 | 23.5% |
| Utah | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,151 | $10,119 | $95,009 | 28.2% |
| Vermont | $132,270 | $20,992 | $6,941 | $10,119 | $94,219 | 28.8% |
| Virginia | $132,270 | $20,992 | $7,089 | $10,119 | $94,070 | 28.9% |
| Washington | $132,270 | $20,992 | $0 | $10,119 | $101,160 | 23.5% |
| West Virginia | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,884 | $10,119 | $95,276 | 28.0% |
| Wisconsin | $132,270 | $20,992 | $5,922 | $10,119 | $95,237 | 28.0% |
| Wyoming | $132,270 | $20,992 | $0 | $10,119 | $101,160 | 23.5% |
Top Cities for Software Engineer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for software engineers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $145,497 |
| Seattle, WA | $145,497 |
| New York, NY | $145,497 |
| Boston, MA | $145,497 |
| Denver, CO | $145,497 |
Calculate Software Engineer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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How to Become a Software Engineer
Becoming a software engineer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Software Engineer Career Outlook
Employment of software engineers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Software Engineer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for software engineers in the US is $132,270, with a typical range from $78,200 to $215,400 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for software engineers include CA, WA, NY. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level software engineers can expect to earn around $85,976 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a software engineer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for software engineers is approximately $63.59, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.