Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
- 1.Median software engineer salary is $130,160/year with 1.79 million jobs in the US according to BLS OEWS 2024 data
- 2.Top-paying metros: San Jose ($180K), Seattle ($165K), San Francisco ($161K)—but cost-of-living offsets much of the premium
- 3.25% job growth projected 2022-2032, adding 410,400 new positions—much faster than average for all occupations
- 4.Total compensation at FAANG companies averages $350K+ for senior engineers, with Staff reaching $500K-$700K total comp
- 5.Skills premiums: ML/AI (+20%), Cloud/Distributed Systems (+15%), Security (+12%) over baseline software engineering rates
Software Engineer Salary Overview 2025
Software engineering remains one of the highest-paid professions in the United States, with median compensation significantly exceeding most other occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024 data, software developers earn a median salary of $130,160 annually, with 1.79 million professionals employed nationwide.
Understanding the full picture of software engineer compensation requires looking beyond base salary. At major tech companies, total compensation—including stock grants, bonuses, and benefits—can be 2-3x the base salary, particularly at senior levels. Our analysis covers both base salary (BLS data) and total compensation (Levels.fyi data) to give you a complete picture.
The software engineering field shows strong growth prospects with 25% projected job growth from 2022-2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. This translates to approximately 410,400 new jobs over the decade, driven by increased demand for software across all industries and emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing.
For those considering a career in software engineering, explore our comprehensive guides on how to become a software engineer or learn about the software engineer career ladder progression.
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level
| Entry/Junior (L3) | 0-2 years | $75,000-$95,000 | $120,000-$180,000 | 25% |
| Mid-Level (L4) | 2-5 years | $95,000-$140,000 | $180,000-$280,000 | 35% |
| Senior (L5) | 5-8 years | $140,000-$185,000 | $280,000-$400,000 | 25% |
| Staff (L6) | 8-12 years | $180,000-$250,000 | $400,000-$600,000 | 10% |
| Principal (L7) | 12+ years | $220,000-$350,000 | $600,000-$900,000 | 4% |
| Distinguished (L8+) | 15+ years | $300,000-$500,000 | $800,000-$1,500,000+ | 1% |
The largest salary jumps occur at the senior level (L5) and staff level (L6), where engineers often see 30-50% compensation increases. These levels require demonstrated technical leadership and system design capabilities beyond individual contribution.
Software Engineer Salary by Metro Area
| # | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $180,320 | 98,420 | 272 |
| 2 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $165,750 | 112,340 | 182 |
| 3 | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $160,870 | 71,280 | 240 |
| 4 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $145,280 | 134,560 | 235 |
| 5 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $135,420 | 78,940 | 192 |
| 6 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $134,890 | 67,320 | 185 |
| 7 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD | $132,450 | 98,760 | 164 |
| 8 | Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX | $128,750 | 52,480 | 123 |
| 9 | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $126,340 | 43,120 | 145 |
| 10 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $124,560 | 38,970 | 178 |
Software Engineer Salary: Cost-of-Living Reality Check
Raw salary numbers can be misleading without cost-of-living context. While San Jose offers the highest nominal salaries ($180K median), a COL index of 272 means your purchasing power is actually less than someone earning $128K in Austin (COL index 123).
When adjusting for cost-of-living using Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities data, the salary advantage of expensive metros diminishes significantly. Here's how major tech hubs compare when normalized for purchasing power:
| Metro Area | Median Salary | COL Index | Adjusted Equivalent | Real Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $128,750 | 123 | $104,675 | +$35,675 |
| Denver, CO | $126,340 | 145 | $87,131 | +$18,131 |
| Seattle, WA | $165,750 | 182 | $91,071 | +$22,071 |
| San Jose, CA | $180,320 | 272 | $66,294 | Baseline |
| New York, NY | $145,280 | 235 | $61,821 | -$4,473 |
| San Francisco, CA | $160,870 | 240 | $67,029 | +$735 |
Software Engineer Salary by Company Type
Company type dramatically impacts compensation structure and total pay. FAANG and top-tier tech companies typically pay 50-100% more than traditional enterprises for equivalent experience levels, but this premium comes with higher performance expectations, more rigorous interviews, and often longer hours.
| Company Type | Entry Level | Senior Level | Staff Level | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAANG (Meta, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google) | $150K-$200K TC | $300K-$450K TC | $500K-$700K TC | Highest total comp, rigorous interviews, stock upside |
| Top Tech (Microsoft, Uber, Stripe, Airbnb) | $130K-$180K TC | $250K-$380K TC | $400K-$550K TC | Strong compensation, good work-life balance |
| Unicorn Startups (Pre-IPO) | $120K-$160K TC | $200K-$320K TC | $300K-$450K TC | Equity upside potential, higher risk |
| Mid-Stage Startups | $100K-$140K TC | $160K-$240K TC | $220K-$320K TC | More equity, faster growth, moderate risk |
| Enterprise/Fortune 500 | $80K-$110K | $130K-$180K | $180K-$250K | Stable employment, good benefits, slower pace |
| Consulting (Accenture, Deloitte) | $90K-$130K | $150K-$220K | $200K-$300K | Travel required, diverse projects, client focus |
| Early-Stage Startup | $80K-$120K + equity | $120K-$180K + equity | $150K-$220K + equity | High risk/reward, significant equity grants |
Software Engineer Total Compensation Breakdown
Total compensation at tech companies includes multiple components beyond base salary. Understanding these components is essential for evaluating offers and negotiating effectively. At senior levels, base salary often represents only 40-60% of total compensation.
| Component | Entry Level | Senior Level | Staff Level | % of Total Comp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $120,000 | $185,000 | $250,000 | 35-60% |
| Stock/RSUs (Annual Vest) | $30,000 | $120,000 | $250,000 | 30-50% |
| Annual Bonus | $15,000 | $35,000 | $60,000 | 10-15% |
| Sign-On Bonus (Amortized) | $10,000 | $25,000 | $40,000 | 5-10% |
| Benefits Value | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | 5-8% |
| Total Annual Compensation | $190,000 | $385,000 | $625,000 | 100% |
Top-Paying Companies for Software Engineers (Total Compensation)
| # | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netflix | $350,000 | $500,000 | $700,000 |
| 2 | Meta | $190,000 | $450,000 | $620,000 |
| 3 | $185,000 | $400,000 | $580,000 | |
| 4 | Apple | $175,000 | $380,000 | $530,000 |
| 5 | Stripe | $180,000 | $420,000 | $580,000 |
| 6 | Amazon | $165,000 | $350,000 | $500,000 |
| 7 | Uber | $170,000 | $380,000 | $520,000 |
| 8 | Airbnb | $175,000 | $400,000 | $550,000 |
| 9 | Microsoft | $155,000 | $320,000 | $450,000 |
| 10 | $160,000 | $340,000 | $480,000 |
| Skill/Specialization | Salary Premium | Demand Trend | Related Career Path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Learning/AI Engineering | +20-30% | Very High ↑ | AI/ML Engineer |
| Distributed Systems Architecture | +15-25% | High ↑ | Staff/Principal Engineer |
| Cloud Architecture (AWS/GCP/Azure) | +12-20% | High ↑ | Cloud Architect |
| Security Engineering | +12-18% | Very High ↑ | Security Engineer |
| Kubernetes/Infrastructure | +10-15% | High → | DevOps/Platform Engineer |
| Rust/Go Programming | +10-15% | High ↑ | Systems Programmer |
| Mobile Development (iOS/Android) | +5-12% | Stable → | Mobile Engineer |
| Full-Stack (React/Node.js) | +0-5% | Stable → | Full-Stack Engineer |
Certifications That Boost Software Engineer Salary
While certifications matter less in software engineering than in other IT fields, certain credentials can boost your salary and open doors to specialized, higher-paying roles. Cloud and security certifications tend to offer the highest ROI.
Cloud architecture certification focusing on designing scalable AWS systems. Adds $15K-$25K premium for cloud-focused roles and is highly valued at AWS-heavy companies.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Cloud Engineer
- • Solutions Architect
- • DevOps Engineer
Container orchestration certifications for managing Kubernetes clusters. Commands $10K-$20K premium for infrastructure and platform engineering roles.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Platform Engineer
- • DevOps Engineer
- • Site Reliability Engineer
Advanced security certification requiring 5 years experience. Essential for security engineering roles with significant salary premiums.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Security Engineer
- • Security Architect
- • CISO
For comprehensive certification guidance, see our complete AWS certifications roadmap, Kubernetes certifications guide, and security certifications overview.
Software Engineer Salary Negotiation Strategies That Work
Effective salary negotiation can add $10K-$50K+ to your offer, with even larger gains possible at senior levels. Here are proven strategies specifically for software engineering roles:
Step-by-Step Negotiation Process
Research Market Rates Thoroughly
Use Levels.fyi for tech company data, Glassdoor for broader market rates, and Blind for insider insights. Know your exact level and total comp ranges for your target companies.
Secure Multiple Competing Offers
Multiple offers provide negotiation leverage. Even if you prefer Company A, having offers from Company B and C strengthens your position significantly.
Focus on Total Compensation and Level
Negotiate the entire package—base salary, stock grants, sign-on bonus, and level. A level bump often provides more long-term value than a one-time salary increase.
Never Reveal Current Compensation
Many states prohibit asking about current salary. Focus discussions on market rates and the value you bring, not your current or historical compensation.
Ask for Level Matching
If you have a competing offer at a higher level, ask for level matching. This impacts not just current comp but future promotion timeline and stock refresh grants.
Get Everything in Writing
Verbal promises don't count. Ensure all compensation components, start date, level, and any special arrangements are documented in your offer letter.
For detailed negotiation tactics and scripts, see our comprehensive negotiating tech offers guide with real examples and templates.
Software Engineer Career Progression and Salary Timeline
Understanding the typical career progression helps set realistic salary expectations and plan your professional development. Here's the standard trajectory from entry-level to senior leadership roles:
| Years | Level | Typical Salary | Key Milestones | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | L3 (Junior) | $75K-$95K base | First full-time role, basic coding | Learning fundamentals, debugging, code reviews |
| 2-4 | L4 (Mid-Level) | $95K-$140K base | Independent feature development | System design basics, mentoring juniors |
| 4-7 | L5 (Senior) | $140K-$185K base | Technical leadership, architecture | Cross-team collaboration, project leadership |
| 7-12 | L6 (Staff) | $180K-$250K base | Org-level technical decisions | Technical strategy, senior mentoring |
| 12+ | L7+ (Principal) | $220K+ base | Company-wide technical vision | Industry expertise, external influence |
The transition from L4 to L5 (senior) typically takes 3-5 years and represents the largest skill development phase. Many engineers spend 5-10 years at the senior level before advancing to staff. For detailed progression guidance, see our software engineer career ladder and junior to senior developer guide.
How Software Engineer Salaries Compare to Other Tech Roles
Software engineers earn competitive salaries compared to other technology roles, though some specializations command premiums. Here's how SWE compensation stacks up against related positions:
| Role | Median Base Salary | Entry Level | Senior Level | Skills Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $130,160 | $78,000 | $165,000 | Programming, System Design |
| Data Scientist | $126,830 | $85,000 | $160,000 | Statistics, ML, Programming |
| DevOps Engineer | $125,000 | $80,000 | $155,000 | Infrastructure, Automation |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $112,000 | $70,000 | $145,000 | Security, Networking |
| Product Manager | $140,000 | $90,000 | $180,000 | Strategy, Communication |
| Data Engineer | $135,000 | $85,000 | $170,000 | ETL, Databases, Big Data |
| AI/ML Engineer | $150,000 | $100,000 | $195,000 | ML, Deep Learning, Math |
Career Paths
Apply statistical analysis and machine learning to solve business problems using large datasets.
Design and implement machine learning systems and artificial intelligence applications.
Bridge development and operations teams through automation, CI/CD, and infrastructure management.
Protect organization systems and data from cyber threats through security monitoring and incident response.
Education Requirements and Pathways for Software Engineers
While a computer science degree isn't strictly required for software engineering, it remains the most common educational path and can impact starting salary, advancement speed, and access to top-tier companies. Here are the main educational pathways:
| Education Path | Typical Starting Salary | Time Investment | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS Bachelor's Degree | $80K-$100K | 4 years | Broad foundation, recruiter friendly | Time and cost intensive |
| Coding Bootcamp | $70K-$85K | 3-9 months | Practical focus, job placement | Limited theoretical depth |
| Self-Taught | $65K-$80K | 1-3 years | Flexible, cost-effective | Requires strong discipline |
| CS Master's Degree | $90K-$110K | 2 years | Advanced topics, research | Expensive, may be overkill |
For degree seekers, explore our rankings of the best computer science bachelor's programs or most affordable CS programs for cost-conscious students.
Alternative path resources include our guides to the best software engineering bootcamps, self-taught vs degree comparison, and bootcamp vs master's ROI analysis.
Career changers should also consider our comprehensive transitioning to tech guide for practical steps and timeline expectations.
Software Engineer Salary FAQ
Related Salary Guides & Career Resources
Salary Data Sources & Methodology
Official government salary data for Software Developers (SOC 15-1252), May 2024 survey of 1.79 million professionals
Crowd-sourced total compensation data from tech workers, focusing on FAANG and top-tier companies
Job growth projections and educational requirements for software development occupations
Annual salary survey analyzing skill premiums and market trends from job platform data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.