Software Developer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Software Developers Make?
Software Developers earn a median annual salary of $133,080 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $79,850 at the 10th percentile to $211,450 at the 90th percentile — a range of $131,600. The highest-paying state is California at $170,910.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,850 |
| 25th percentile | $103,050 |
| Median (50th) | $133,080 |
| 75th percentile | $169,000 |
| 90th percentile | $211,450 |
Software Developer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $170,910 |
| Washington | $166,910 |
| New York | $161,260 |
| Massachusetts | $150,520 |
| Maryland | $137,890 |
| District of Columbia | $136,040 |
| Oregon | $135,260 |
| Delaware | $135,160 |
| Colorado | $134,540 |
| Virginia | $134,470 |
| New Hampshire | $132,420 |
| New Jersey | $132,400 |
| North Carolina | $131,000 |
| Connecticut | $130,870 |
| Vermont | $130,720 |
| Texas | $130,500 |
| Nevada | $129,030 |
| Georgia | $128,920 |
| Arizona | $128,690 |
| Rhode Island | $128,660 |
| Illinois | $127,770 |
| Utah | $127,390 |
| Florida | $126,550 |
| Minnesota | $124,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $123,740 |
| New Mexico | $120,820 |
| Hawaii | $119,880 |
| Alaska | $119,600 |
| Tennessee | $117,340 |
| Nebraska | $116,420 |
| Missouri | $114,550 |
| Maine | $113,800 |
| Alabama | $113,020 |
| Wyoming | $112,590 |
| Iowa | $109,850 |
| South Carolina | $108,690 |
| Idaho | $107,900 |
| Michigan | $107,820 |
| Ohio | $107,690 |
| Oklahoma | $107,420 |
| Kansas | $106,660 |
| Kentucky | $106,200 |
| Indiana | $103,570 |
| West Virginia | $103,550 |
| Wisconsin | $103,360 |
| Louisiana | $102,290 |
| Montana | $100,190 |
| North Dakota | $98,550 |
| Arkansas | $96,820 |
| South Dakota | $87,770 |
| Mississippi | $86,460 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Software Developers
Software Developer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$79,850 – $103,050 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$133,080 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$169,000 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $211,450+ |
How to Earn More as a Software Developer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Software Developers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $208,270 — $75,190 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($169,000) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Software Developer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Software Developerthis career | $133,080 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $171,200 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,790 |
| Computer Network Architect | $130,390 |
| Database Administrator | $104,620 |
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SOC: 15-1252.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.