Software Developer Salary: What Can You Expect?

To be a successful software developer takes a variety of tech and soft skills.

Anyone can learn to code, understand programming, and become a developer, but it takes dedication and commitment to get there.

After getting the training you need to prepare for the profession, you’ll have opportunities to enter an exciting, growing field with competitive salaries and paths for career advancement. 

In this post, we’ll look at some statistics about current software developer salaries, and explore how the profession is expected to keep growing. 

The Current State of Software Developer Salaries

Software development is one of the most in-demand skill sets in the tech market. And it’s projected to stay that way – between now and 2032, demand for developer jobs is expected to grow by 26% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here are some current software developer salary numbers: 

• Median Salary: $132,270
• Top 10%: Earn more than $208,620

Another current trend is that software developers are needed across industries – including many new or expanding ones. Your salary can be affected by the specific industry in which you work. For example, here are the best-paying industries for software developers: 

• Software publishing: $143,210
• Manufacturing: $138,100
• Finance and insurance: $132,900
• Enterprise management: $131,370
• Computer systems design: $127,880

Software developer salary can also depend on the city and state where you work. Although many software development jobs are fully remote or hybrid, certain regions tend to offer higher salaries based on the cost of living, if they’re located within a tech hub and other factors. Here are the top five states for software developer salaries: 

• California: $173,780
• Washington: $159,990
• Maryland: $150,740
• New York: $150,020
• Massachusetts: $146,580

Here are the top five regions and metro areas for higher software developer incomes:

• San Jose, CA: $199,800
• Boulder, CO: $182,650
• San Francisco / Oakland, CA: $181,220
• Seattle, WA: $164,130
• Santa Maria / Santa Barbara, CA: $156,40

No matter where you work – in-person, remote, or in a hybrid setting – there are opportunities for software development careers with competitive pay and lots of room for growth. 

Software Developer Salary: Even More Data 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a bright picture for software developer careers now and moving forward. As mentioned, the career has a median income of around $132,000 right now, an expected growth rate of 26% through 2032, and it’s predicted that two million additional jobs will be added within that same timeframe.

But for good measure, let’s look at statistics outside of the BLS. Here are some software developer salary statistics from leading job boards and tech resource sites:  

• Dice: $123,067 (Average) 
• Glassdoor: $130,571 (Median)
• Salary.com: $124,211 (Unspecified)
• Indeed: $105,441 (Average)
• U.S. News: $127,260 (Median)

(Note: Income data taken in April of 2024. Numbers will likely change as these sources update information.)

As you can see, there are vast opportunities for growth in software development. However you get started with training, and which job you land first, there will undoubtedly be room to keep growing, keep learning, and stay on board the exciting ride of a long-lasting, fulfilling career.