Software Developers Salary
Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD
Search Jobs on IndeedAvg Median Salary
$132,267
Highest Paying City
San Francisco
$187,000
Cities Tracked
60
What Do Software Developers Do?
Software developers design, build, test, and maintain software applications and systems that power everything from mobile apps to enterprise platforms. They write code in various programming languages, collaborate with product teams, and solve complex technical problems to create reliable, scalable software solutions.
Most work in office settings or remotely, with many companies offering flexible or fully remote arrangements. Standard hours are common, though project deadlines may occasionally require additional time.
Key Skills for Software Developers
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field
A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field is standard. However, many roles also value practical experience, coding bootcamp credentials, and industry certifications from AWS, Google, Microsoft, or other major tech companies.
Career Outlook
Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, driven by the increasing reliance on technology across all industries and the growing demand for cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data science expertise.
How to Increase Your Software Developers Salary
- 1.Earn cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- 2.Build a strong portfolio of projects on GitHub
- 3.Specialize in high-growth areas like AI/ML, cybersecurity, or cloud architecture
- 4.Contribute to open-source projects to build your reputation
- 5.Stay current with rapidly evolving technologies and tools
Software Developers Salary by City
| City | Median | Average | Range (10th-90th) | Currency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $187,000 | $194,000 | $94,000 - $257,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Jose, CA | $183,000 | $192,000 | $92,000 - $252,000 | USD | Apply |
| Seattle, WA | $175,000 | $179,000 | $88,000 - $241,000 | USD | Apply |
| New York, NY | $168,000 | $180,000 | $84,000 - $231,000 | USD | Apply |
| Boston, MA | $164,000 | $176,000 | $82,000 - $226,000 | USD | Apply |
| Washington DC, DC | $163,000 | $181,000 | $82,000 - $224,000 | USD | Apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $160,000 | $172,000 | $80,000 - $220,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Diego, CA | $156,000 | $170,000 | $78,000 - $214,000 | USD | Apply |
| Denver, CO | $152,000 | $158,000 | $76,000 - $209,000 | USD | Apply |
| Portland, OR | $150,000 | $158,000 | $82,000 - $201,000 | USD | Apply |
| Honolulu, HI | $148,000 | $160,000 | $81,000 - $198,000 | USD | Apply |
| Philadelphia, PA | $145,000 | $154,000 | $80,000 - $194,000 | USD | Apply |
| Austin, TX | $145,000 | $153,000 | $80,000 - $194,000 | USD | Apply |
| Anchorage, AK | $145,000 | $152,000 | $80,000 - $194,000 | USD | Apply |
| Minneapolis, MN | $144,000 | $147,000 | $79,000 - $193,000 | USD | Apply |
| Sacramento, CA | $143,000 | $151,000 | $79,000 - $191,000 | USD | Apply |
| Baltimore, MD | $140,000 | $152,000 | $77,000 - $187,000 | USD | Apply |
| Hartford, CT | $140,000 | $156,000 | $77,000 - $187,000 | USD | Apply |
| Dallas, TX | $138,000 | $145,000 | $76,000 - $185,000 | USD | Apply |
| Atlanta, GA | $138,000 | $151,000 | $76,000 - $185,000 | USD | Apply |
| Chicago, IL | $137,000 | $151,000 | $75,000 - $183,000 | USD | Apply |
| Houston, TX | $136,000 | $140,000 | $75,000 - $182,000 | USD | Apply |
| Phoenix, AZ | $133,000 | $144,000 | $73,000 - $178,000 | USD | Apply |
| Raleigh, NC | $133,000 | $142,000 | $73,000 - $178,000 | USD | Apply |
| Detroit, MI | $132,000 | $141,000 | $73,000 - $177,000 | USD | Apply |
| Nashville, TN | $132,000 | $146,000 | $73,000 - $177,000 | USD | Apply |
| Columbus, OH | $131,000 | $136,000 | $72,000 - $175,000 | USD | Apply |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $130,000 | $137,000 | $72,000 - $174,000 | USD | Apply |
| Richmond, VA | $129,000 | $141,000 | $71,000 - $173,000 | USD | Apply |
| Las Vegas, NV | $128,000 | $131,000 | $70,000 - $171,000 | USD | Apply |
| Kansas City, MO | $128,000 | $133,000 | $70,000 - $171,000 | USD | Apply |
| Miami, FL | $127,000 | $139,000 | $70,000 - $170,000 | USD | Apply |
| Charlotte, NC | $127,000 | $139,000 | $70,000 - $170,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tampa, FL | $126,000 | $139,000 | $69,000 - $169,000 | USD | Apply |
| St. Louis, MO | $125,000 | $139,000 | $69,000 - $167,000 | USD | Apply |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $124,000 | $133,000 | $68,000 - $166,000 | USD | Apply |
| Milwaukee, WI | $124,000 | $137,000 | $68,000 - $166,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cincinnati, OH | $123,000 | $130,000 | $68,000 - $165,000 | USD | Apply |
| Toronto, ON | $123,000 | $128,000 | $68,000 - $165,000 | CAD | Apply |
| San Antonio, TX | $122,000 | $126,000 | $67,000 - $163,000 | USD | Apply |
| Indianapolis, IN | $122,000 | $130,000 | $67,000 - $163,000 | USD | Apply |
| Memphis, TN | $122,000 | $136,000 | $67,000 - $163,000 | USD | Apply |
| Louisville, KY | $122,000 | $131,000 | $67,000 - $163,000 | USD | Apply |
| Orlando, FL | $121,000 | $131,000 | $67,000 - $162,000 | USD | Apply |
| Tucson, AZ | $121,000 | $126,000 | $67,000 - $162,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cleveland, OH | $120,000 | $128,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | USD | Apply |
| Jacksonville, FL | $120,000 | $126,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | USD | Apply |
| New Orleans, LA | $120,000 | $132,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | USD | Apply |
| Buffalo, NY | $120,000 | $134,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | USD | Apply |
| Vancouver, BC | $120,000 | $123,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $117,000 | $122,000 | $64,000 - $156,000 | USD | Apply |
| Birmingham, AL | $116,000 | $122,000 | $64,000 - $155,000 | USD | Apply |
| Calgary, AB | $116,000 | $128,000 | $64,000 - $155,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Edmonton, AB | $114,000 | $121,000 | $63,000 - $152,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Ottawa, ON | $112,000 | $120,000 | $62,000 - $150,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Montreal, QC | $106,000 | $108,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Hamilton, ON | $105,000 | $107,000 | $58,000 - $140,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Halifax, NS | $98,000 | $102,000 | $59,000 - $127,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Winnipeg, MB | $97,000 | $102,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Quebec City, QC | $93,000 | $95,000 | $56,000 - $121,000 | CAD | Apply |