Software Developer Salary
Software developers design, build, and maintain applications and systems. They write code, debug software, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver technology solutions.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Software Developer
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $186,640 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $166,830 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $166,090 |
| 5 | San Diego, CA | $163,270 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $160,920 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $156,000 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $154,930 |
| 9 | Denver, CO | $137,610 |
| 10 | Charlotte, NC | $135,920 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $161,435 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $153,409 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $150,522 |
| 4 | New York, NY | 112.6 | $148,210 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | 105.4 | $147,978 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $145,924 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | 108.9 | $142,289 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | 113.6 | $141,697 |
| 9 | El Paso, TX | 89.9 | $141,594 |
| 10 | Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $139,623 |
Software Developer Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $163,500 | $186,640 | $219,670 | $273,400 | 69,030 |
| Seattle, WA | $132,800 | $167,280 | $211,860 | $257,960 | 92,770 |
| New York, NY | $130,650 | $166,830 | $205,970 | $224,590 | 121,000 |
| Boston, MA | $131,880 | $166,090 | $183,740 | $214,100 | 42,310 |
| San Diego, CA | $128,590 | $163,270 | $193,980 | $223,260 | 20,610 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $127,530 | $160,920 | $191,540 | $223,150 | 55,540 |
| Portland, OR | $126,220 | $156,000 | $174,050 | $213,540 | 18,260 |
| Washington, DC | $123,720 | $154,930 | $176,230 | $213,660 | 69,060 |
| Denver, CO | $123,640 | $137,610 | $171,350 | $209,300 | 27,010 |
| Charlotte, NC | $107,680 | $135,920 | $165,050 | $172,360 | 20,820 |
| Chicago, IL | $104,530 | $134,380 | $167,650 | $203,410 | 40,370 |
| Austin, TX | $104,000 | $134,120 | $168,730 | $209,890 | 31,960 |
| Dallas, TX | $105,660 | $133,290 | $164,100 | $179,400 | 67,030 |
| Atlanta, GA | $104,640 | $132,960 | $164,200 | $178,330 | 36,300 |
| Raleigh, NC | $103,480 | $132,770 | $166,650 | $185,110 | 12,580 |
| Miami, FL | $102,710 | $132,650 | $165,710 | $199,280 | 18,900 |
| Richmond, VA | $107,430 | $132,120 | $165,690 | $208,990 | 7,680 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $104,230 | $131,750 | $163,370 | $180,460 | 29,380 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $103,040 | $130,920 | $161,610 | $170,060 | 27,410 |
| Detroit, MI | $101,850 | $130,760 | $153,270 | $167,490 | 24,870 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $102,560 | $129,600 | $160,740 | $177,090 | 19,040 |
| Houston, TX | $101,190 | $129,440 | $159,450 | $181,770 | 22,940 |
| El Paso, TX | $95,160 | $127,310 | $135,470 | $164,830 | 1,360 |
| Nashville, TN | $99,030 | $126,610 | $140,170 | $169,070 | 7,750 |
| Memphis, TN | $98,140 | $125,580 | $139,510 | $168,000 | 2,270 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $95,560 | $124,500 | $155,770 | $191,710 | 10,320 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $96,520 | $122,390 | $153,880 | $173,010 | 3,820 |
| Columbus, OH | $100,010 | $122,340 | $140,260 | $170,000 | 9,880 |
| Louisville, KY | $93,190 | $110,270 | $135,380 | $163,350 | 2,770 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $83,990 | $106,870 | $135,060 | $158,970 | 7,140 |
Compare Software Developer Salaries: City vs City
5About the Software Developer Role
Software developers design, build, and maintain applications and systems. They write code, debug software, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver technology solutions.
Compensation for Software Developers varies by metro — from $106,870 at the low end in Indianapolis, IN to $186,640 in San Francisco, CA. The $79,770 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see software developer salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Software Developer salary in the US?
The national median Software Developer salary is $135,980 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $105,210 and the 90th percentile reaches $214,670.
Which city pays Software Developers the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, San Francisco, CA has the highest median wage for Software Developers at $186,640 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Seattle, WA ($167,280) and New York, NY ($166,830) are next.