Software Developer Salaries: What the Data Actually Says

Software developers are among the most in-demand and highest-paid workers in the U.S. economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the national median annual wage for software developers is well into the six-figure range — and top earners in major tech markets can earn multiples of that.

National Salary Overview

WageDepth pulls from the official BLS OEWS dataset, which surveys employers across all industries. The national figures reflect a wide range: entry-level developers at smaller companies earn significantly less than senior engineers at large tech firms. The 90th percentile wage captures the high-earner segment that gets the most press.

Software Developer Salaries by State

Salaries vary dramatically by location. States with large tech ecosystems — California, Washington, and New York — consistently top the charts. But cost of living matters: a developer earning $120,000 in Texas may have more purchasing power than one earning $160,000 in San Francisco.

Top Metro Areas for Software Developers

Metro-level data shows the sharpest salary premiums. The San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle metros consistently report the highest median wages for developers, driven by concentrated demand from major tech employers.

Related Roles

If you're comparing careers in tech, also look at wages for computer and information research scientists, computer systems analysts, and computer programmers — each has a distinct salary profile.

Browse the Data

Explore the full Computer and Mathematical Occupations group on WageDepth for a complete picture of tech sector wages.