The average software engineer salary in the US is $148,100. The median is $135,980, which is the better figure to use when setting most offers, since it is less influenced by very high earners at the top of the market. For a typical mid-level hire, anchoring near the median gives you a defensible and market-aligned starting point.
Software engineer salary in the US (2026)
The average software engineer salary in the US is $148,100. The median of $135,980 is the more reliable anchor for most hiring decisions, because it reflects what the typical software engineer actually earns rather than being pulled upward by high earners at the top of the market. Software engineer compensation spans a wide range nationally, so where you set your offer will depend heavily on the seniority level and the states where you are hiring.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Average annual salary | $148,100 |
Median annual salary | $135,980 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 1,687,890 employed software engineers across the US.
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Percentile | Annual salary |
10th percentile | $82,460 |
25th percentile | $105,210 |
75th percentile | $171,980 |
90th percentile | $214,670 |
If you are hiring a mid-level software engineer, anchoring your offer between $105,210 and $171,980 will keep you competitive for the majority of the market. For senior roles where you need to attract top-decile talent, expect offers to reach $214,670.
State | Average annual salary | Median annual salary |
California | $186,770 | $174,410 |
Washington | $171,040 | $166,540 |
New York | $163,820 | $166,180 |
Massachusetts | $161,730 | $165,210 |
Colorado | $150,940 | $138,390 |
Virginia | $146,340 | $136,460 |
Florida | $137,010 | $130,980 |
Illinois | $136,540 | $132,110 |
Texas | $136,450 | $132,150 |
Georgia | $132,150 | $131,010 |
Your hiring budget for a software engineer should reflect the state where the role is based, since compensation expectations vary considerably across markets. California commands the highest pay at an average of $186,770 and a median of $174,410, while Georgia sits at the lower end of this group with an average of $132,150 and a median of $131,010. If you are hiring remotely across multiple states, building location-based pay bands will help you stay competitive without overpaying in lower-cost markets.
Frequently asked questions about Software Engineer salary in the US
What is the average software engineer salary in the US?
What is the salary range for a software engineer in the US?
The full salary range for software engineers in the US runs from $82,460 at the 10th percentile to $214,670 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $105,210 at the 25th percentile and $171,980 at the 75th percentile. Most competitive offers for experienced software engineers will fall somewhere within that middle band.
What do the top-earning software engineers make nationally?
Software engineers at the 90th percentile earn $214,670 annually. If you are competing for senior or specialized talent, plan for offers in this range and factor in that only 10% of software engineers nationally reach this level. The national average of $148,100 gives you a useful reference point for how far above the typical market a top-tier offer sits.
Which states pay the most for software engineers?
California pays the most, with an average software engineer salary of $186,770 and a median of $174,410. Washington and New York follow, with averages of $171,040 and $163,820 respectively. If you are hiring in any of these states, budget well above the national average of $148,100 to remain competitive.
More salary data
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, for Software Developers (SOC 15-1252).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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Jun 9, 2026
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3 min
Software engineer salary in California (2026)
California software engineers earn a median $174,410 per year. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and state to set competitive offers for your next hire.
Jun 9, 2026
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3 min
Software engineer salary in Washington (2026)
Software engineer salaries in Washington average $171,040, with pay ranging from $96,810 to $255,350. See city breakdowns and state comparisons to budget your next hire.
Jun 9, 2026
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Software engineer salary in Texas (2026)
Texas software engineers earn a median $132,150 per year. Compare salaries by city, seniority, and state to set competitive offers in 2026.
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Software engineer salary in New York (2026)
Software engineer salaries in New York average $163,820, with a range from $97,430 to $224,590. Compare pay by city, seniority, and state to set competitive offers.
Jun 9, 2026
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Software engineer salary in Florida (2026)
Florida software engineers earn $130,980 median annually. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and state to budget confidently for your next hire.
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Software engineer salary in Arizona (2026)
Arizona software engineers earn a median $129,690 per year. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and state to budget confidently for your next hire.
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Software engineer salary in Massachusetts (2026)
Massachusetts software engineers earn a median $165,210 — 9.2% above the national average. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and seniority.
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Software engineer salary in New Jersey (2026)
New Jersey software engineers earn a median $135,940. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and state comparisons to budget your next hire accurately.
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