API Developer Salary in 2026
Design, build, and maintain application programming interfaces that enable system integration.
Median Salary
$118,000
$9,833/mo
Entry Level
$82,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$165,000
experienced
Job Growth
+20%
10-yr outlook
API Developer Overview
Design, build, and maintain application programming interfaces that enable system integration.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Technology
Total Jobs (US)
85K
5-Year Growth
+18%
Category
Technology
Hourly Rate
$56.73/hr
Monthly Pay
$9,833
API Developer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated API Developer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated API Developer Salary
$137,000
$11,417/month · $5,269/biweekly · $65.87/hr
API Developer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the API Developer field.
Entry-level API Developers earn around $82,000, while the top 10% earn $180,000 or more.
Top Paying States for API Developers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $139,000 | +$21,000 |
| New York | $136,000 | +$18,000 |
| Washington | $132,000 | +$14,000 |
| Massachusetts | $132,000 | +$14,000 |
| Texas | $116,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for API Developers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $148,000 | +$30,000 |
| New York | $139,000 | +$21,000 |
| Seattle | $135,000 | +$17,000 |
| Boston | $132,000 | +$14,000 |
| Austin | $122,000 | +$4,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
API Developer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a API Developer from entry level to expert.
$82,000
0-2 years
$124,000
3-7 years
$165,000
8-14 years
$195,000
15+ years
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API Developer Salary FAQ
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