API Developer Salary in 2026
Design, build, and maintain application programming interfaces that enable system integration.
Median Salary
$135,980
$11,332/mo
Entry Level
$94,500
starting pay
Senior Level
$190,100
experienced
Job Growth
+20%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Software Developers (SOC 15-1252, the closest published occupation to API Developer) at a national median of $135,980 per year (mean $148,100), or $65.38 per hour, with 1,687,890 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
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)
1.7M
5-Year Growth
+18%
Category
Technology
Hourly Rate
$65.38/hr
Monthly Pay
$11,332
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
$158,000
$13,167/month · $6,077/biweekly · $75.96/hr
API Developer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the API Developer field.
Entry-level API Developers earn around $94,500, while the top 10% earn $207,400 or more.
Top Paying States for API Developers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $160,000 | +$24,020 |
| New York | $156,000 | +$20,020 |
| Washington | $152,000 | +$16,020 |
| Massachusetts | $152,000 | +$16,020 |
| Texas | $133,000 | $-2,980 |
Top Paying Cities for API Developers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San FranciscoBLS metro | $186,640 | +$50,660 |
| SeattleBLS metro | $167,280 | +$31,300 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $166,830 | +$30,850 |
| BostonBLS metro | $166,090 | +$30,110 |
| AustinBLS metro | $134,120 | $-1,860 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Software Developers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
API Developer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a API Developer from entry level to expert.
$94,500
0-2 years
$142,000
3-7 years
$190,100
8-14 years
$224,700
15+ years
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API Developer Salary FAQ
How much does a API Developer make in 2026?
The median salary for a API Developer in the United States is $135,980 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Software Developers (SOC 15-1252); the mean is $148,100. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $94,500, senior professionals around $190,100, and top earners at $224,700 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a API Developer?
A API Developer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include REST APIs, GraphQL, API Gateway. Relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Developer can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for API Developers?
The job market for API Developers is projected to grow by 20% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 1.7M API Developer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 18%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay API Developers the most?
The highest-paying states for API Developers include California, Washington, New York. In California, the median salary is approximately $160,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my API Developer salary?
To increase your API Developer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like REST APIs and GraphQL. Pursue certifications such as AWS Certified Developer. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like San Francisco. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $94,500 to $190,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: API Developer Salary
How we calculate API Developer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Software Developers (SOC 15-1252), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $135,980, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Software Developers; BLS mean $148,100; BLS hourly median $65.38.
- Entry-level ($94,500) and senior-level ($190,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +20% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 1,687,890 Software Developers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 18% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Technology sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $135,980; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for API Developer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, API Developer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Technology
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: API Developer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (REST APIs, GraphQL, API Gateway), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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