Software Engineer Salary 2026 — National Average, By State + City Wages
Median Software Engineer salary 2026: $121,000/year nationally. Entry level $75,000, senior $171,000, top earners $203,000. Hourly: $58/hour. Monthly: $10,083.
1,800,000 Software Engineers employed in US. Job growth 25% projected next 5 years. Required: Bachelor's Degree + 2-4 years experience.
Software Engineer Salary Breakdown
| Level | Annual | Hourly | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (10th %ile) | $75,000 | $36 | $6,250 | $1,442 |
| Median (50th %ile) | $121,000 | $58 | $10,083 | $2,327 |
| Senior (75th %ile) | $171,000 | $82 | $14,250 | $3,288 |
| Top Earners (90th %ile) | $203,000 | $98 | $16,917 | $3,904 |
Software Engineer Career Profile
Key Stats
- Total Jobs: 1,800,000
- 5-Year Job Growth: 25%
- 5-Year Salary Growth: 21%
- Education: Bachelor's Degree
- Experience: 2-4 years
- Industry: Technology
Top States
- 1. California
- 2. Washington
- 3. New York
- 4. Texas
- 5. Massachusetts
Top Cities
- 1. San Francisco
- 2. Seattle
- 3. New York
- 4. Austin
- 5. Boston
Top Skills + Certifications
Required Skills
Top Certifications
Software Engineer Salary by City (Top Markets)
Click any city to see Software Engineer salary specific to that local market with cost-of-living adjustment.
About Software Engineer Career
Software engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems and applications. They collaborate with teams to solve complex technical problems using programming languages and frameworks.
FAQ
What is the average Software Engineer salary in 2026?
Average Software Engineer salary 2026: $121,000 per year nationally. Entry level: $75,000, senior: $171,000, top earners: $203,000. Hourly equivalent: $58/hour. 1,800,000 Software Engineers currently employed in US. 5-year salary growth: 21%.
What education is required for Software Engineer?
Software Engineer typically requires Bachelor's Degree. Experience: 2-4 years. Industry: Technology. Top skills: Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git, AWS.
What states pay Software Engineers the most?
Top-paying states for Software Engineer: California, Washington, New York, Texas, Massachusetts. Top cities: San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Austin, Boston.
Is Software Engineer a good career?
Software Engineer has projected job growth of 25% over the next 5 years. Strong above-average growth. Career advancement: entry-level $75,000 → senior $171,000 = 128% career progression.
What certifications help Software Engineers earn more?
Top certifications for Software Engineer: AWS Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional.
Related Resources
- Salary Calculator
- Cost of Living Calculator
- Median Household Income 2024 CPS ASEC
- Annual Raise Real vs Nominal
- Browse All Job Salaries
Data sources: BLS Occupational Employment + Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Updated 2026-04-26.