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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
The real question isn't what this job pays. It's what it pays where you live. The national median salary for Software Engineers in 2026 is $140,985, with entry-level positions averaging $101,509 and senior roles reaching $200,199. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Santa Clara pays a median of $262,424, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
Software Engineer falls within the Technology sector, specifically in Technology. The typical education path involves Bachelor's in CS/SE. The career outlook? High demand. Work style is remote-eligible — which means location flexibility varies, and so does the premium different markets are willing to pay. That's a meaningful difference in take-home pay — not just a rounding error.
$153,037 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Software Engineer in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $262,424 — $153,037 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($109,387). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. In the right market, this is a six-figure career path.
The three-tier salary picture for Software Engineers in 2026: $101,509 at entry (P10), $140,985 at midpoint, and $200,199 at the senior end (P90). State averages smooth out the extremes — here's what they reveal: The $98,690 range from bottom to top isn't just experience — it's geography, specialization, and industry mixed together. The median itself lands $60,618 above the national median household income of $80,367.
But raw salary is only half the story. The top 3 paying cities (Santa Clara, Irvine, San Francisco) average $248,403 — while the bottom 3 (Toledo, Jackson, Macon) average $112,077. That $136,326 gap means choosing the right city could be the equivalent of a major promotion. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
A Software Engineer in Santa Clara, California earns a median of $262,424 — $153,037 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($109,387). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for Software Engineer is $101,509, while senior-level (P90) earners average $200,199. That $98,690 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
Hawaii pays the highest average median salary for Software Engineers at $179,094 across 1 tracked cities. The gap between #1 and #5 (New Hampshire at $147,084) is $32,010.
At the 90th percentile, Software Engineers pull in an average of $200,199. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher — making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $101,509 | $140,985 | $200,199 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £63,814 | £88,631 | £125,856 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$82,719 | CA$114,888 | CA$163,140 |
| Australia | 13 | A$95,880 | A$133,167 | A$189,097 |
| Sweden | 24 | 603,951 kr | 838,821 kr | 1,191,125 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 1 | $128,948 | $179,094 | $254,313 |
| California | 61 | $115,855 | $160,910 | $228,492 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $111,686 | $155,120 | $220,270 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $108,757 | $151,052 | $214,494 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $105,900 | $147,084 | $208,859 |
| Washington | 8 | $103,781 | $144,141 | $204,680 |
| Oregon | 5 | $102,625 | $142,534 | $202,398 |
| Colorado | 11 | $102,082 | $141,781 | $201,330 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $102,028 | $141,705 | $201,222 |
| New York | 5 | $101,539 | $141,026 | $200,257 |
| Illinois | 5 | $101,310 | $140,709 | $199,807 |
| Nevada | 5 | $100,148 | $139,095 | $197,515 |
| Virginia | 7 | $100,091 | $139,016 | $197,402 |
| Idaho | 3 | $100,091 | $139,016 | $197,402 |
| Utah | 4 | $99,258 | $137,859 | $195,759 |
| Florida | 22 | $99,165 | $137,729 | $195,575 |
| Arizona | 12 | $99,067 | $137,594 | $195,383 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $98,948 | $137,429 | $195,148 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $97,806 | $135,842 | $192,895 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $97,139 | $134,916 | $191,580 |
| Michigan | 6 | $97,028 | $134,761 | $191,361 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $96,980 | $134,695 | $191,267 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $96,777 | $134,413 | $190,866 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $95,234 | $132,270 | $187,823 |
| Alaska | 1 | $95,234 | $132,270 | $187,823 |
| Iowa | 2 | $95,234 | $132,270 | $187,823 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $95,234 | $132,270 | $187,823 |
| Montana | 1 | $95,234 | $132,270 | $187,823 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $93,933 | $130,462 | $185,257 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $93,806 | $130,286 | $185,006 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $93,795 | $130,271 | $184,985 |
| Texas | 40 | $93,668 | $130,094 | $184,734 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $93,353 | $129,658 | $184,114 |
| Georgia | 6 | $93,092 | $129,294 | $183,597 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $92,972 | $129,129 | $183,362 |
| Indiana | 3 | $92,726 | $128,787 | $182,877 |
| Alabama | 5 | $91,691 | $127,350 | $180,836 |
| Ohio | 6 | $91,488 | $127,067 | $180,436 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $91,425 | $126,979 | $180,310 |
| Maryland | 1 | $91,330 | $126,847 | $180,123 |
| Missouri | 4 | $91,258 | $126,748 | $179,982 |
| Kansas | 4 | $91,044 | $126,450 | $179,559 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $90,663 | $125,921 | $178,808 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $90,187 | $125,260 | $177,869 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $84,378 | $117,191 | $166,411 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $80,473 | $111,768 | $158,711 |
Geography shapes Software Engineer pay in predictable and not-so-predictable ways. Hawaii tops the state leaderboard at $179,094 median, with 1 cities providing data. California and Massachusetts follow. On the flip side, Mississippi and Arkansas anchor the bottom — reflecting lower local cost structures and smaller metro premiums.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Santa Clara ($262,424 nominal, 198 cost index) delivers $132,537 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oceanside California | $193,776 | 146 | $132,723 | $113,485 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $262,424 | 198 | $132,537 | $145,223 |
| 3 | Boston Massachusetts | $200,125 | 151 | $132,533 | $125,078 |
| 4 | Huntington Beach California | $223,933 | 169 | $132,505 | $127,674 |
| 5 | Fremont California | $234,515 | 177 | $132,494 | $132,653 |
| 6 | Irvine California | $243,774 | 184 | $132,486 | $137,008 |
| 7 | Bellevue Washington | $223,801 | 169 | $132,427 | $157,377 |
| 8 | Thousand Oaks California | $212,822 | 161 | $132,188 | $122,446 |
| 9 | Los Angeles California | $194,305 | 147 | $132,180 | $113,734 |
| 10 | Anaheim California | $192,982 | 146 | $132,179 | $113,112 |
Career economics for Software Engineers: entry level averages $101,509, mid-career hits $140,985, and experienced professionals reach $200,199. That's a 2.0× multiplier from start to peak. The path typically requires Bachelor's in CS/SE, and the work is remote-eligible. The outlook: high demand. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
The weighted national median salary for Software Engineers is $140,985 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $101,509, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $200,199.
The highest-paying city for Software Engineers is Santa Clara, California with a median salary of $262,424. The top 3 cities are Santa Clara ($262,424), Irvine ($243,774), San Francisco ($239,012). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Software Engineer salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $109,387. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Software Engineers (10th percentile) average $101,509 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $188,945. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Software Engineers average $200,199 nationally — $98,690 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Software Engineers can earn up to $372,642.
The top-paying states for Software Engineers are Hawaii ($179,094 median), California ($160,910 median), Massachusetts ($155,120 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Software Engineer involves Bachelor's in CS/SE. The field is in the Technology sector (Technology), and the career outlook is high demand. Work style is typically remote-eligible.
With a national median of $140,985 and representation across 288 metro areas, Software Engineer offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $98,690 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: high demand.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.