Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Software Developer IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Developer IV make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Developer IV in the United States is $148,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

However, a Software Developer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $167,880
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,340 to $158,830
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $128,735
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Developer IV Salaries

A Software Developer IV's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Developer IV's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Intermediate Software Engineer (2-4 years): $105,084
  • Senior Software Engineer (4-7 years): $128,688
  • Software Developer IV (7+ years): $148,884
  • Software Developer V (7-10 years): $171,158
  • Software Development Manager (10+ years): $169,542
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Software Engineer2-4 years$105,084
Senior Software Engineer4-7 years$128,688
Software Developer IV7+ years$148,884
Software Developer V7-10 years$171,158
Software Development Manager10+ years$169,542
View as Graph

How Do Software Developer IV Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Software Developer IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $164,850.
  • California: $164,220.
  • Massachusetts: $162,040.

Top Paying Cities for Software Developer IVs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $187,790
  • San Francisco: $185,740
  • Oakland: $181,820

What Skills Can Increase a Software Developer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.83% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Open Source (Mentioned in 3.66% Job Postings): Open source is a term that originally referred to open source software (OSS). Open source software is code that is designed to be publicly accessible—anyone can see, modify, and distribute the code as they see fit
  • Programming (Mentioned in 2.62% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.83%
Open Source 3.66%
Programming 2.62%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Software Developer IV's salary.

  • Relationship Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Solution Design: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Relationship Management $154,846
4%
Flexibility $153,357
3%
Solution Design $151,868
2%
Get Latest Data

Software Developer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Developer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $166,391. While startup companies pay approximate $140,750.

Software Developer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $140,750
Growth Stage 51~500 $148,857
Established 501~5000 $160,672
Enterprise 5000+ $166,391

Software Developer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Developer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 49% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Software Developer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Developer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Developer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$186,112$89.025%
Pharmaceuticals$178,668$86.020%
Financial Services$171,224$82.015%
Insurance$171,224$82.015%
Biotechnology$163,779$79.010%

How Education impacts a Software Developer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Developer IVs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Software Developer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $142,839 and $149,606).

Software Developer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Developer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 2.0%
Associates 1.5%
Bachelors 45.8%
Masters 44.0%
Doctorate 6.5%
View as Graph

Software Developer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Developer IV's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$138,340
Average $148,890/year
$158,830
$11,528
Average $12,408/month
$13,236
$2,660
Average $2,863/week
$3,054
$67
Average $72/hour
$76
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $158,830 $13,236 $3,054 $76
Average $148,890 $12,408 $2,863 $72
25th Percentile $138,340 $11,528 $2,660 $67

Software Developer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Developer IV

Next Role

Advancement

For a Software Developer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Developer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $171,160 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Software Developer IV

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Software Developer IV

Here are companies hiring for Software Developer IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Software Developer IV Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Developer IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Software Developer IV

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Developer IV?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Developer IV roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. What is L4 and L5 in Netflix?

L4 is generally considered a mid-level position at Netflix, with a salary around $151,850. It indicates that the individual is not at an entry-level position but still has room to grow into more senior roles, such as L5, which typically commands a higher salary, reflecting advanced experience and leadership responsibilities, with a range up to $166,470.

3. What are the 5 levels of developer?

There are five levels of Software Developer: Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert. Salaries vary by level, with a minimum of $139,440, a mid-range of $151,850, and a maximum of $166,470. This classification can be assessed through self-evaluation, peer reviews, or managerial feedback.

4. How much do L4 software engineers make in the US?

As of January 22, 2025, L4 Software Engineers in the US earn between $139,440 and $166,470 annually, with a mid-salary of $151,850. This translates to approximately $67.00 to $80.00 per hour, or about $2,700 to $3,200 per week, and $11,700 to $13,900 per month, depending on experience and location.

5. How much is a software developer paid in USA?

A Software Developer in the USA typically earns between $139,440 and $166,470 annually, with a median salary of around $151,850. This reflects the competitive nature of the tech industry and the demand for skilled professionals in software development.

6. What is the salary of a software engineer IV?

The estimated total pay for a Software Engineer IV is $139,440 per year, with an average salary of $151,850 per year. The maximum salary can reach up to $166,470 annually, reflecting the experience and expertise in the field.

7. What is a software developer IV?

A Software Developer IV, also known as Software Engineer - Project Lead, is responsible for designing and developing software applications. This role involves coding, debugging, testing, and troubleshooting throughout the development process. A bachelor's degree is typically required. The salary for this position ranges from $139,440 to $166,470, with a mid-point of $151,850.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job