Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Software Developer V Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Developer V in the United States is $171,160 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $82.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $190,895
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $162,680 to $181,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $154,959
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Developer V Salaries

A Software Developer V'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 V'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:

  • 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
  • Director of Software Engineering (10+ years): $214,161
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
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
Director of Software Engineering10+ years$214,161
View as Graph

How Do Software Developer V 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 Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $189,510.
  • California: $188,790.
  • Massachusetts: $186,280.

Top Paying Cities for Software Developer Vs

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: $215,890
  • San Francisco: $213,520
  • Oakland: $209,020

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.92% 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 3.61% 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
  • AWS (Mentioned in 2.75% Job Postings): Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.92%
Open Source 3.61%
AWS 2.75%
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 V's salary.

  • Relationship Management: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Relationship Management $207,104
21%
Accountability $181,430
6%
Innovation $181,430
6%
Get Latest Data

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

Software Developer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $191,278. While startup companies pay approximate $161,802.

Software Developer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $161,802
Growth Stage 51~500 $171,122
Established 501~5000 $184,704
Enterprise 5000+ $191,278

Software Developer V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Developer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 81% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Software Developer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Developer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Developer V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$239,624$115.040%
Financial Services$222,508$107.030%
Internet$213,950$103.025%
Pharmaceuticals$205,392$99.020%
Biotechnology$196,834$95.015%

How Education impacts a Software Developer V's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Developer Vs 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 V with a Bachelor's Degree is between $168,008 and $176,796).

Software Developer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Developer V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 2.5%
Associates 2.0%
Bachelors 43.2%
Masters 43.9%
Doctorate 7.8%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Software Developer V'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
$162,680
Average $171,160/year
$181,490
$13,557
Average $14,263/month
$15,124
$3,128
Average $3,292/week
$3,490
$78
Average $82/hour
$87
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $181,490 $15,124 $3,490 $87
Average $171,160 $14,263 $3,292 $82
25th Percentile $162,680 $13,557 $3,128 $78

Software Developer V Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Developer V

Next Role

Advancement

For a Software Developer V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Development Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $169,550 - a projected growth of -1% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Software Developer V

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

Common company salaries for Software Developer V

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

Find Your Next Software Developer V Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Developer V 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 V

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Developer V roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. How long does it take to become a software developer?

Becoming a software developer involves mastering various skills related to software design and development. While it may take a few months to several years to become proficient, many beginners can acquire the essential skills for entry-level positions within three to six months. Salaries for software developers typically range from $163,610 to $197,900, with a mid-salary of $179,850.

3. How much does a 2 year experience software developer earn in USA?

As of now, a Software Developer with 2 years of experience in the USA can expect to earn between $163,610 and $197,900 annually. The average salary in this range is approximately $179,850. This translates to about $78.00 to $95.00 per hour, or roughly $3,200 to $3,900 per week.

4. How much does a 7 year experience software engineer make in the US?

A Software Engineer with 7 years of experience in the US typically earns between $163,610 and $197,900, with a mid-salary of $179,850. This reflects the competitive nature of the industry and the demand for experienced professionals.

5. What is the highest paying job?

The highest paying job is a Software Developer, with a salary range from $163,610 to $197,900. The median salary is $179,850, making it a lucrative career choice in the tech industry. Other high-paying jobs include Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Psychiatrist, and Anesthesiologist, but Software Developers remain highly sought after for their skills and expertise.

6. What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Engineers typically do not make $500,000 a year in standard roles. For example, Software Developers earn between $163,610 and $197,900, with a mid-salary of $179,850. While some specialized positions or senior roles may approach higher salaries, reaching $500,000 is uncommon and usually requires significant experience or leadership roles in high-demand sectors.

7. Can you work remotely as a software developer?

Yes, software developers can often work remotely, as the nature of the job allows for online collaboration. With salaries ranging from $163,610 to $197,900, many companies offer flexible positions, making remote work a viable long-term option in the industry. This flexibility is increasingly common, reflecting the evolving work environment.

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