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Software Engineer - Consultant Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Engineer - Consultant make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Engineer - Consultant in the United States is $171,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $82.

However, a Software Engineer - Consultant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $190,868
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $162,690 to $181,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $154,951
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Engineer - Consultant Salaries

A Software Engineer - Consultant'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 Engineer - Consultant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Engineer - Consultant'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 Engineer - Consultant (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 Engineer - Consultant7-10 years$171,158
Software Development Manager10+ years$169,542
Director of Software Engineering10+ years$214,161
View as Graph

How Do Software Engineer - Consultant 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 Engineer - Consultants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $189,590.
  • California: $188,790.
  • Massachusetts: $186,290.

Top Paying Cities for Software Engineer - Consultants

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: $213,590
  • Oakland: $209,090

What Skills Can Increase a Software Engineer - Consultant'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 Engineer - Consultant'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 $207,140
21%
Accountability $181,461
6%
Innovation $181,461
6%
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Software Engineer - Consultant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Engineer - Consultant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $191,312. While startup companies pay approximate $161,830.

Software Engineer - Consultant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $161,830
Growth Stage 51~500 $171,152
Established 501~5000 $184,736
Enterprise 5000+ $191,312

Software Engineer - Consultant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Engineer - Consultant 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 Engineer - Consultant positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Engineer - Consultant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Engineer - Consultant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$239,666$115.040%
Financial Services$222,547$107.030%
Internet$213,988$103.025%
Pharmaceuticals$205,428$99.020%
Biotechnology$196,868$95.015%

How Education impacts a Software Engineer - Consultant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Engineer - Consultants 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 Engineer - Consultant with a Bachelor's Degree is between $168,044 and $176,857).

Software Engineer - Consultant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Engineer - Consultant
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 Engineer - Consultant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Engineer - Consultant'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
$162,690
Average $171,190/year
$181,490
$13,558
Average $14,266/month
$15,124
$3,129
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 $171,190 $14,266 $3,292 $82
25th Percentile $162,690 $13,558 $3,129 $78

Software Engineer - Consultant Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Engineer - Consultant

Next Role

Advancement

For a Software Engineer - Consultant, 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 Engineer - Consultant

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

Common company salaries for Software Engineer - Consultant

Here are companies hiring for Software Engineer - Consultant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Software Engineer - Consultant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Engineer - Consultant?

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

2. What is a good salary for software engineer in US?

A good salary for a Software Engineer in the US ranges from $163,690 to $197,890, with a mid-salary of $179,890. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, where total compensation can vary significantly based on experience and location.

3. How much does a software engineer consultant make?

A Software Engineer Consultant typically earns between $163,690 and $197,890, with a median salary of $179,890. Salaries below $163,690 are considered outliers, while those above $197,890 also fall outside the typical range.

4. Do software consultants make a lot of money?

Software consultants can earn a substantial income, with salaries ranging from a minimum of $163,690 to a maximum of $197,890. The midpoint, or mid-salary, is approximately $179,890 per year, indicating that many professionals in this field enjoy competitive compensation.

5. What is the highest paying job in the world?

The highest paying jobs in the world include roles like Data Scientist, Senior Software Engineer, and Investment Banker. For a Software Engineer - Consultant, salaries range from $163,690 to $197,890, with a mid-salary of $179,890. Other high-paying positions include Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Lawyer, and Surgeon, reflecting the competitive nature of these fields.

6. Which Consultant has highest salary?

The highest salary for a Software Engineer - Consultant is $197,890. The salary range for this position typically starts at a minimum of $163,690, with a mid-level salary of $179,890. This indicates a competitive compensation structure for consultants in the software engineering field.

7. Is a consultant higher than a developer?

Consultants typically earn higher salaries than developers. For instance, a Software Engineer - Consultant has a salary range from $163,690 to $197,890, with a midpoint of $179,890. In contrast, developers usually earn less, making consulting a potentially more lucrative career path. Advancement opportunities also differ, with consultants moving into higher executive roles.

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.

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