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Hourly Wage for Software Engineer I Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Software Engineer I?

As of March 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Software Engineer I in the United States is $39, which translates to an annual salary of about $81,661.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36 to $42 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $36 10% $33 90% $45 75% $42 $39 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $87,820 $7,318 $1,689 $42
Average $81,661 $6,805 $1,570 $39
25th Percentile $74,763 $6,230 $1,438 $36
Check out Software Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Software Engineer I Salaries

A Software Engineer I'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 Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Engineer I'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:

  • Software Engineer I (0-2 years): $81,661
  • Software Engineer II (2-4 years): $105,086
  • Software Engineer III (4-7 years): $128,700
  • Software Engineer IV (7+ years): $148,907
  • Software Engineer V (7-10 years): $171,164
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Engineer I0-2 years$81,661
Software Engineer II2-4 years$105,086
Software Engineer III4-7 years$128,700
Software Engineer IV7+ years$148,907
Software Engineer V7-10 years$171,164
$81,661 Software ...
$105,086 Software ...
$128,700 Software ...
$148,907 Software ...
$171,164 Software ...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Software Engineer I 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 Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $90,415.
  • California: $90,072.
  • Massachusetts: $88,872.

Top Paying Cities for Software Engineer Is

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: $102,999
  • San Francisco: $101,986
  • Oakland: $99,724

What Skills Can Increase a Software Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.82% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Python (Mentioned in 4.66% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
  • Linux (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.82%
Python 4.66%
Linux 2.71%
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 I's salary.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Code Review: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Kubernetes: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching
 $98,810
21%
Code Review
 $90,644
11%
Kubernetes
 $90,644
11%
Project Management
 $90,644
11%
API
 $90,644
11%
AWS
 $90,644
11%
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How Education impacts a Software Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Engineer Is 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 I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $78,103 and $82,080).

Software Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 1.8%
Associates 2.5%
Bachelors 58.4%
Masters 34.0%
Doctorate 3.0%
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Software Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Engineer I'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on March 01, 2026
$74,763
Average $81,661/year
$87,820
$6,230
Average $6,805/month
$7,318
$1,438
Average $1,570/week
$1,689
$36
Average $39/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $87,820 $7,318 $1,689 $42
Average $81,661 $6,805 $1,570 $39
25th Percentile $74,763 $6,230 $1,438 $36

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FAQ about Software Engineer I

1. What are the responsibilities of Software Engineer I?

Designs and develops software applications. Gathers and evaluates end-user requirements. Develops build plans. Performs coding, debugging, testing, code review, and troubleshooting throughout the software development lifecycle. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Software Engineer I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.

2.)

Python: Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.

3.)

Linux: Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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