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Hourly Wage for Software Engineer II Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Software Engineer II in the United States is $51, which translates to an annual salary of about $105,084.

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): $62 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47 to $56 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Engineer II Salaries

A Software Engineer II'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 II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Engineer II'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): $81,656
  • Software Engineer II (2-4 years): $105,084
  • Software Engineer III (4-7 years): $128,690
  • Software Engineer IV (7+ years): $148,888
  • Software Engineer V (7-10 years): $171,159
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Engineer I0-2 years$81,656
Software Engineer II2-4 years$105,084
Software Engineer III4-7 years$128,690
Software Engineer IV7+ years$148,888
Software Engineer V7-10 years$171,159
View as Graph

How Do Software Engineer IIs 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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $116,349.
  • California: $115,908.
  • Massachusetts: $114,363.

Top Paying Cities for Software Engineer II

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: $132,542
  • San Francisco: $131,091
  • Oakland: $128,329

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.91% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • API (Mentioned in 3.77% Job Postings): An application programming interface is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software.
  • SQL (Mentioned in 2.75% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.91%
API 3.77%
SQL 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 II's salary.

  • API: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Open Source: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Software Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
API $110,338
5%
Open Source $110,338
5%
Software Engineering $110,338
5%
Get Latest Data

Software Engineer II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $117,635. While startup companies pay approximate $99,517.

Software Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $99,517
Growth Stage 51~500 $105,251
Established 501~5000 $113,598
Enterprise 5000+ $117,635

Software Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Software Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$136,609$66.030%
Internet$131,355$63.025%
Aerospace & Defense$126,101$61.020%
Energy & Utilities$120,847$58.015%
Biotechnology$115,592$56.010%

How Education impacts an Software Engineer II's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Software Engineer II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $98,028 and $103,426.

Software Engineer II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Engineer II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 1.4%
Associates 1.7%
Bachelors 52.8%
Masters 41.3%
Doctorate 2.6%
View as Graph

Software Engineer II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Engineer II'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 August 01, 2026
$98,703
Average $105,084/year
$117,300
$8,225
Average $8,757/month
$9,775
$1,898
Average $2,021/week
$2,256
$47
Average $51/hour
$56
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $117,300 $9,775 $2,256 $56
Average $105,084 $8,757 $2,021 $51
25th Percentile $98,703 $8,225 $1,898 $47

Most common benefits for Software Engineer II

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

Common company salaries for Software Engineer II

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

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FAQ about Software Engineer II

1. What are the responsibilities of Software Engineer II?

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. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Software Engineer II

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.)

API: An application programming interface is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software.

3.)

SQL: Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).

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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