What are the main factors that influence a Distinguished Software Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Distinguished Software Engineer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Distinguished Software Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

How does experience change A Distinguished Software Engineer's salary?

A Distinguished Software Engineer's salary grows with experience: a Revenue Supervisor (7+ years)earns $125,829, a Revenue Manager (7+ years)earns $140,730, a Revenue Senior Manager (7+ years)earns $164,569, a Distinguished Software Engineer (7+ years)earns $184,335, a Chief Revenue Officer (7+ years)earns $384,222,

What are the highest paying states for a Distinguished Software Engineer?

Distinguished Software Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Distinguished Software Engineer roles are District of Columbia $180,612, California $179,927, Massachusetts $177,529. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Distinguished Software Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Distinguished Software Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Distinguished Professor: $227,917; Software Engineer V: $171,160; Software Engineer IV: $148,892; Software Engineer III: $128,692; Distinguished Engineer: $110,973.

Distinguished Software Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Distinguished Software Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Distinguished Software Engineer in District of Columbia is $180,612 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $87.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $216,950
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $162,736 to $199,633
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $146,461

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Distinguished Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$199,633	$16,636	$3,839	$96
Average	$180,612	$15,051	$3,473	$87
25th Percentile	$162,736	$13,561	$3,130	$78

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Key Factors That Influence Distinguished Software Engineer Salaries

A Distinguished Software Engineer'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Distinguished Software Engineer Salaries?

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

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $125,829
Early Career (1-2 years): $140,730
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $164,569
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $184,335
Expert (over 8 years): $384,222

Levels	Salary
Revenue S... Level Distinguished Software Engineer	$125,829
Revenue M... Level Distinguished Software Engineer	$140,730
Revenue S... Level Distinguished Software Engineer	$164,569
Distingui... Level Distinguished Software Engineer	$184,335
Chief Rev... Level Distinguished Software Engineer	$384,222

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What Am I Worth?

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

District of Columbia: $180,612.
California: $179,927.
Massachusetts: $177,529.

District of Columbia $180,612 California $179,927 Massachusetts $177,529 Washington $176,876 New Jersey $176,811 Alaska $176,583 Connecticut $174,332 New York $173,418

Hawaii $170,498 Rhode Island $169,128 Maryland $168,198 Minnesota $166,926 Colorado $166,436 Illinois $166,273 Oregon $165,653 Delaware $165,197

New Hampshire $164,910 Virginia $164,267 Pennsylvania $162,391 Nevada $161,445 North Dakota $161,135 Michigan $160,646 Wisconsin $160,466 Vermont $160,107

Texas $159,112 Maine $159,047 Arizona $158,949 Ohio $158,835 Georgia $157,334 Indiana $156,584 Wyoming $156,437 Utah $156,209

Iowa $156,111 Kansas $155,328 Louisiana $155,099 North Carolina $155,018 Missouri $154,985 Florida $154,349 Montana $154,006 Nebraska $153,680

Kentucky $153,501 South Carolina $152,848 Tennessee $152,440 Idaho $152,277 New Mexico $151,086 Oklahoma $150,825 Alabama $149,863 South Dakota $148,248

Arkansas $147,367 West Virginia $146,894 Mississippi $145,475

Top Paying Cities for Distinguished Software Engineers

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:

Parcel Return Service: $179,632
Washington: $179,633
Naval Anacost Annex: $179,625

Parcel Return Service, DC $179,632 Washington, DC $179,633 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $179,625 Washington Navy Yard, DC $179,632

Distinguished Software Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Distinguished Software Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Distinguished Software Engineer positions in MFG Nondurable or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Distinguished Software Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Distinguished Software Engineer

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking	$270,918	$130.0	50%

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

Understanding how a Distinguished Software Engineer'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 July 01, 2026

$162,736

Average $180,612/year

$199,633

$13,561

Average $15,051/month

$16,636

$3,130

Average $3,473/week

$3,839

$78

Average $87/hour

$96

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$199,633	$16,636	$3,839	$96
Average	$180,612	$15,051	$3,473	$87
25th Percentile	$162,736	$13,561	$3,130	$78

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