Software Design Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Design make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Design in the United States is $110,923 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $129,101
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,488 to $120,438
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,987
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View as table View as graph 25% $100,488 10% $90,987 90% $129,101 75% $120,438 $110,923 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Design Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $120,438 $10,037 $2,316 $58
Average $110,923 $9,244 $2,133 $53
25th Percentile $100,488 $8,374 $1,932 $48
Check out Software Design Job Openings in the United States
Software Solutions Engineer Design Build&amp Quality

Rohde & Schwarz (China) Technology Co., Ltd. - New Bremen, OH

Territory Sales Engineer

nVent - Cleveland, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Software Design Salaries

A Software Design'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 Software Design Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Design'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): $72,433
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $92,656
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $113,098
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $126,417
  • Expert (over 8 years): $158,956
Levels Salary
Package D... Level Software Design$72,433
Package D... Level Software Design$92,656
Software ... Level Software Design$113,098
Package D... Level Software Design$126,417
Package D... Level Software Design$158,956
$72,433 0 yr
$92,656 < 2 yrs
$113,098 2-4 yrs
$126,417 5-8 yrs
$158,956 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Designs

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: $139,907
  • San Francisco: $138,532
  • Oakland: $135,459

What Skills Can Increase a Software Design's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Communication Skills (Mentioned in 2.7% Job Postings): Communication skills are your ability to share or understand information, ideas, and feelings successfully.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 8.11% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Illustration (Mentioned in 5.41% Job Postings): Using creative artwork to explain or depict a particular meaning to come across the viewer's mind.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Communication Skills 2.7%
Packaging 8.11%
Illustration 5.41%

Software Design Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Design'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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Software Design

Salaries for a Software Design can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $107,975 in 2023 to around $102,890 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Design salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Design Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$107,975
2024
$105,371
2025
$102,890
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $107,975
2024 $105,371
2025 $102,890
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Software Design

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Software Design

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

Find Your Next Software Design Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Design job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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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