Associate Software Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Software Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Software Engineer in the United States is $82,162 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $94,067
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,412 to $88,394
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,266

Key Factors That Influence Associate Software Engineer Salaries

An Associate 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Associate Software Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate 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): $81,704
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $105,147
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $128,765
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $148,973
  • Expert (over 8 years): $171,261
Levels Salary
Associate... Level Associate Software Engineer$81,704
Software ... Level Associate Software Engineer$105,147
Software ... Level Associate Software Engineer$128,765
Software ... Level Associate Software Engineer$148,973
Software ... Level Associate Software Engineer$171,261

Top Paying Cities for Associate 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:

  • San Jose: $103,631
  • San Francisco: $102,497
  • Oakland: $100,336

What Skills Can Increase an Associate Software Engineer'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.
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 an Associate Software Engineer'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 $99,416
21%
Code Review $91,200
11%
Kubernetes $91,200
11%

Associate Software Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Software Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Associate Software Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Software Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Software Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$102,703$49.025%
Insurance$98,595$47.020%
Aerospace & Defense$94,487$45.015%
Internet$94,487$45.015%
Energy & Utilities$90,378$43.010%

How Education impacts an Associate Software Engineer's Salary?

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

Associate Software Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Software Engineer
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%

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

Understanding how an Associate 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 September 01, 2026
$75,412
Average $82,162/year
$88,394
$6,284
Average $6,847/month
$7,366
$1,450
Average $1,580/week
$1,700
$36
Average $40/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,394 $7,366 $1,700 $42
Average $82,162 $6,847 $1,580 $40
25th Percentile $75,412 $6,284 $1,450 $36

Most common benefits for Associate Software Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Associate Software Engineer

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

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FAQ about Associate Software Engineer

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Software Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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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