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Computer Application Development Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Computer Application Development Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Computer Application Development Engineer in the United States is $105,402 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

However, a Computer Application Development Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $128,954
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $98,719 to $117,730
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $92,635
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Computer Application Development Engineer Salaries

A Computer Application Development 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 Computer Application Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Computer Application Development 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): $81,198
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $104,496
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $127,967
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $148,050
  • Expert (over 8 years): $170,200
Levels Salary
Software ... Level Computer Application Development Engineer$81,198
Computer ... Level Computer Application Development Engineer$104,496
Software ... Level Computer Application Development Engineer$127,967
Software ... Level Computer Application Development Engineer$148,050
Software ... Level Computer Application Development Engineer$170,200
View as Graph

How Do Computer Application Development 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 Computer Application Development Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $116,701.
  • California: $116,258.
  • Massachusetts: $114,709.

Top Paying Cities for Computer Application Development 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: $132,944
  • San Francisco: $131,488
  • Oakland: $128,717

What Skills Can Increase a Computer Application Development Engineer'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 Computer Application Development Engineer'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 $110,672
5%
Open Source $110,672
5%
Software Engineering $110,672
5%
Get Latest Data

Computer Application Development Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Computer Application Development Engineer 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, Computer Application Development Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Computer Application Development Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Computer Application Development Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$137,023$66.030%
Internet$131,752$63.025%
Aerospace & Defense$126,482$61.020%
Energy & Utilities$121,212$58.015%
Biotechnology$115,942$56.010%

How Education impacts a Computer Application Development Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Computer Application Development 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 a Computer Application Development Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $98,028 and $103,426).

Computer Application Development Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Computer Application Development Engineer
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

Computer Application Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Computer Application Development 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
$98,719
Average $105,402/year
$117,730
$8,227
Average $8,784/month
$9,811
$1,898
Average $2,027/week
$2,264
$47
Average $51/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $117,730 $9,811 $2,264 $57
Average $105,402 $8,784 $2,027 $51
25th Percentile $98,719 $8,227 $1,898 $47

Most common benefits for Computer Application Development Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Computer Application Development Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Computer Application Development Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Computer Application Development Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Computer Application Development Engineer?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Computer Application Development Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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