Computer Software Developer Salary in the United States

How much does a Computer Software Developer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Computer Software Developer in the United States is $96,468 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $117,087
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $84,248 to $107,261
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,121
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View as table View as graph 25% $84,248 10% $73,121 90% $117,087 75% $107,261 $96,468 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Computer Software Developer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $107,261 $8,938 $2,063 $52
Average $96,468 $8,039 $1,855 $46
25th Percentile $84,248 $7,021 $1,620 $41
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Senior Software Developer

PIMCO - NEWPORT BEACH, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Computer Software Developer Salaries

A Computer Software Developer'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 Software Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Computer Software Developer'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): $93,074
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $93,583
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $94,771
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $96,129
  • Expert (over 8 years): $97,660
Levels Salary
Entry Level Computer Software Developer$93,074
Intermediate Level Computer Software Developer$93,583
Senior Level Computer Software Developer$94,771
Specialist Level Computer Software Developer$96,129
Expert Level Computer Software Developer$97,660
$93,074 0 yr
$93,583 < 2 yrs
$94,771 2-4 yrs
$96,129 5-8 yrs
$97,660 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Computer Software Developers

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: $121,675
  • San Francisco: $120,479
  • Oakland: $117,807

What Skills Can Increase a Computer Software Developer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 11.83% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Electrical Engineering (Mentioned in 2.04% Job Postings): Electrical engineering is a technical discipline concerned with the study, design and application of equipment, devices and systems which use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. It emerged as an identified activity in the latter half of the 19th century after commercialization of the electric telegraph, the telephone, and electrical power generation, distribution and use. Electrical engineering is now divided into a wide range of fields including, computer engineering, power engineering, telecommunications, radio-frequency engineering, signal processing, instrumentation, and electronics. Many of these disciplines overlap with other engineering branches, spanning a huge number of specializations including hardware engineering, power electronics, electromagnetics and waves, microwave engineering, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, renewable energies, mechatronics, and electrical materials science. See glossary of electrical and electronics engineering.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.71% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 11.83%
Electrical Engineering 2.04%
Microsoft Office 1.71%
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 a Computer Software Developer's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Electrical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
$104,186
8%
Analysis
$102,256
6%
Electrical Engineering
$101,292
5%
Written Communication
$101,292
5%
Procurement
$100,327
4%
Safety Training
$100,327
4%
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How Education impacts a Computer Software Developer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Computer Software Developers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Software Developer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $103,367 and $111,853).

Computer Software Developer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Computer Software Developer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.1%
High School 6.1%
Associates 11.0%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 22.0%
Doctorate 11.0%
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Computer Software Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Computer Software Developer'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Computer Software Developer

Salaries for a Computer Software Developer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $112,548 in 2023 to around $112,502 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Computer Software Developer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Computer Software Developer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$112,548
2024
$113,893
2025
$112,502
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $112,548
2024 $113,893
2025 $112,502
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Computer Software Developer

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

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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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