Freelance Software Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Freelance Software Engineer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Freelance Software Engineer in the United States is $103,359 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $118,767
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $96,913 to $111,424
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $91,043
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View as table View as graph 25% $96,913 10% $91,043 90% $118,767 75% $111,424 $103,359 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Freelance Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $111,424 $9,285 $2,143 $54
Average $103,359 $8,613 $1,988 $50
25th Percentile $96,913 $8,076 $1,864 $47
Check out Freelance Software Engineer Job Openings in the United States
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Country Intelligence Group - AUGUSTA, GA

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Key Factors That Influence Freelance Software Engineer Salaries

A Freelance 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 Freelance Software Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Freelance 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): $101,121
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $101,569
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $102,464
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $106,434
  • Expert (over 8 years): $108,797
Levels Salary
Entry Level Freelance Software Engineer$101,121
Intermediate Level Freelance Software Engineer$101,569
Senior Level Freelance Software Engineer$102,464
Specialist Level Freelance Software Engineer$106,434
Expert Level Freelance Software Engineer$108,797
$101,121 0 yr
$101,569 < 2 yrs
$102,464 2-4 yrs
$106,434 5-8 yrs
$108,797 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Freelance 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: $130,367
  • San Francisco: $129,085
  • Oakland: $126,222

What Skills Can Increase a Freelance Software Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.8% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Cybersecurity (Mentioned in 3.56% Job Postings): Computer security, cybersecurity or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems from the theft of or damage to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. The field is becoming more important due to increased reliance on computer systems, the Internet and wireless network standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and due to the growth of "smart" devices, including smartphones, televisions, and the various devices that constitute the "Internet of things". Due to its complexity, both in terms of politics and technology, cybersecurity is also one of the major challenges in the contemporary world.
  • CPA (Mentioned in 2.09% Job Postings): A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.8%
Cybersecurity 3.56%
CPA 2.09%
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 Freelance Software Engineer's salary.
  • Authenticity: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Authenticity
$111,628
8%
Analysis
$107,493
4%
Insight
$106,460
3%
Leadership
$106,460
3%
Risk Assessment
$106,460
3%
Collaboration
$106,460
3%
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How Education impacts a Freelance Software Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Freelance 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 a Freelance Software Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $106,982 and $113,448).

Freelance Software Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Freelance Software Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.5%
High School 3.5%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 48.7%
Masters 45.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Freelance Software Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Freelance 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Freelance Software Engineer

Salaries for a Freelance Software Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $112,021 in 2023 to around $108,383 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Freelance Software Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Freelance Software Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$112,021
2024
$110,426
2025
$108,383
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $112,021
2024 $110,426
2025 $108,383
2026
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2027
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Most common benefits for Freelance Software Engineer

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

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Freelance Software Engineer 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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