Self Employed Software Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Self Employed Software Engineer in the United States is $115,799 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $134,382
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,125 to $125,526
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $95,407
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View as table View as graph 25% $105,125 10% $95,407 90% $134,382 75% $125,526 $115,799 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Self Employed Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $125,526 $10,461 $2,414 $60
Average $115,799 $9,650 $2,227 $56
25th Percentile $105,125 $8,760 $2,022 $51
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Key Factors That Influence Self Employed Software Engineer Salaries

A Self Employed 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Self Employed Software Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Self Employed 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): $112,093
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $112,834
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $114,020
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $115,502
  • Expert (over 8 years): $118,089
Levels Salary
Entry Level Self Employed Software Engineer$112,093
Intermediate Level Self Employed Software Engineer$112,834
Senior Level Self Employed Software Engineer$114,020
Specialist Level Self Employed Software Engineer$115,502
Expert Level Self Employed Software Engineer$118,089
$112,093 0 yr
$112,834 < 2 yrs
$114,020 2-4 yrs
$115,502 5-8 yrs
$118,089 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Self Employed Software 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 Self Employed Software Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $128,213.
  • California: $127,726.
  • Massachusetts: $126,024.

Top Paying Cities for Self Employed 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: $146,057
  • San Francisco: $144,621
  • Oakland: $141,414

What Skills Can Increase a Self Employed Software Engineer'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%

Self Employed Software Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Self Employed 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$105,125
Average $115,799/year
$125,526
$8,760
Average $9,650/month
$10,461
$2,022
Average $2,227/week
$2,414
$51
Average $56/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,526 $10,461 $2,414 $60
Average $115,799 $9,650 $2,227 $56
25th Percentile $105,125 $8,760 $2,022 $51

Salaries of jobs related to Self Employed Software Engineer

Salary Trends for Self Employed Software Engineer

Salaries for a Self Employed Software Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $111,277 in 2023 to around $106,037 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Self Employed Software Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Self Employed Software Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$111,277
2024
$108,593
2025
$106,037
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $111,277
2024 $108,593
2025 $106,037
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Self Employed Software Engineer

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401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Self Employed Software Engineer

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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.)

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