What are the main factors that influence a Software Design Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Software Design Engineer's salary?

A Software Design Engineer's salary grows with experience: a Software Engineer I (0-2 years)earns $83,986, a Software Engineer II (2-4 years)earns $108,080, a Software Design Engineer (4-7 years)earns $132,364, a Software Engineer IV (7+ years)earns $153,143, a Software Engineer V (7-10 years)earns $176,040,

What are the highest paying states for a Software Design Engineer?

Software Design Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Software Design Engineer roles are District of Columbia $143,851, California $143,305, Massachusetts $141,395. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Software Design Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Software Design Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Software Release Engineer Expert: $171,990; Software Release Engineer Specialist: $139,290; Software Release Engineer Senior: $123,090; Electronics Design Engineer III: $120,800; Software Design: $110,962.

Software Design Engineer Salary in Delaware

How much does a Software Design Engineer make in Delaware?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Design Engineer in Delaware is $131,573 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,704
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,185 to $142,110
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $109,817

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Software Design Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$142,110	$11,843	$2,733	$68
Average	$131,573	$10,964	$2,530	$63
25th Percentile	$120,185	$10,015	$2,311	$58

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Check out Software Design Engineer Job Openings in Delaware

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The Imagine Group, An Imagine Company - Wilmington, DE

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JPMorgan Chase - Wilmington, DE

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ECCLESIASTES INC - Newark, DE

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Donato Technologies Inc - Wilmington, DE

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Key Factors That Influence Software Design Engineer Salaries

A Software Design 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 Software Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Design 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): $83,986
Early Career (1-2 years): $108,080
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $132,364
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $153,143
Expert (over 8 years): $176,040

Levels	Salary
Software ... Level Software Design Engineer	$83,986
Software ... Level Software Design Engineer	$108,080
Software ... Level Software Design Engineer	$132,364
Software ... Level Software Design Engineer	$153,143
Software ... Level Software Design Engineer	$176,040

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What Am I Worth?

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

District of Columbia: $143,851.
California: $143,305.
Massachusetts: $141,395.

District of Columbia $143,851 California $143,305 Massachusetts $141,395 Washington $140,876 New Jersey $140,824 Alaska $140,642 Connecticut $138,849 New York $138,121

Hawaii $135,796 Rhode Island $134,704 Maryland $133,964 Minnesota $132,950 Colorado $132,560 Illinois $132,431 Oregon $131,937 Delaware $131,573

New Hampshire $131,344 Virginia $130,832 Pennsylvania $129,338 Nevada $128,585 North Dakota $128,338 Michigan $127,948 Wisconsin $127,805 Vermont $127,519

Texas $126,727 Maine $126,675 Arizona $126,597 Ohio $126,506 Georgia $125,311 Indiana $124,713 Wyoming $124,596 Utah $124,414

Iowa $124,336 Kansas $123,713 Louisiana $123,531 North Carolina $123,466 Missouri $123,440 Florida $122,933 Montana $122,660 Nebraska $122,400

Kentucky $122,258 South Carolina $121,738 Tennessee $121,413 Idaho $121,283 New Mexico $120,335 Oklahoma $120,127 Alabama $119,360 South Dakota $118,074

Arkansas $117,372 West Virginia $116,996 Mississippi $115,865

Top Paying Cities for Software Design 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:

Lincoln: $130,981
Little Creek: $131,939
Magnolia: $131,750

Lincoln, DE $130,981 Little Creek, DE $131,939 Magnolia, DE $131,750 Milford, DE $131,313 Marydel, DE $131,529 Millsboro, DE $130,431 Millville, DE $130,632 Milton, DE $130,858

Nassau, DE $130,953 Ocean View, DE $130,610 Rehoboth Beach, DE $130,861 Seaford, DE $130,935 Selbyville, DE $130,393 Smyrna, DE $132,030 Viola, DE $131,422 Woodside, DE $131,776

Bear, DE $131,472 Newark, DE $131,422 Claymont, DE $131,691 Delaware City, DE $131,554 Hockessin, DE $131,411 Kirkwood, DE $131,529 Middletown, DE $131,580 Montchanin, DE $131,441

New Castle, DE $131,460 Odessa, DE $131,644 Port Penn, DE $131,733 Rockland, DE $131,453 Saint Georges, DE $131,538 Townsend, DE $131,741 Winterthur, DE $131,469 Lewes, DE $130,909

Wilmington, DE $131,417 Dover, DE $131,939 Dover Afb, DE $131,244 Bethany Beach, DE $130,473 Bethel, DE $130,608 Bridgeville, DE $130,916 Camden Wyoming, DE $131,568 Cheswold, DE $131,897

Clayton, DE $131,900 Dagsboro, DE $130,382 Delmar, DE $130,172 Ellendale, DE $130,567 Felton, DE $131,303 Fenwick Island, DE $130,410 Frankford, DE $130,183 Frederica, DE $131,433

Georgetown, DE $130,332 Greenwood, DE $130,936 Harbeson, DE $130,471 Harrington, DE $131,136 Hartly, DE $131,544 Houston, DE $130,949 Kenton, DE $131,907 Laurel, DE $130,254

Yorklyn, DE $131,450

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

Understanding how a Software Design 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 May 01, 2026

$120,185

Average $131,573/year

$142,110

$10,015

Average $10,964/month

$11,843

$2,311

Average $2,530/week

$2,733

$58

Average $63/hour

$68

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$142,110	$11,843	$2,733	$68
Average	$131,573	$10,964	$2,530	$63
25th Percentile	$120,185	$10,015	$2,311	$58

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