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Software Dev Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Dev Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Dev Manager in the United States is $151,630 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $175,396
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,026 to $164,070
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $125,640
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Dev Manager Salaries

A Software Dev Manager'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 Dev Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Dev Manager'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): $74,057
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $103,517
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,304
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $140,494
  • Expert (over 8 years): $152,575
Levels Salary
Web Softw... Level Software Dev Manager$74,057
Web Softw... Level Software Dev Manager$103,517
Web Softw... Level Software Dev Manager$119,304
Web Softw... Level Software Dev Manager$140,494
Software ... Level Software Dev Manager$152,575
View as Graph

How Do Software Dev Manager 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 Dev Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $167,885.
  • California: $167,248.
  • Massachusetts: $165,019.

Top Paying Cities for Software Dev Managers

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: $191,251
  • San Francisco: $189,157
  • Oakland: $185,171

What Skills Can Increase a Software Dev Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 12.72% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • PHP (Mentioned in 5.27% Job Postings): PHP is a general-purpose scripting language geared toward web development. It was originally created by Danish-Canadian programmer Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994.
  • Interactive Design (Mentioned in 1.97% Job Postings): Interactive design is a user-oriented field of study that focuses on meaningful communication using media to create products through cyclical and collaborative processes between people and technology.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 12.72%
PHP 5.27%
Interactive Design 1.97%
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 Software Dev Manager's salary.

  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Web Services: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • People Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management $163,760
8%
Web Services $160,728
6%
People Management $159,212
5%
Get Latest Data

Software Dev Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Dev Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Dev Manager positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Dev Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Software Dev Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$181,956$87.020%

Software Dev Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Dev Manager'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 October 01, 2026
$138,026
Average $151,630/year
$164,070
$11,502
Average $12,636/month
$13,673
$2,654
Average $2,916/week
$3,155
$66
Average $73/hour
$79
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $164,070 $13,673 $3,155 $79
Average $151,630 $12,636 $2,916 $73
25th Percentile $138,026 $11,502 $2,654 $66

Most common benefits for Software Dev Manager

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

Common company salaries for Software Dev Manager

Here are companies hiring for Software Dev Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Software Dev Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Dev Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Dev Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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