Software Engineering Group Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Engineering Group Manager in the United States is $158,047 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $76.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $174,032
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,012 to $166,414
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $119,771

Key Factors That Influence Software Engineering Group Manager Salaries

A Software Engineering Group 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software Engineering Group Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Engineering Group 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): $87,702
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $130,965
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $159,438
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $183,623
  • Expert (over 8 years): $205,157
Levels Salary
Engineeri... Level Software Engineering Group Manager$87,702
Engineeri... Level Software Engineering Group Manager$130,965
Software ... Level Software Engineering Group Manager$159,438
Engineeri... Level Software Engineering Group Manager$183,623
Engineeri... Level Software Engineering Group Manager$205,157

How Do Software Engineering Group 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 Engineering Group Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $174,990.
  • California: $174,326.
  • Massachusetts: $172,003.

Top Paying Cities for Software Engineering Group 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: $199,345
  • San Francisco: $197,162
  • Oakland: $193,007

What Skills Can Increase a Software Engineering Group Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 10.73% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Python (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
  • AWS (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Amazon Web Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 10.73%
Python 1.86%
AWS 1.47%

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 Engineering Group Manager's salary.

  • Product Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Identity and Access Management: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Product Management $177,013
12%
Identity and Access Management $177,013
12%
Computer Science $177,013
12%

Software Engineering Group Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Engineering Group Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Software Engineering Group Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Engineering Group Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Engineering Group Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$213,363$103.035%
Financial Services$205,461$99.030%
Energy & Utilities$189,656$91.020%
Biotechnology$181,754$87.015%
Pharmaceuticals$181,754$87.015%

How Education impacts a Software Engineering Group Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Engineering Group Managers 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 Software Engineering Group Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $147,146 and $155,639).

Software Engineering Group Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Engineering Group Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 2.7%
Associates 3.3%
Bachelors 43.7%
Masters 42.1%
Doctorate 8.0%

Software Engineering Group Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Engineering Group 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 September 01, 2026
$138,012
Average $158,047/year
$166,414
$11,501
Average $13,171/month
$13,868
$2,654
Average $3,039/week
$3,200
$66
Average $76/hour
$80
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $166,414 $13,868 $3,200 $80
Average $158,047 $13,171 $3,039 $76
25th Percentile $138,012 $11,501 $2,654 $66

Most common benefits for Software Engineering Group Manager

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

Common company salaries for Software Engineering Group Manager

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

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FAQ about Software Engineering Group Manager

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Engineering Group Manager roles, with salaries approximately 35% 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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