Staff Software Developer Salary in the United States

How much does a Staff Software Developer make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff Software Developer in the United States is $116,916 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $128,682
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,737 to $123,075
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $93,649

Key Factors That Influence Staff Software Developer Salaries

A Staff Software Developer'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 Staff Software Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Staff Software Developer'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): $73,100
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $102,179
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,762
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $138,678
  • Expert (over 8 years): $150,602
Levels Salary
Web Softw... Level Staff Software Developer$73,100
Web Softw... Level Staff Software Developer$102,179
Staff Sof... Level Staff Software Developer$117,762
Web Softw... Level Staff Software Developer$138,678
Web Softw... Level Staff Software Developer$150,602

Top Paying Cities for Staff Software Developers

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: $147,466
  • San Francisco: $145,852
  • Oakland: $142,778

What Skills Can Increase a Staff Software Developer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.63% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • HTML (Mentioned in 4.85% Job Postings): A computer language that used in creating, updating and maintaining text, graphics and links in a website.
  • SQL (Mentioned in 3.23% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.63%
HTML 4.85%
SQL 3.23%

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 Staff Software Developer's salary.

  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management $126,269
8%
Partnering $123,931
6%
Insight $121,593
4%

Staff Software Developer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Staff Software Developer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Staff Software Developer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Staff Software Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Staff Software Developer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$128,608$62.010%
Biotechnology$128,608$62.010%
Energy & Utilities$128,608$62.010%
Financial Services$128,608$62.010%
Healthcare$128,608$62.010%

How Education impacts a Staff Software Developer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Staff Software Developers enter the field with a Associate'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 Staff Software Developer with a Associate's Degree is between $109,547 and $116,280).

Staff Software Developer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Staff Software Developer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 9.7%
Associates 7.6%
Bachelors 56.2%
Masters 24.9%
Doctorate 0.2%

Staff Software Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Staff Software Developer'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
$104,737
Average $116,916/year
$123,075
$8,728
Average $9,743/month
$10,256
$2,014
Average $2,248/week
$2,367
$50
Average $56/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $123,075 $10,256 $2,367 $59
Average $116,916 $9,743 $2,248 $56
25th Percentile $104,737 $8,728 $2,014 $50

Most common benefits for Staff Software Developer

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

Common company salaries for Staff Software Developer

Here are companies hiring for Staff Software Developer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Staff Software Developer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Staff Software Developer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Staff Software Developer roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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