As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Software Engineer in the United States is $175,006 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.
However, a Chief Software Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Chief 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Chief 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Chief Software Engineer | $170,775 |
| Intermediate Level Chief Software Engineer | $171,414 |
| Senior Level Chief Software Engineer | $171,670 |
| Specialist Level Chief Software Engineer | $172,949 |
| Expert Level Chief Software Engineer | $177,650 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Chief Software Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 2.92% |
| Open Source | 3.61% |
| AWS | 2.75% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Relationship Management
|
$211,757 |
21%
|
|
Accountability
|
$185,506 |
6%
|
|
Innovation
|
$185,506 |
6%
|
|
Networking
|
$182,006 |
4%
|
|
Scrum
|
$182,006 |
4%
|
|
Initiative
|
$180,256 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chief Software Engineers 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 Chief Software Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $168,870 and $177,702).
Chief Software Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 2.5% |
| Associates | 2.0% |
| Bachelors | 43.2% |
| Masters | 43.9% |
| Doctorate | 7.8% |
Understanding how a Chief 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.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for a Chief Software Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $167,915 in 2023 to around $165,633 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Chief Software Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $167,915 |
| 2024 | $166,891 |
| 2025 | $165,633 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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