Chief Software Engineer Salary in the United States

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What is the highest and lowest pay for Chief Software Engineer?

As of January 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Chief Software Engineer in the United States is $181,188. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $150,377 to a high of $216,199, with most professionals earning between $165,060 and $199,514.

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Salary range for a Chief Software Engineer
$165,060 to $199,514
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Chief Software Engineer Salary in Major Cities

This chart shows the salary comparison for Chief Software Engineer between major cities. San Francisco City consistently ranks #1 as of January 01, 2025. Click on the chart to see the detail salary data for Chief Software Engineer in each city.

Chief Software Engineer Salary by City

Click to see the salary for Chief Software Engineer in these major U.S. cities.
City Name Average Salary
San Francisco, CA $226,485
Washington, DC $201,663
Miami, FL $174,847
Chicago, IL $190,067
Boston, MA $203,112
New York, NY $211,628
Dallas, TX $178,833
If you'd like know Chief Software Engineer Salary in other cities, then please select a city in

Average Salary Range for Chief Software Engineer

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
165060
199514
181188

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
177914
222739
197692
What is the average salary for Chief Software Engineer in 2025?
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Chief Software Engineer in the United States. The base salary for Chief Software Engineer ranges from $165,060 to $199,514 with the average base salary of $181,188. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $177,914 to $222,739 with the average total cash compensation of $197,692.

View Average Salary for Chief Software Engineer as table

Average Salary Average Salary Range
Base Salary $181,188 $165,060 - $199,514
Bonus $16,503 $12,853 - $23,225
Total Pay $197,692 $177,914 - $222,739
* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.
* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

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Salary.com Estimate Salary Tool provides free, accurate and real-time salary for thousands of careers. Please enter the following pay factors for Chief Software Engineer, to get a real-time salary target. If you want to get more detailed salary information, please view Professional Salary Report
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Your target salary is ?
165060
199514

 

Comments about Chief Software Engineer

What's the difference between Chief Software Architect and Chief Software Engineer?
According to our latest salary estimation on January 01, 2025. The average salary of Chief Software Engineer is $181,188, and the average salary of Chief Software Architect is $138,141. The average salary of Chief Software Architect is lower than Chief Software Engineer. ( 2024-12-24 salary.com )
I am a Chief Software Engineer, which location’s salary is higher, Framingham, MA or Boca Raton, FL?
Framingham, MA typically sees higher pay than Boca Raton, FL for Chief Software Engineer. a Chief Software Engineer Salary in Framingham, MA is $196,589 as of January 01, 2025; a Chief Software Engineer Salary in Boca Raton, FL is $177,383 as of January 01, 2025. ( 2024-12-24 salary.com )

Chief Software Engineer Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the salary of a Chief Software Engineer vary from city to city?
The cost of living is tied to salaries. If the expenses are higher in a particular city, then the wage level will be higher as well to afford the people can opportunity to live there. This is why you're always going to make more money in New York City for example, than in a small town. ( 2024-12-24 salary.com )
What are the Pay Factors for Chief Software Engineer?
Salary ranges for a Chief Software Engineer can vary widely, depending on the city and several other pay factors, including (but not limited to) education level, certifications, additional skills, and work experience. Click here to view Eight Factors That Can Affect Your Pay ( 2024-12-24 salary.com )
How the Pay Factors Influence Your Pay?
Salaries are ultimately dictated by the position being applied to, and hiring company, but there are several important pay factors that come into play based on your individual history that could impact your value to the company. Salary.com's Personal Salary Report will analyze these factors for you to help you maximize your earning potential. ( 2024-12-24 salary.com )

Recently searched related titles: Software Engineering Team Lead

Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

Jobs with a similar salary range to Chief Software Engineer : Senior Principal Engineer, Senior Principal Software Engineer

Last Update: January 01, 2025