Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Developer in Illinois is $131,781 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Software Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Recruit with AI
Software Developer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $143,075 | $11,923 | $2,751 | $69 |
| Average | $131,781 | $10,982 | $2,534 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $121,398 | $10,116 | $2,335 | $58 |
CAI - Chicago, IL
DRW Inc - Chicago, IL
DV Trading - Chicago, IL
Canonical - Chicago, IL
A 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Software ... Level Software Developer | $83,090 |
| Software ... Level Software Developer | $106,930 |
| Software ... Level Software Developer | $130,951 |
| Software ... Level Software Developer | $151,504 |
| Software ... Level Software Developer | $174,166 |
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 Software Developers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Software Developer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 14% above the average. In contrast, Software Developer positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $150,231 | $72.0 | 14% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $147,595 | $71.0 | 12% |
| Internet | $146,277 | $70.0 | 11% |
| Biotechnology | $144,959 | $70.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $143,642 | $69.0 | 9% |
Understanding how a 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $143,075 | $11,923 | $2,751 | $69 |
| Average | $131,781 | $10,982 | $2,534 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $121,398 | $10,116 | $2,335 | $58 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Developer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Uline
Waukegan, IL
Uline | Waukegan, IL
Software Developer - Java Pay from $80,000 to $119,000 per year 2200 S. Lakeside Drive, Waukegan, IL 60085 Are you ready to design, innovate and lead in a ... more
6 Days Ago
Hubstaff
Chicago, IL
Hubstaff | Chicago, IL
What you know matters.Our client is Erisys a casual spot to hang out, share your everyday know-how and teach everyone how to make better choices.We are ded... more
8 Days Ago
YMCA of the USA
Lincolnwood, IL
YMCA of the USA | Lincolnwood, IL
Job DescriptionThe Software Developer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and integrating technology solutions that enable seamless operations and ... more
8 Days Ago
Solerity
O'Fallon, IL
Solerity | O'Fallon, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Take the next steps to your professional success as Solerity is a recognized leader in providing Information... more
5 Days Ago
Genesis10
Chicago, IL
Genesis10 | Chicago, IL
To apply, please submit a formal application through our website:Dev10 Apply Here Please note:Applications submitted through this job posting will not be r... more
6 Days Ago
Seneca Holdings
Rock Island Arsenal, IL
Seneca Holdings | Rock Island Arsenal, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Western Door Federal. is part of the S. eneca Nation Group (SNG). portfolio of companies. SNG. is Seneca Holdings' federa... more
6 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
