What are the main factors that influence a Software Development Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change a Software Development Engineer's salary?

A Software Development Engineer's salary grows with experience: starting around $124,756 for beginners, reaching about $127,045 at mid-level, and approach $135,653 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Software Development Engineer?

Software Development Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Software Development Engineer roles are District of Columbia $142,312, California $141,772, Massachusetts $139,882. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Software Development Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Software Development Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Principal Software Development Engineer: $169,315; Senior Software Development Engineer: $153,198; Lead Software Development Engineer: $150,830; Embedded Software Development Engineer: $132,717; Software Development Engineer III: $129,207.

Software Development Engineer Salary in Delaware

How much does a Software Development Engineer make in Delaware?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Development Engineer in Delaware is $130,165 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $151,770
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,025 to $141,474
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $110,793

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Software Development Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$141,474	$11,790	$2,721	$68
Average	$130,165	$10,847	$2,503	$63
25th Percentile	$120,025	$10,002	$2,308	$58

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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POSITION TITLE Software Development Engineer in Test

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POSITION TITLE Software Development Engineer in Test

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Key Factors That Influence Software Development Engineer Salaries

A Software Development 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software Development Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Development 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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $124,756
Early Career (1-2 years): $125,519
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $127,045
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $132,660
Expert (over 8 years): $135,653

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Software Development Engineer	$124,756
Intermediate Level Software Development Engineer	$125,519
Senior Level Software Development Engineer	$127,045
Specialist Level Software Development Engineer	$132,660
Expert Level Software Development Engineer	$135,653

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Software Development Engineer 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 Development Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $142,312.
California: $141,772.
Massachusetts: $139,882.

District of Columbia $142,312 California $141,772 Massachusetts $139,882 Washington $139,368 New Jersey $139,317 Alaska $139,137 Connecticut $137,363 New York $136,643

Hawaii $134,343 Rhode Island $133,263 Maryland $132,530 Minnesota $131,528 Colorado $131,142 Illinois $131,014 Oregon $130,525 Delaware $130,165

New Hampshire $129,939 Virginia $129,433 Pennsylvania $127,955 Nevada $127,209 North Dakota $126,965 Michigan $126,579 Wisconsin $126,438 Vermont $126,155

Texas $125,371 Maine $125,320 Arizona $125,243 Ohio $125,153 Georgia $123,970 Indiana $123,379 Wyoming $123,263 Utah $123,083

Iowa $123,006 Kansas $122,389 Louisiana $122,209 North Carolina $122,145 Missouri $122,119 Florida $121,618 Montana $121,348 Nebraska $121,091

Kentucky $120,950 South Carolina $120,435 Tennessee $120,114 Idaho $119,986 New Mexico $119,047 Oklahoma $118,842 Alabama $118,083 South Dakota $116,811

Arkansas $116,117 West Virginia $115,744 Mississippi $114,626

Top Paying Cities for Software Development Engineers

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:

Lincoln: $134,715
Little Creek: $133,469
Magnolia: $134,021

Lincoln, DE $134,715 Little Creek, DE $133,469 Magnolia, DE $134,021 Milford, DE $134,715 Marydel, DE $132,967 Millsboro, DE $134,715 Millville, DE $135,615 Milton, DE $134,715

Nassau, DE $134,715 Ocean View, DE $135,615 Rehoboth Beach, DE $135,615 Seaford, DE $133,302 Selbyville, DE $135,615 Smyrna, DE $132,813 Viola, DE $134,021 Woodside, DE $133,636

Bear, DE $131,836 Newark, DE $131,888 Claymont, DE $131,991 Delaware City, DE $131,888 Hockessin, DE $131,991 Kirkwood, DE $131,888 Middletown, DE $132,543 Montchanin, DE $131,991

New Castle, DE $131,991 Odessa, DE $132,723 Port Penn, DE $131,528 Rockland, DE $131,991 Saint Georges, DE $131,888 Townsend, DE $132,530 Winterthur, DE $131,991 Lewes, DE $134,715

Wilmington, DE $131,991 Dover, DE $133,404 Dover Afb, DE $133,713 Bethany Beach, DE $135,615 Bethel, DE $133,302 Bridgeville, DE $134,715 Camden Wyoming, DE $133,546 Cheswold, DE $133,096

Clayton, DE $132,762 Dagsboro, DE $135,615 Delmar, DE $133,302 Ellendale, DE $134,715 Felton, DE $134,715 Fenwick Island, DE $135,615 Frankford, DE $135,615 Frederica, DE $134,715

Georgetown, DE $134,715 Greenwood, DE $134,715 Harbeson, DE $134,715 Harrington, DE $134,715 Hartly, DE $132,697 Houston, DE $134,715 Kenton, DE $132,762 Laurel, DE $133,302

Yorklyn, DE $131,991

Software Development Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Development 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, 2026

$120,025

Average $130,165/year

$141,474

$10,002

Average $10,847/month

$11,790

$2,308

Average $2,503/week

$2,721

$58

Average $63/hour

$68

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$141,474	$11,790	$2,721	$68
Average	$130,165	$10,847	$2,503	$63
25th Percentile	$120,025	$10,002	$2,308	$58

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