Technology
Software Engineer Salary
Designs, builds, and maintains applications and systems software.
Low
$95,000
Average
$128,000
High
$170,000
What this role does
- Write, test, and ship production code
- Design system architecture and APIs
- Review pull requests and mentor other engineers
- Debug and resolve production incidents
Education & path in
Bachelor's in computer science or related field; bootcamp or self-taught paths are common with a strong portfolio
Experience level: Entry-level through senior/staff; most listings specify 0-8 years
Where it pays best
States that typically pay above the national average for this role: California, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, Texas. Actual pay depends heavily on metro area, employer size, and cost of living.
Job outlook
Much faster than average
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Figures are editorial estimates as of Jul 1, 2026, not official government statistics. For official data, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics.