Software Developer Salary
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How Much Does a Software Developer Make?
Software Developers made a median salary of $103,620 in 2018. The best-paid 25 percent made $130,460 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $79,340.
Salary Outlook
What Is the Outlook for Software Developers?
The software developer field is growing in both salary and job volume. The BLS projects the software development (applications) field will grow by about 26% by 2028, with 241,500 jobs added by that time. This is compared with an estimated 12% growth for those in computer occupations.
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Best-Paying Cities for Software Developers
The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the software developer profession are San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Oxnard, and Madera.
San Francisco, California
$144,050
Seattle, Washington
$133,590
San Jose, California
$131,720
Oxnard, California
$122,920
Madera, California
$120,300
The 5 Best-Paying Cities for Software Developers

Best-Paying States for Software Developers
The states and districts that pay Software Developers the highest mean salary are Washington ($131,790), California ($127,950), New York ($116,830), Virginia ($113,690), and District of Columbia ($112,510).
Washington
$131,790
California
$127,950
New York
$116,830
Virginia
$113,690
District of Columbia
$112,510
What Is the Software Developer Salary by Place of Employment?
In addition to region and education, factors such as specialty, industry and employer have an effect on a software developer's salary. Software developers earn the highest average annual salaries working in these industries: independent artists, writers and performers ($271,150); computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing ($130,460); cable and other subscription programming ($125,510); securities and commodities contracts ($125,050); and aerospace product and parts manufacturing ($123,450).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a software developer’s salary per month?
A: A software developer earned an average of approximately $9,007 a month in 2018.
Q: What is a software developer’s salary in California?
A: On average, a software developer made $127,950 in California in 2018.
A: A software developer earned an average of approximately $9,007 a month in 2018.
Q: What is a software developer’s salary in California?
A: On average, a software developer made $127,950 in California in 2018.
Average Software Developer Pay vs. Other Best Jobs
Software Developers earned an average salary of $108,080 in 2018. Comparable jobs earned the following average salary in 2018: IT Managers made $152,860, Computer Network Architects made $111,130, Computer Systems Analysts made $93,610, and Computer Programmers made $89,580.
IT Manager
Computer Network Architect
Software Developer
Computer Systems Analyst
Computer Programmer
Jobs Related to Software Developer
Computer Systems Analyst – Average Salary $93,610
A computer systems analyst constructs computer systems and processes.
Computer Programmer – Average Salary $89,580
A computer programmer writes code that instructs everyday software programs how to run.
IT Manager – Average Salary $152,860
An IT manager coordinates technology matters for an organization.
Computer Network Architect – Average Salary $111,130
A computer network architect designs and maintains data communication networks.
A computer systems analyst constructs computer systems and processes.
Computer Programmer – Average Salary $89,580
A computer programmer writes code that instructs everyday software programs how to run.
IT Manager – Average Salary $152,860
An IT manager coordinates technology matters for an organization.
Computer Network Architect – Average Salary $111,130
A computer network architect designs and maintains data communication networks.