Software Engineer Salary — U.S. Market Overview
20 metropolitan markets · May 2026 · BLS OES
National Median
$140,000
Highest Market
San Francisco
$190,000
National Median
$140,000
20-market average
Lowest Market
Detroit
$115,000
| Market | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. | 90th Pct. | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $140,000 | $190,000 | $240,000 | $305,000 | +3.2% |
| New York, NY | $130,000 | $175,000 | $225,000 | $285,000 | +3.2% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $125,000 | $170,000 | $215,000 | $275,000 | +3.2% |
| Seattle, WA | $125,000 | $165,000 | $205,000 | $265,000 | +3.2% |
| Washington DC, DC | $120,000 | $160,000 | $200,000 | $255,000 | +3.2% |
| Boston, MA | $120,000 | $155,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 | +3.2% |
| San Diego, CA | $120,000 | $155,000 | $200,000 | $250,000 | +3.2% |
| Portland, OR | $110,000 | $145,000 | $185,000 | $235,000 | +3.2% |
| Chicago, IL | $105,000 | $140,000 | $180,000 | $225,000 | +3.2% |
| Austin, TX | $105,000 | $135,000 | $175,000 | $220,000 | +3.2% |
| Denver, CO | $105,000 | $135,000 | $175,000 | $220,000 | +3.2% |
| Miami, FL | $105,000 | $135,000 | $175,000 | $220,000 | +3.2% |
| Atlanta, GA | $95,000 | $125,000 | $155,000 | $200,000 | +3.2% |
| Dallas, TX | $95,000 | $125,000 | $160,000 | $205,000 | +3.2% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $95,000 | $125,000 | $160,000 | $205,000 | +3.2% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $95,000 | $125,000 | $155,000 | $200,000 | +3.2% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $90,000 | $120,000 | $150,000 | $195,000 | +3.2% |
| Nashville, TN | $90,000 | $120,000 | $155,000 | $195,000 | +3.2% |
| Raleigh, NC | $90,000 | $115,000 | $150,000 | $190,000 | +3.2% |
| Detroit, MI | $85,000 | $115,000 | $145,000 | $185,000 | +3.2% |