Software engineer salaries vary widely based on experience, location, and employer type
A software engineer's salary depends on how many years they have worked, where they live, and whether they work for a startup, mid-size company, or large tech corporation. Entry-level engineers typically earn between $60,000 and $85,000 per year. Mid-career engineers with five to ten years of experience usually make $100,000 to $150,000 annually. Senior engineers and those in leadership roles often earn $150,000 to $250,000 or more, depending on the company and region.
These figures represent base salary only and do not include stock options, bonuses, or other compensation that many tech companies offer. The actual total package can be significantly higher, especially at large publicly traded companies where stock grants are common.
Key Takeaways
- Entry-level software engineers typically earn $60,000 to $85,000 annually, while mid-career engineers make $100,000 to $150,000.
- Senior engineers and engineering managers often earn $150,000 to $250,000 or more, with variation based on company size and location.
- Tech hubs like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle offer higher salaries than smaller cities, often 20 to 40 percent above the national average.
- Large tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple typically pay more than startups, and often include stock options and bonuses on top of base salary.
- Specialized skills in machine learning, cloud infrastructure, and security engineering command higher salaries than general software development roles.
How location affects what you earn
Where you work matters as much as what you do. Software engineers in San Francisco, the San Jose area, and Seattle earn significantly more than those in smaller cities or rural regions. A mid-level engineer in San Francisco might earn $140,000 to $180,000, while the same role in Austin, Texas or Denver, Colorado pays $110,000 to $140,000. Engineers in smaller markets or regions with lower costs of living often earn $80,000 to $120,000 for the same experience level.
Remote work has changed this somewhat. Some companies now pay based on where you live rather than where the company is headquartered, while others pay the same salary regardless of location. It is worth asking during the interview process whether the company adjusts pay for remote workers in lower-cost areas.
What company size and type mean for your paycheck
Large established tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon typically pay more than smaller firms. At these companies, a mid-level engineer might earn $130,000 to $180,000 in base salary, plus stock grants worth $50,000 to $100,000 or more over four years, plus annual bonuses of 10 to 20 percent of base salary.
Startups and smaller companies often pay less in base salary—sometimes $80,000 to $120,000 for the same experience level—but may offer stock options that could become valuable if the company succeeds. Financial services companies, healthcare software firms, and defense contractors often pay at the higher end because they have larger budgets and compete for talent against tech giants.
How experience and specialization change earnings
Your first job out of college or a bootcamp typically pays $60,000 to $85,000. After two to three years, you move into mid-level roles paying $100,000 to $140,000. At five to seven years, senior engineer roles start at $140,000 and go up to $200,000 or more. Engineering managers and staff engineers (a senior technical track) often earn $180,000 to $300,000 depending on the company.
Specialization also matters. Engineers who work with machine learning, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure), or security typically earn 10 to 25 percent more than general software developers. informed in less common languages or frameworks—Go, Rust, Kubernetes—also commands higher pay because fewer people have those skills.
What's included beyond base salary
At large tech companies, your total compensation often exceeds your base salary significantly. Stock grants, usually vested over four years, can add $50,000 to $200,000 or more annually depending on the company and your level. Annual bonuses range from 10 to 30 percent of base salary. Sign-on bonuses for experienced hires often run $20,000 to $100,000.
Smaller companies and startups may offer lower base salaries but compensate with stock options that represent ownership in the company. These options are worth nothing if the company fails but can be worth millions if it succeeds. Always ask what percentage of the company the options represent and what the vesting schedule is.
Regional salary differences across the United States
The highest-paying regions are the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, New York City, and Los Angeles. In these areas, mid-level engineers often earn $130,000 to $170,000 in base salary. Austin, Denver, Boston, and Washington DC pay 10 to 20 percent less. Smaller cities and regions outside major tech hubs typically pay 20 to 40 percent less than San Francisco, though the cost of living is also lower.
International locations vary even more. Software engineers in London, Toronto, and Sydney earn less than their San Francisco counterparts but more than engineers in India, Eastern Europe, or Southeast Asia, where salaries can be 50 to 70 percent lower. This difference is one reason companies hire remote engineers from lower-cost countries.
How to research actual salaries for specific roles
Websites like Levels.fyi, Blind, Glassdoor, and PayScale collect salary reports from current and former employees at specific companies. Levels.fyi is particularly useful because it breaks down salary by company, location, and experience level, and includes stock and bonus information. Blind is an anonymous forum where tech workers discuss compensation, so the information tends to be candid.
When you receive a job offer, you can also research what others in that role earn by checking these sites for the specific company and location. Salary negotiation is normal in tech—most offers have room to move, especially if you have competing offers or relevant experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do software engineers make more than other tech jobs?
Software engineers typically earn more than web developers, QA testers, and IT support staff, but less than specialized roles like machine learning engineers or senior architects at large companies. Salaries overlap significantly depending on experience and company. A senior QA engineer at Google might earn more than a junior software engineer at a startup.
What's the difference between a software engineer and a software developer?
The terms are often used interchangeably, though some companies distinguish between them. "Software engineer" typically implies more responsibility for system design and architecture, while "developer" may focus more on writing code. Salaries are usually similar for the same experience level, though the title can affect how much you earn when changing jobs.
Do bootcamp graduates earn less than computer science degree holders?
Starting salaries are often similar—both may earn $65,000 to $85,000 in their first role. However, some large companies prefer or require a four-year degree, which can limit bootcamp graduates' options at those firms. Over time, experience and skills matter more than how you learned, so the gap typically closes after a few years.
How much do remote software engineers earn compared to in-office workers?
Remote engineers at the same company doing the same work usually earn the same base salary. However, some companies pay less for remote workers in lower-cost areas, while others pay the same regardless of location. Always clarify the company's remote pay policy before accepting an offer.
Can software engineers negotiate their salary?
Yes. Most tech companies expect negotiation and build room into their initial offers. Having competing offers, relevant experience, or specialized skills strengthens your position. Even a 5 to 10 percent increase in base salary compounds over your career, so negotiation is worth the effort.