Software Engineer Salary Guide 2024: Full Breakdown by City & Level

Software engineering remains one of the highest-paying careers globally. Here is a complete breakdown of what software engineers earn in 2024.

National Median: $115,000/year

The US national median for a software engineer is $115,000/year, but this varies enormously by location — from $75,000 in rural markets to $185,000+ in San Francisco.

Salary by City

City has the biggest impact on software engineer pay. Top-paying markets:

• San Francisco, CA: $165,000–$195,000 (highest in the US)
• Seattle, WA: $150,000–$175,000 (Amazon, Microsoft HQ)
• New York, NY: $145,000–$170,000 (finance-tech premium)
• Austin, TX: $120,000–$140,000 (no state income tax)
• Chicago, IL: $115,000–$135,000

Salary by Programming Language

• Rust: $120,000–$160,000 (rare, systems-level)
• Go (Golang): $118,000–$155,000 (cloud-native)
• Python: $112,000–$150,000 (AI/ML demand)
• TypeScript/JavaScript: $105,000–$145,000
• Java: $105,000–$140,000 (enterprise)
• PHP/WordPress: $70,000–$95,000 (lower ceiling)

How to Reach $200k+

Breaking the $200k threshold requires: (1) working at a top-tier tech company (FAANG), (2) specializing in ML or systems programming, (3) reaching Staff Engineer or above, or (4) moving to a high-cost tech hub with equity compensation. Stock refreshes and signing bonuses at top companies regularly push total comp above $250k even for mid-level engineers.

Experience Level Breakdown

• Entry (0–2 yrs): $85,000–$105,000
• Mid (3–7 yrs): $110,000–$145,000
• Senior (8+ yrs): $145,000–$200,000+
• Staff / Principal: $200,000–$350,000+

FAQ

What affects a software engineer salary most? Seniority, specialised skills, company tier, and city — the same role can pay very differently across metros. See the good-salary breakdowns.

Should I switch jobs to increase my software engineer salary? A strategic move often pays more than internal raises, but weigh benefits and growth too. Compare with the salary calculator.