Software Developers Salary 2025: $132,684 Median Pay (BLS OEWS)
- Official U.S. BLS OEWS data (May 2025)
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- Not self-reported estimates
$132,684 per year is the national median annual wage for software developers (BLS OEWS, May 2025 reference period). That works out to about $64/hour, with a 10th–90th percentile range of $138,420 to $289,150. The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies this role under SOC code 15-1252.
Key Facts (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Median annual wage
- $132,684
- Median hourly wage
- $64/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $154,545
- Total US employment
- 1,225,060
- Top-paying metro
- San Jose, CA, CA ($213,110)
- BLS SOC code
- 15-1252
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
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The national median wage for software developers (BLS SOC 15-1252) is $132,684 per year — about $64/hour — across 1,225,060 workers in 70 U.S. metros in the BLS OEWS May 2025 release. The mean wage of $154,545 sits above the median, which means a minority of high earners pulls the average up — the median is the more honest benchmark for a typical offer.
Experience drives the range as much as anything: the 10th percentile earns $95,467 while the 90th earns $212,163 — a 2.2× gap from entry-level to the top of the field. Most software developers land in the $117,718–$181,629 band (25th–75th percentile), which is the right anchor when you size up an offer.
Location matters too. San Jose, CA, CA posts the highest median at $213,110, versus $104,030 in Anchorage, AK, AK — a 105% gap. But adjusted for cost of living, Memphis, TN delivers the strongest real purchasing power ($149,500 in national-average dollars), which can flip the nominal ranking for anyone weighing a move.
As a Technology occupation, software developer pay carries a national-market premium: remote-friendly hiring lets high-paying coastal employers compete for talent anywhere, widening the geographic spread beyond what most fields show. OEWS reports base wage only — the equity and bonuses common in tech sit on top.
Software Developers Salary by Experience Level (2025)
BLS OEWS doesn’t publish wages by years of experience, but its national percentile bands map cleanly to career stages. Here’s what software developers earn from entry-level to the top of the field.
| Career stage | Typical experience | BLS percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | 0–2 years | 10th | $95,467 |
| Junior / early-career | 2–5 years | 25th | $117,718 |
| Mid-career | 5–10 years | 50th (median) | $151,095 |
| Senior | 10–15 years | 75th | $181,629 |
| Top earners | 15+ years | 90th | $212,163 |
Experience bands are SalaryTruth’s interpretation of BLS OEWS percentiles, not a separate BLS series. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and region.
Salary Range (BLS Percentiles)
Software Developers salaries range from $104,030 to $213,110 median across cities, depending on location, experience, and industry.
Software Developers Salary by City (BLS OEWS)
| City | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $138,420 | $168,296 | $213,110 | $251,130 | $289,150 | $108,841 | 87,350 |
| San Francisco, CA | $128,090 | $151,510 | $186,640 | $230,020 | $273,400 | $103,920 | 69,030 |
| Seattle, WA | $99,190 | $126,426 | $167,280 | $212,620 | $257,960 | $111,968 | 92,770 |
| New York, NY | $101,690 | $127,746 | $166,830 | $195,710 | $224,590 | $89,119 | 121,000 |
| Boston, MA | $102,950 | $128,206 | $166,090 | $190,095 | $214,100 | $109,198 | 42,310 |
| San Diego, CA | $95,420 | $122,560 | $163,270 | $193,265 | $223,260 | $101,916 | 20,610 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $102,200 | $126,380 | $162,650 | $192,985 | $223,320 | $118,291 | 3,090 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $98,270 | $123,330 | $160,920 | $192,035 | $223,150 | $96,940 | 55,540 |
| Portland, OR | $94,040 | $118,824 | $156,000 | $184,770 | $213,540 | $119,908 | 18,260 |
| Washington, DC | $96,450 | $119,842 | $154,930 | $184,295 | $213,660 | $101,394 | 69,060 |
| Sacramento, CA | $100,040 | $115,880 | $139,640 | $174,390 | $209,140 | $111,981 | 7,460 |
| Baltimore, MD | $87,290 | $107,934 | $138,900 | $181,225 | $223,550 | $121,629 | 16,850 |
| Denver, CO | $99,700 | $114,864 | $137,610 | $173,455 | $209,300 | $121,995 | 27,010 |
| Charlotte, NC | $93,690 | $110,582 | $135,920 | $154,140 | $172,360 | $140,558 | 20,820 |
| Chicago, IL | $83,820 | $104,044 | $134,380 | $168,895 | $203,410 | $125,238 | 40,370 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $86,540 | $105,636 | $134,280 | $170,885 | $207,490 | $128,498 | 4,850 |
| Austin, TX | $96,110 | $111,314 | $134,120 | $172,005 | $209,890 | $130,214 | 31,960 |
| Dallas, TX | $85,920 | $104,868 | $133,290 | $156,345 | $179,400 | $128,040 | 67,030 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA | $85,090 | $104,362 | $133,270 | $169,515 | $205,760 | $108,881 | 4,150 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $82,960 | $102,992 | $133,040 | $161,610 | $190,180 | $112,365 | 28,480 |
| Atlanta, GA | $83,400 | $103,224 | $132,960 | $155,645 | $178,330 | $134,032 | 36,300 |
| Raleigh, NC | $80,080 | $101,156 | $132,770 | $158,940 | $185,110 | $133,036 | 12,580 |
| Miami, FL | $80,440 | $101,324 | $132,650 | $165,965 | $199,280 | $107,758 | 18,900 |
| Hartford, CT | $86,800 | $105,088 | $132,520 | $154,455 | $176,390 | $117,691 | 6,010 |
| Richmond, VA | $84,290 | $103,422 | $132,120 | $170,555 | $208,990 | $129,403 | 7,680 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $82,500 | $102,200 | $131,750 | $156,105 | $180,460 | $130,834 | 29,380 |
| Boise, ID | $75,680 | $98,044 | $131,590 | $151,880 | $172,170 | $128,883 | 3,240 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $83,020 | $102,180 | $130,920 | $150,490 | $170,060 | $123,277 | 27,410 |
| Detroit, MI | $82,720 | $101,936 | $130,760 | $149,125 | $167,490 | $137,497 | 24,870 |
| Providence, RI | $84,130 | $102,754 | $130,690 | $151,390 | $172,090 | $109,456 | 5,020 |
| Spokane, WA | $80,670 | $100,678 | $130,690 | $166,155 | $201,620 | $134,179 | 1,840 |
| Madison, WI | $82,790 | $101,926 | $130,630 | $150,960 | $171,290 | $125,848 | 6,720 |
| Tampa, FL | $78,480 | $99,268 | $130,450 | $168,890 | $207,330 | $130,974 | 14,230 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $80,720 | $100,564 | $130,330 | $150,455 | $170,580 | $137,045 | 7,200 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $88,670 | $105,334 | $130,330 | $167,070 | $203,810 | $129,553 | 740 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $75,530 | $97,294 | $129,940 | $164,275 | $198,610 | $119,211 | 2,900 |
| Orlando, FL | $80,170 | $99,950 | $129,620 | $153,210 | $176,800 | $125,723 | 13,440 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $79,610 | $99,606 | $129,600 | $153,345 | $177,090 | $127,811 | 19,040 |
| Houston, TX | $80,400 | $100,016 | $129,440 | $155,605 | $181,770 | $134,135 | 22,940 |
| Fresno, CA | $78,060 | $98,460 | $129,060 | $152,235 | $175,410 | $122,332 | 740 |
| St. Louis, MO | $77,730 | $98,250 | $129,030 | $149,030 | $169,030 | $143,367 | 9,820 |
| San Antonio, TX | $80,560 | $99,708 | $128,430 | $147,150 | $165,870 | $140,361 | 8,010 |
| Albany, NY | $80,800 | $99,644 | $127,910 | $153,015 | $178,120 | $127,021 | 3,280 |
| Buffalo, NY | $79,080 | $98,588 | $127,850 | $150,290 | $172,730 | $138,216 | 3,960 |
| Nashville, TN | $78,410 | $97,690 | $126,610 | $147,840 | $169,070 | $126,231 | 7,750 |
| Des Moines, IA | $79,170 | $98,086 | $126,460 | $147,320 | $168,180 | $135,541 | 4,240 |
| Reno, NV | $64,090 | $88,738 | $125,710 | $149,745 | $173,780 | $118,038 | 1,200 |
| Memphis, TN | $77,520 | $96,744 | $125,580 | $146,790 | $168,000 | $149,500 | 2,270 |
| Birmingham, AL | $74,110 | $94,630 | $125,410 | $150,370 | $175,330 | $138,728 | 3,830 |
| Omaha, NE | $80,120 | $98,160 | $125,220 | $144,010 | $162,800 | $136,405 | 3,920 |
| Greensboro, NC | $79,180 | $97,584 | $125,190 | $147,150 | $169,110 | $137,119 | 1,710 |
| Kansas City, MO | $76,340 | $95,800 | $124,990 | $147,215 | $169,440 | $131,017 | 12,160 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $76,030 | $95,418 | $124,500 | $158,105 | $191,710 | $134,886 | 10,320 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $77,740 | $96,136 | $123,730 | $144,195 | $164,660 | $127,033 | 6,170 |
| Tucson, AZ | $79,090 | $96,938 | $123,710 | $154,265 | $184,820 | $129,675 | 4,060 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $78,290 | $96,454 | $123,700 | $153,140 | $182,580 | $131,596 | 2,280 |
| Lexington, KY | $79,770 | $97,266 | $123,510 | $145,390 | $167,270 | $135,279 | 1,430 |
| Rochester, NY | $79,580 | $96,856 | $122,770 | $146,470 | $170,170 | $132,153 | 4,650 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $77,090 | $95,210 | $122,390 | $147,700 | $173,010 | $141,491 | 3,820 |
| Columbus, OH | $80,130 | $97,014 | $122,340 | $146,170 | $170,000 | $131,407 | 9,880 |
| Greenville, SC | $67,630 | $89,294 | $121,790 | $159,835 | $197,880 | $135,172 | 2,070 |
| Knoxville, TN | $68,880 | $90,028 | $121,750 | $141,810 | $161,870 | $134,828 | 2,390 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $78,790 | $95,842 | $121,420 | $146,830 | $172,240 | $133,136 | 9,900 |
| Louisville, KY | $77,750 | $90,758 | $110,270 | $136,810 | $163,350 | $122,251 | 2,770 |
| Tulsa, OK | $76,140 | $89,176 | $108,730 | $137,655 | $166,580 | $125,265 | 1,960 |
| New Orleans, LA | $77,760 | $89,436 | $106,950 | $134,105 | $161,260 | $111,522 | 940 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $76,990 | $88,942 | $106,870 | $132,920 | $158,970 | $118,613 | 7,140 |
| Wichita, KS | $62,860 | $80,108 | $105,980 | $129,240 | $152,500 | $126,167 | 2,040 |
| Little Rock, AR | $61,990 | $78,822 | $104,070 | $129,050 | $154,030 | $117,993 | 1,590 |
| Anchorage, AK | $62,060 | $78,848 | $104,030 | $120,245 | $136,460 | $81,913 | 320 |
What Employers Actually Pay Software Developers (H-1B Filings)
BLS figures are survey estimates. When employers sponsor foreign workers they must file the wage they actually pay. Across 8,929 certified H-1B applications for this occupation (U.S. DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data), employers reported a median wage of $136,451 — 3% above the BLS all-worker median of $132,684. H-1B roles skew toward senior, specialized positions at large employers in high-cost metros, so they typically run above the broad BLS figure.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) H-1B LCA disclosure data. Figures are application-weighted across certified filings for SOC 15-1252.
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Software Developer & H-1B Prevailing Wage
Sponsoring or filing an H-1B, PERM, or E-3 case? See the DOL prevailing-wage levels (1–4) for Software Developer, including the 2026 proposed increase.
Software Developer prevailing wage in San Jose, CA →Explore Software Developer Pay Further
Frequently Asked Questions
The national median salary for Software Developer is $132,684 as of 2025 (BLS OEWS). The national mean (average) is $154,545. Salaries range from $104,030 to $213,110 median depending on city and cost of living.
Entry-level software developers (10th percentile) earn about $95,467 per year nationally. Pay rises with experience to a median of $132,684, $181,629 at the 75th percentile, and $212,163 for the top 10% of earners.
The median software developer earns about $64/hour, based on the $132,684 annual median over a standard 2,080-hour work year (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
San Jose, CA, CA posts the highest median for Software Developer at $213,110, well above the national median of $132,684. Cost of living matters, though — see the COL-adjusted column in the city table above, which can reorder the rankings.
There are approximately 1,225,060 Software Developer positions in the US across 70 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey.
The 90th percentile software developer earns $212,163 — about 2.2× the $95,467 entry-level wage. A spread that wide signals real income growth potential with experience, specialization, and location.
No. BLS OEWS reports base wages only — bonuses, commissions, overtime, and equity are excluded. For roles where variable pay is common, total compensation runs above the figures shown here.
Salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. COL adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.