Translate

Salary of a Software Engineer

Average Salary of a Software Engineer in 2025

Want to know what software engineers really earn in 2025? This guide shares real salary data from leading companies and job boards. It helps you see what you might gain.

What's the Average Software Engineer's Salary?

$147,338 per year (Average)

This number comes from big job sites like Glassdoor, PayScale, Indeed, and Levels. The salary has grown by about 6% from last year, showing a strong demand for tech talent.

Salary of a Software Engineer


Software Engineer's Salary Key Metrics 2025

Average salary: PayScale reports $96,255 per year, while Glassdoor lists $147,338 per year. Levels. fyi shows a $185,000 median, showing how salaries vary by company size and location.

Salary range: $80,000 to over $400,000 per year, with most software engineers earning between $100,000 and $200,000.

Salary by experience:

  • Junior software engineers: $80,000 to $110,000 per year

  • Mid-level software engineers: $120,000 to $160,000 per year

  • Senior software engineers: $150,000 to $250,000+ per year

75th percentile: About $200,000 a year. This means 25% of software engineers earn more.

Sources report that junior software engineers in the USA make about $120,000 a year. In contrast, senior roles can earn over $250,000. An analysis of over 8,600 salaries from popular job boards shows similar ranges in the industry.

Salary Regional Comparison

Here's how salaries in different countries compare to the U.S. national average:

Country

Average Salary

Difference vs. U.S.

United States

$147,338

Base

India

₹1,479,213 ($17,750)

-88%

Kenya

KSh 1,914,348 ($12,095)

-92%

United Kingdom

£55,000 ($68,750)

-53%

The United States provides great value for software engineers. Salaries and career growth are strong, especially in tech hubs like San Francisco and Seattle.

Salary of a Software Engineer


4 Tips to Grow as a Software Engineer

  1. Learn Cloud Technologies: AWS certification can boost salaries by 10-15%, says Coursera's 2024 tech report. Cloud skills are in high demand across all companies.

  2. Master high-demand programming languages: Python and JavaScript developers earn 8-12% more than average. Focus on languages that match the current job market needs.

  3. Top Tech Companies: Google software engineers make a median total compensation of $300,000. OpenAI offers a higher median of $875,000—Target FAANG companies for the highest pay.

  4. Develop Full-Stack Skills: Full-stack developers earn about 15% more than specialists, says PayScale. Learn both front-end and back-end technologies.

FAQs About Software Engineers

Is the average salary of a software engineer before or after taxes?

It's gross annual salary before tax, according to Glassdoor FAQs. You'll need to subtract federal and state taxes from this amount.

Does the software engineer's salary include bonuses?

No, most job platforms list bonuses separately. Many software engineers also receive stock options and signing bonuses.

How much do entry-level software engineers make in 2025?

Entry-level software engineers usually make between $80,000 and $110,000 each year. Tech companies often pay more than traditional businesses for starting salaries.

What programming languages pay the most for software engineers?

Python, JavaScript, and Go developers tend to earn the highest salaries. Specialized skills like machine learning and cloud computing also boost pay.

Do software engineers make more money than other tech jobs?

In 2025, software engineers earned an average of $147,338. Data scientists made $130,000, while product managers earned $140,000.

How does location affect a software engineer's salary?

Software engineers in San Francisco and Seattle make 40-60% more than the national average. However, the cost of living is much higher there, too.

Are software engineer salaries growing in 2025?

Software engineer salaries rose about 6% from 2024 to 2025. This shows a strong demand for tech talent.

What skills help software engineers earn more money?

Cloud computing, machine learning, DevOps, and system design skills command the highest premiums. Leadership and communication skills also boost senior-level pay.

Note: All pay information is current as of 2025. Your actual pay may be different based on your situation and how well you negotiate.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Salary of a CMA

Salary of a Crime Scene Investigator

Salary of a Medical Assistant

Salary of a Writer

Salary of a Notary

Salary of a Data Scientist

Salary of a Model