National median base salary of $132,000, with a typical range of $78,000 to $215,000 depending on level, metro and industry.
Software engineers in the United States typically earn a base salary between $78,000 and $215,000, with a national median near $132,000. Entry-level engineers commonly start between $78,000 and $110,000; mid-level engineers with two to five years of experience sit around $128,000; senior engineers cluster near $165,000; and staff or principal engineers reach $205,000 to $255,000 and above. Location is the largest single variable — Bay Area base pay runs roughly 28% above the national median.
Base salary bands by seniority. Ranges are national; see the metro table below for location adjustments.
| Level | Experience | Range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry / Junior Engineer | 0–2 years | $78K – $110K | $92,000 |
| Mid-level Engineer | 2–5 years | $105K – $150K | $128,000 |
| Senior Engineer | 5–8 years | $140K – $195K | $165,000 |
| Staff Engineer | 8–12 years | $175K – $250K | $205,000 |
| Principal Engineer | 12+ years | $210K – $330K | $255,000 |
Indicative US base-salary ranges for 2026, compiled from publicly posted pay ranges and published industry salary surveys. Figures are base salary only — they exclude bonus, equity and benefits — and actual pay varies by employer, metro, industry and individual experience.
Cost of labour is the largest single source of pay variance. These figures apply each metro's adjustment to the $132,000 national median.
| Metro | vs national | Adjusted median |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Bay Area, CA | +28% | $169,000 |
| Seattle, WA | +20% | $158,500 |
| New York, NY | +18% | $156,000 |
| Boston, MA | +12% | $148,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | +10% | $145,000 |
| Washington, DC | +8% | $142,500 |
| Austin, TX | +6% | $140,000 |
| Chicago, IL | +4% | $137,500 |
| Denver, CO | +2% | $134,500 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth, TX | +1% | $133,500 |
| Atlanta, GA | -3% | $128,000 |
| Phoenix, AZ | -5% | $125,500 |
Demand remains concentrated in senior and specialist roles. Postings requiring cloud, data-platform or machine-learning systems experience have grown fastest, while generalist junior openings are the most competitive segment of the market.
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