Software Developers Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for software developers in the United States is $135,980 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) — real government survey data, not an algorithmic salary estimate. Pay ranges from $82,460 at the 10th percentile to $214,670 at the 90th percentile. In the UK, the equivalent occupation (Programmers and software development professionals) has a median of £55,587 — figures are shown in local currency and are not converted. Signing a US offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $82,460 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $105,210 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $135,980 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $171,980 | Experienced |
| 90th | $214,670 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $174,410 | $186,770 | 284,000 |
| Washington | $166,540 | $171,040 | 107,000 |
| New York | $166,180 | $163,820 | 114,000 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 | $161,730 | 48,000 |
| Oregon | $142,720 | $149,060 | 22,000 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 | $144,530 | 11,000 |
| Maryland | $138,680 | $151,560 | 31,000 |
| Colorado | $138,390 | $150,940 | 43,000 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 | $144,430 | 6,000 |
| Virginia | $136,460 | $146,340 | 88,000 |
| New Jersey | $135,940 | $143,800 | 52,000 |
| North Carolina | $134,710 | $136,940 | 58,000 |
| Connecticut | $134,120 | $141,260 | 14,000 |
| Delaware | $133,020 | $138,110 | 3,000 |
| Texas | $132,150 | $136,450 | 164,000 |
| Illinois | $132,110 | $136,540 | 56,000 |
| Idaho | $131,590 | $134,370 | 6,000 |
| Georgia | $131,010 | $132,150 | 50,000 |
| Florida | $130,980 | $137,010 | 88,000 |
| Rhode Island | $130,590 | $129,080 | 5,000 |
| Minnesota | $130,050 | $127,530 | 36,000 |
| Arizona | $129,690 | $132,530 | 38,000 |
| South Carolina | $129,450 | $136,240 | 13,000 |
| Nevada | $128,810 | $137,350 | 5,000 |
| Utah | $128,810 | $129,860 | 32,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $126,550 | $128,110 | 56,000 |
| Missouri | $126,120 | $123,810 | 20,000 |
| Michigan | $125,570 | $122,720 | 43,000 |
| Vermont | $125,280 | $136,100 | 2,000 |
| New Mexico | $124,520 | $126,620 | 4,000 |
| Hawaii | $124,040 | $134,600 | 2,000 |
| Maine | $123,120 | $129,040 | 3,000 |
| Wisconsin | $122,660 | $122,620 | 22,000 |
| Alabama | $122,540 | $122,840 | 17,000 |
| Tennessee | $122,430 | $120,560 | 19,000 |
| Montana | $121,990 | $133,550 | 2,000 |
| West Virginia | $121,000 | $118,410 | 3,000 |
| Oklahoma | $118,100 | $118,510 | 7,000 |
| Wyoming | $115,170 | $123,360 | 2,000 |
| Iowa | $114,890 | $118,780 | 9,000 |
| Ohio | $114,090 | $119,860 | 45,000 |
| Kansas | $113,420 | $116,560 | 14,000 |
| Nebraska | $110,900 | $115,590 | 7,000 |
| Kentucky | $109,010 | $120,730 | 8,000 |
| Indiana | $105,920 | $113,980 | 14,000 |
| North Dakota | $105,600 | $107,000 | 1,000 |
| Arkansas | $104,490 | $109,590 | 6,000 |
| Louisiana | $102,800 | $108,270 | 4,000 |
| South Dakota | $96,310 | $104,790 | 2,000 |
| Mississippi | $95,330 | $99,840 | 2,000 |
| Puerto Rico | $79,380 | $80,980 | 2,000 |
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How Does This Compare to the UK?
Software Developers is the US equivalent of programmers and software development professionals in the UK, which has a national median of £55,587. Figures are shown in local currency, not converted — cost of living, tax systems and benefits packages differ enough between the two countries that a currency conversion alone would be misleading. See the full UK breakdown, or use our comparison tool to set this role against another job title side by side, with location and experience-level filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a software developers in the US?
The US national median wage for software developers is $135,980 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for software developers in the US?
Pay ranges from $82,460 at the 10th percentile to $214,670 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay software developers the most?
The highest-paying states for software developers include California ($174,410), Washington ($166,540), New York ($166,180). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does software developers salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — California ($174,410) pays roughly 120% more than Puerto Rico ($79,380). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
How does software developers pay compare between the US and UK?
The UK equivalent role (Programmers and software development professionals) has a national median of £55,587. Figures are shown in local currency rather than converted, since cost of living and tax systems differ enough between the two countries that a straight currency conversion would be misleading.
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-09-02