Software Developers Salary (2025)
Based on 1,687,890 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $82,460 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $105,210 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $135,980 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $171,980 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $214,670 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$82K
25th
$105K
Median
$136K
75th
$172K
90th
$215K
Highest Paying States for Software Developers
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| California | $186,770 |
| Washington | $171,040 |
| New York | $163,820 |
| Massachusetts | $161,730 |
| Maryland | $151,560 |
| Colorado | $150,940 |
| Oregon | $149,060 |
| Virginia | $146,340 |
| New Hampshire | $144,530 |
| District of Columbia | $144,430 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Software Developers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is California at an average of $186,770 per year, while District of Columbia has an average of $144,430 — a difference of $42,340. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Software Developers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,687,890 workers were employed as Software Developerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Computer and Mathematical Occupations. The annual mean wage of $148,100 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 15-1252