Software Developers pay in the United States
What this work is
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
Where the money actually goes furthest
California pays the most both before and after cost of living — $174,410, worth $157,523 once local prices are counted.
Pay by state
51 states and territories publish a median for this occupation. Switch the ranking to see how much the order changes.
Adjusted for what things cost in that state.
| State | Hourly | Annual | Worth locally | After state tax | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $83.85/hr | $174,410 | $157,523 | $162,162 | 284,390 |
| Massachusetts | $79.43/hr | $165,210 | $156,212 | $156,949 | 48,190 |
| Washington | $80.07/hr | $166,540 | $155,630 | $166,540 | 107,030 |
| New York | $79.89/hr | $166,180 | $153,984 | $157,257 | 113,510 |
| North Carolina | $64.76/hr | $134,710 | $142,807 | $129,526 | 58,470 |
| Missouri | $60.64/hr | $126,120 | $138,868 | $121,049 | 20,020 |
| Oregon | $68.62/hr | $142,720 | $138,080 | $130,600 | 21,830 |
| South Carolina | $62.24/hr | $129,450 | $138,080 | $123,006 | 13,230 |
| Alabama | $58.91/hr | $122,540 | $137,964 | $116,603 | 17,450 |
| Idaho | $63.26/hr | $131,590 | $137,805 | $125,389 | 5,750 |
| Texas | $63.54/hr | $132,150 | $136,152 | $132,150 | 163,880 |
| Georgia | $62.99/hr | $131,010 | $136,057 | $124,833 | 49,700 |
| West Virginia | $58.18/hr | $121,000 | $135,195 | $116,006 | 2,650 |
| New Mexico | $59.86/hr | $124,520 | $135,039 | $119,096 | 3,960 |
| Virginia | $65.61/hr | $136,460 | $134,975 | $129,359 | 88,280 |
| Oklahoma | $56.78/hr | $118,100 | $134,449 | $112,980 | 6,880 |
| Colorado | $66.53/hr | $138,390 | $134,294 | $133,128 | 43,320 |
| New Hampshire | $67.17/hr | $139,720 | $134,126 | $139,720 | 10,840 |
| Delaware | $63.95/hr | $133,020 | $133,273 | $125,471 | 3,380 |
| Tennessee | $58.86/hr | $122,430 | $133,264 | $122,430 | 19,030 |
| Illinois | $63.52/hr | $132,110 | $132,162 | $125,707 | 56,310 |
| Maryland | $66.67/hr | $138,680 | $132,126 | $132,156 | 31,350 |
| Minnesota | $62.52/hr | $130,050 | $131,869 | $122,580 | 35,890 |
| Iowa | $55.24/hr | $114,890 | $130,913 | $111,078 | 9,040 |
| Michigan | $60.37/hr | $125,570 | $130,503 | $120,471 | 43,460 |
| Wisconsin | $58.97/hr | $122,660 | $130,350 | $117,256 | 21,730 |
| Utah | $61.93/hr | $128,810 | $130,295 | $122,949 | 31,940 |
| Pennsylvania | $60.84/hr | $126,550 | $129,701 | $122,664 | 55,920 |
| Connecticut | $64.48/hr | $134,120 | $129,446 | $127,322 | 13,660 |
| Montana | $58.65/hr | $121,990 | $128,885 | $115,907 | 2,160 |
| Nevada | $61.93/hr | $128,810 | $128,835 | $128,810 | 4,520 |
| Arizona | $62.35/hr | $129,690 | $128,814 | $126,812 | 38,050 |
| Vermont | $60.23/hr | $125,280 | $127,888 | $118,866 | 1,740 |
| Rhode Island | $62.78/hr | $130,590 | $127,678 | $125,687 | 5,070 |
| Maine | $59.19/hr | $123,120 | $126,862 | $115,869 | 2,790 |
| Florida | $62.97/hr | $130,980 | $126,660 | $130,980 | 87,890 |
| Kansas | $54.53/hr | $113,420 | $125,924 | $107,379 | 13,580 |
| New Jersey | $65.36/hr | $135,940 | $124,933 | $129,406 | 51,570 |
| District of Columbia | $65.81/hr | $136,880 | $124,549 | $128,086 | 6,120 |
| Wyoming | $55.37/hr | $115,170 | $124,252 | $115,170 | 1,510 |
| Nebraska | $53.32/hr | $110,900 | $123,085 | $106,042 | 7,260 |
| Ohio | $54.85/hr | $114,090 | $122,981 | $111,668 | 44,790 |
| Kentucky | $52.41/hr | $109,010 | $120,907 | $104,776 | 7,660 |
| Arkansas | $50.23/hr | $104,490 | $120,186 | $100,591 | 6,050 |
| North Dakota | $50.77/hr | $105,600 | $118,705 | $104,770 | 1,450 |
| Louisiana | $49.42/hr | $102,800 | $116,540 | $100,091 | 4,080 |
| Indiana | $50.92/hr | $105,920 | $113,489 | $102,772 | 14,130 |
| Hawaii | $59.64/hr | $124,040 | $112,814 | $116,056 | 1,600 |
| Mississippi | $45.83/hr | $95,330 | $109,637 | $91,236 | 1,880 |
| South Dakota | $46.30/hr | $96,310 | $108,714 | $96,310 | 2,380 |
| Puerto Rico | $38.17/hr | $79,380 | Not published | Not published | 2,020 |
National median for comparison: $135,980. “Worth locally” divides pay by the area’s price level, so a figure above the headline means money goes further there than the US average.
$65.38/hr an hour, national median
Across the states
25th to 75th percentile, lowest and highest state
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