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Software Engineer Salary US

Average salary, take-home pay, and how much you can earn at different experience levels.

Average Salary Range$80k - $200kMidpoint: $140k
Monthly Take-Home$4,623 - $10,515After tax (6% 401k)
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Salary by Experience Level

Software Engineer salaries increase significantly with experience. Here's what you can expect at each career stage:

Experience LevelSalary RangeMonthly Net
Junior (1-2 years)$60k - $170k$3,583 - $8,968
Mid-Level (3-5 years)$72k - $200k$4,230 - $10,515
Senior (5-8 years)$84k - $240k$4,819 - $12,503
Lead / Principal (8+ years)$96k - $280k$5,407 - $14,328
Staff / Principal$108k - $320k$5,996 - $16,065

Salary by Location

Location significantly impacts Software Engineer salaries. San Francisco and NYC offer the highest pay, while other regions vary:

San Francisco$161k - $217k+35% vs national avg
New York City$155k - $209k+30% vs national avg
Seattle$149k - $201k+25% vs national avg
Los Angeles$137k - $185k+15% vs national avg
Boston$143k - $193k+20% vs national avg
Washington DC$137k - $185k+15% vs national avg
Austin$131k - $177k+10% vs national avg
Denver$129k - $174k+8% vs national avg
Chicago$125k - $169k+5% vs national avg
Atlanta$119k - $161k
Dallas$119k - $161k
Phoenix$113k - $153k-5% vs national avg
Miami$119k - $161k
San Diego$133k - $180k+12% vs national avg
Remote (US)$125k - $169k+5% vs national avg

Related Role Salaries

Data Analyst$55k - $120kProduct Manager$90k - $200kUX Designer$70k - $160kProduct Designer$80k - $180kDevOps Engineer$90k - $180kData Scientist$95k - $200k

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary in the US?

The average Software Engineer salary in the US ranges from $80k - $200k, with a midpoint of $140k. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and company size.

How much do Software Engineers earn in San Francisco?

Software Engineers in San Francisco typically earn 30-35% more than the national average due to higher cost of living. Expected range: $161k - $217k.

What factors affect Software Engineer salary?

Key factors include years of experience, location (SF and NYC pay highest), company size, industry sector, specific technical skills, and whether the role includes management responsibilities.

Salary data is based on industry research and job posting analysis. Actual salaries may vary. Use our salary calculator for precise take-home pay estimates.