Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Software developers (SOC 15-1252) employed 1,687,890 people in May 2025. The median pay is $135,980 a year ($65.38 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $82,460 and the highest-paid 10% more than $214,670. BLS projects its employment to change by +10.2% between 2025 and 2035 (about 95,300 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: California ($174,410), Washington ($166,540), New York ($166,180). Most jobs: California (284,390), Texas (163,880), New York (113,510).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,460 | $39.64 |
| 25th percentile | $105,210 | $50.58 |
| Median | $135,980 | $65.38 |
| Mean | $148,100 | $71.20 |
| 75th percentile | $171,980 | $82.68 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $214,670 | $103.21 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 1,717,800 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 1,892,600 |
| Change in jobs | 174,700 |
| Percent change | +10.2% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 95,300 |
| Self-employed share | 1.5% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 17,450 | 0.76 | $122,540 | $71,590 | $175,330 | -10% | 11% |
| Alaska | 530 | 0.15 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Arizona | 38,050 | 1.08 | $129,690 | $81,740 | $178,500 | -5% | 15% |
| Arkansas | 6,050 | 0.43 | $104,490 | $60,570 | $162,380 | -23% | 11% |
| California | 284,390 | 1.44 | $174,410 | $105,060 | $272,670 | +28% | 14% |
| Colorado | 43,320 | 1.39 | $138,390 | $96,480 | $213,010 | +2% | 16% |
| Connecticut | 13,660 | 0.74 | $134,120 | $85,930 | $205,160 | -1% | 14% |
| Delaware | 3,380 | 0.64 | $133,020 | $96,620 | $174,390 | -2% | 14% |
| District of Columbia | 6,120 | 0.80 | $136,880 | $85,140 | $197,000 | +1% | 17% |
| Florida | 87,890 | 0.82 | $130,980 | $80,050 | $204,400 | -4% | 17% |
| Georgia | 49,700 | 0.94 | $131,010 | $80,110 | $176,000 | -4% | 14% |
| Hawaii | 1,600 | 0.23 | $124,040 | $64,690 | $238,930 | -9% | 19% |
| Idaho | 5,750 | 0.62 | $131,590 | $71,030 | $178,980 | -3% | 13% |
| Illinois | 56,310 | 0.85 | $132,110 | $80,980 | $194,740 | -3% | 12% |
| Indiana | 14,130 | 0.41 | $105,920 | $74,850 | $164,650 | -22% | 13% |
| Iowa | 9,040 | 0.53 | $114,890 | $74,390 | $165,880 | -16% | 10% |
| Kansas | 13,580 | 0.87 | $113,420 | $71,690 | $165,740 | -17% | 11% |
| Kentucky | 7,660 | 0.35 | $109,010 | $76,310 | $168,110 | -20% | 11% |
| Louisiana | 4,080 | 0.19 | $102,800 | $66,350 | $151,780 | -24% | 12% |
| Maine | 2,790 | 0.40 | $123,120 | $82,930 | $179,990 | -9% | 12% |
| Maryland | 31,350 | 1.05 | $138,680 | $87,690 | $222,610 | +2% | 15% |
| Massachusetts | 48,190 | 1.22 | $165,210 | $102,810 | $213,970 | +21% | 13% |
| Michigan | 43,460 | 0.91 | $125,570 | $78,930 | $166,510 | -8% | 11% |
| Minnesota | 35,890 | 1.12 | $130,050 | $79,900 | $169,810 | -4% | 12% |
| Mississippi | 1,880 | 0.15 | $95,330 | $44,700 | $158,300 | -30% | 12% |
| Missouri | 20,020 | 0.63 | $126,120 | $72,570 | $169,340 | -7% | 10% |
| Montana | 2,160 | 0.39 | $121,990 | $73,370 | $221,400 | -10% | 12% |
| Nebraska | 7,260 | 0.65 | $110,900 | $77,520 | $158,720 | -18% | 12% |
| Nevada | 4,520 | 0.27 | $128,810 | $73,990 | $194,470 | -5% | 16% |
| New Hampshire | 10,840 | 1.46 | $139,720 | $92,510 | $205,370 | +3% | 13% |
| New Jersey | 51,570 | 1.11 | $135,940 | $84,880 | $207,200 | -0% | 16% |
| New Mexico | 3,960 | 0.42 | $124,520 | $77,110 | $184,710 | -8% | 11% |
| New York | 113,510 | 1.08 | $166,180 | $97,430 | $224,590 | +22% | 12% |
| North Carolina | 58,470 | 1.09 | $134,710 | $83,840 | $179,310 | -1% | 12% |
| North Dakota | 1,450 | 0.31 | $105,600 | $62,900 | $158,060 | -22% | 11% |
| Ohio | 44,790 | 0.74 | $114,090 | $77,790 | $168,400 | -16% | 11% |
| Oklahoma | 6,880 | 0.37 | $118,100 | $75,190 | $169,700 | -13% | 11% |
| Oregon | 21,830 | 1.02 | $142,720 | $83,070 | $213,540 | +5% | 13% |
| Pennsylvania | 55,920 | 0.85 | $126,550 | $77,750 | $178,080 | -7% | 12% |
| Rhode Island | 5,070 | 0.93 | $130,590 | $83,540 | $168,630 | -4% | 13% |
| South Carolina | 13,230 | 0.53 | $129,450 | $76,010 | $212,460 | -5% | 12% |
| South Dakota | 2,380 | 0.48 | $96,310 | $65,530 | $160,380 | -29% | 12% |
| Tennessee | 19,030 | 0.53 | $122,430 | $75,280 | $166,380 | -10% | 13% |
| Texas | 163,880 | 1.07 | $132,150 | $82,600 | $183,680 | -3% | 13% |
| Utah | 31,940 | 1.70 | $128,810 | $77,810 | $177,970 | -5% | 15% |
| Vermont | 1,740 | 0.53 | $125,280 | $82,480 | $209,420 | -8% | 13% |
| Virginia | 88,280 | 1.98 | $136,460 | $83,350 | $211,930 | +0% | 14% |
| Washington | 107,030 | 2.78 | $166,540 | $96,810 | $255,350 | +22% | 13% |
| West Virginia | 2,650 | 0.35 | $121,000 | $60,480 | $168,620 | -11% | 9% |
| Wisconsin | 21,730 | 0.68 | $122,660 | $77,710 | $168,630 | -10% | 11% |
| Wyoming | 1,510 | 0.49 | $115,170 | $72,950 | $156,620 | -15% | 10% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 87,350 | $213,110 | $138,420 | $289,150 | 7.09 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 69,030 | $186,640 | $128,090 | $273,400 | 2.68 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 92,770 | $167,280 | $99,190 | $257,960 | 4.10 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 121,000 | $166,830 | $101,690 | $224,590 | 1.17 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 42,310 | $166,090 | $102,950 | $214,100 | 1.44 |
| Boulder, CO | 7,130 | $164,560 | $102,880 | $235,660 | 3.41 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 20,610 | $163,270 | $95,420 | $223,260 | 1.23 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 3,090 | $162,650 | $102,200 | $223,320 | 0.70 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 4,370 | $162,090 | $95,950 | $206,180 | 2.02 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 55,540 | $160,920 | $98,270 | $223,150 | 0.82 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 2,170 | $159,430 | $94,560 | $223,490 | 0.62 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 1,680 | $158,290 | $99,670 | $215,750 | 0.77 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 540 | $156,910 | $92,520 | $209,260 | 0.51 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 18,260 | $156,000 | $94,040 | $213,540 | 1.39 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 69,060 | $154,930 | $96,450 | $213,660 | 2.03 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 560 | $148,630 | $94,080 | $214,360 | 0.25 |
| Worcester, MA | 1,800 | $146,950 | $95,400 | $202,790 | 0.47 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 690 | $146,200 | $79,650 | $205,980 | 0.68 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 1,010 | $145,830 | $85,090 | $216,710 | 0.35 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 7,460 | $139,640 | $100,040 | $209,140 | 0.64 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 16,850 | $138,900 | $87,290 | $223,550 | 1.14 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 570 | $138,550 | $91,500 | $209,460 | 0.18 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 27,010 | $137,610 | $99,700 | $209,300 | 1.55 |
| Vallejo, CA | 330 | $136,930 | $83,800 | $209,530 | 0.21 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 20,820 | $135,920 | $93,690 | $172,360 | 1.41 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 9,790 | $135,620 | $100,670 | $209,410 | 2.62 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 520 | $135,020 | $74,770 | $204,240 | 0.40 |
| Rochester, MN | 1,840 | $134,450 | $104,300 | $170,860 | 1.38 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 40,370 | $134,380 | $83,820 | $203,410 | 0.82 |
| Asheville, NC | 780 | $134,350 | $83,370 | $215,750 | 0.40 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 4,850 | $134,280 | $86,540 | $207,490 | 1.41 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 31,960 | $134,120 | $96,110 | $209,890 | 2.28 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 1,820 | $133,990 | $79,990 | $221,110 | 0.99 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 67,030 | $133,290 | $85,920 | $179,400 | 1.52 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 350 | $133,290 | $80,060 | $168,350 | 0.47 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4,150 | $133,270 | $85,090 | $205,760 | 0.22 |
| New Haven, CT | 1,190 | $133,040 | $78,980 | $177,470 | 0.39 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 28,480 | $133,040 | $82,960 | $190,180 | 0.91 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 36,300 | $132,960 | $83,400 | $178,330 | 1.16 |
| Lexington Park, MD | 720 | $132,850 | $85,020 | $210,110 | 0.94 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 12,580 | $132,770 | $80,080 | $185,110 | 1.56 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 18,900 | $132,650 | $80,440 | $199,280 | 0.62 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 6,010 | $132,520 | $86,800 | $176,390 | 0.92 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 2,050 | $132,150 | $80,170 | $213,340 | 0.48 |
| Richmond, VA | 7,680 | $132,120 | $84,290 | $208,990 | 1.07 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 1,680 | $131,890 | $80,320 | $210,160 | 0.46 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 5,030 | $131,760 | $81,760 | $200,340 | 1.89 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 29,380 | $131,750 | $82,500 | $180,460 | 1.14 |
| Salem, OR | 970 | $131,620 | $82,630 | $170,460 | 0.47 |
| Boise City, ID | 3,240 | $131,590 | $75,680 | $172,170 | 0.76 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | 730 | $131,290 | $79,540 | $193,460 | 0.42 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | 7,870 | $131,210 | $77,080 | $195,260 | 2.38 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 27,410 | $130,920 | $83,020 | $170,060 | 1.29 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 24,870 | $130,760 | $82,720 | $167,490 | 1.20 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 720 | $130,730 | $81,740 | $198,670 | 0.38 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 5,020 | $130,690 | $84,130 | $172,090 | 0.65 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 1,840 | $130,690 | $80,670 | $201,620 | 0.66 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 1,380 | $130,640 | $79,680 | $175,840 | 1.01 |
| Madison, WI | 6,720 | $130,630 | $82,790 | $171,290 | 1.52 |
| Peoria, IL | 1,650 | $130,590 | $89,350 | $166,680 | 0.92 |
The median is $135,980 a year ($65.38 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $82,460 and the highest-paid tenth over $214,670 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
1,687,890 in May 2025, and BLS projects +10.2% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
California, with a median of $174,410 (among states with published figures).