Software Engineer Salary in 2026
Source: BLS OES May 2024 · Updated April 2026
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES May 2024), the median annual salary for a Software Engineer is $133,080 per year. The BLS projects 15.8% employment growth for this occupation over the 2024–2034 decade.
How Much Do Software Engineers Make?
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $133,080 |
| 10-Year Job Growth | 15.8% |
| Total Employment | 1,654,440 |
| Typical Education | Bachelor's degree |
| SOC Code | 15-1252 |
What Do Top Companies Pay Software Engineers?
Base salaries from employer disclosure filings — excludes equity and bonuses.
| Company | Median H1B Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix Inc | $226,158 | 49 |
| Coinbase Global | $212,500 | 13 |
| Salesforce Inc | $201,620 | 315 |
| SpaceX | $199,534 | 1 |
| Twilio Inc | $193,965 | 46 |
| Meta Platforms Inc | $190,976 | 1,056 |
| Snowflake Inc | $190,486 | 57 |
| The Boeing Company | $190,000 | 1 |
Which Skills Increase Software Engineer Pay?
Software Engineers with these high-demand tools and technologies typically command higher salaries.
Amazon Web Services AWS softwareApache KafkaAtlassian JIRACC#C++Cascading style sheets CSSDockerGitGitHub
Full skills breakdown →
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the average salary for a Software Engineer?
- The median annual salary for a Software Engineer is $133,080 per year, based on the most recent national wage survey data.
- Is Software Engineer a growing career?
- Employment for Software Engineer roles is projected to grow 15.8% over the 2024–2034 decade. Total employment is currently 1,654,440 workers nationally.
- What skills increase Software Engineer pay?
- Software Engineers who demonstrate skills like Amazon Web Services AWS software, Apache Kafka, Atlassian JIRA, C typically command higher salaries. Certifications and advanced tools expertise can further boost compensation.
Salary and employment figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES May 2024) and Employment Projections 2024–2034. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.