Software developers in the US earn a median of $135,980 a year in base pay. The middle half earn between $105,210 and $171,980, and the top 10% earn more than $214,670 (BLS OEWS May 2025). To negotiate, aim for the part of that range that matches your experience — with 3–5 years, for example, $136,000 to $172,000 — and open slightly above it.
How much do software developers make?
| Percentile | Annual base pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | $82,460 |
| 25th | $105,210 |
| Median | $135,980 |
| 75th | $171,980 |
| 90th | $214,670 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 — Software Developers, national, about 1,687,890 jobs. BLS figures are base pay including commissions and production bonuses; they exclude year-end bonuses, stock, overtime and benefits.
Where software developers earn the most
| State | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| California | $174,410 | $216,670 |
| Washington | $166,540 | $211,860 |
| New York | $166,180 | $205,540 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 | $190,280 |
| Oregon | $142,720 | $170,600 |
Pay also differs within a state — big metro areas often pay more. Use your state's numbers when you set your target.
What should you ask for as a software developer?
| Experience | Suggested target range | Open with about |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | $105,000–$136,000 | $143,000 |
| 3–5 years | $136,000–$172,000 | $181,000 |
| 6–10 years | $150,000–$186,000 | $195,000 |
| 10+ years | $172,000–$215,000 | $226,000 |
The ranges follow national percentiles by experience (25th–50th, 50th–75th, 60th–80th, 75th–90th); the opening number is the top of the range plus about 5%, rounded. Guidance, not a guarantee — check your state and experience, and see how to negotiate salary.
What drives software developer pay?
Software developers design, build and maintain software. Pay varies a lot by employer type, level and location — and total compensation at larger companies often includes equity and bonuses that BLS base-pay data doesn't count.
- Level and title — the biggest driver of the offer.
- Equity (RSUs or options) and bonus on top of base.
- Employer type: big tech, startups, non-tech companies, government.
- Specialties such as infrastructure, security, machine learning.
Your leverage as a software developer
- A competing offer — only if you have one.
- Systems you built or scaled, with numbers.
- Specialties the team is hiring for.
- Interview performance that supports a higher level.
- On-call or leadership experience.
Only use leverage you really have. Never invent a competing offer.
Software developer objections and how to answer
| They say | You can say |
|---|---|
| “That's the top of the band for this level.” | “Based on the interviews, could we discuss leveling this as senior?” |
| “We can do more equity, but not base.” | “What's the vesting schedule and current value? I'd like to see the total.” |
| “Our sign-on is standard.” | “I'm leaving an unvested bonus at [company]; could the sign-on cover it?” |
| “BLS data doesn't apply to us.” | “Fair — it's base pay only. I'm also looking at offers for similar levels in our area.” |
Sample counter offer for a software developer
Thank you — I'm excited about the team. Based on the level we discussed and my work on [system], I'm asking for a base of [number], with [equity amount] and a sign-on of [amount]. For reference, the national median base for software developers is $135,980 and the 90th percentile is $214,670.
Then stop talking and let them respond.
Asking for a raise as a software developer
In tech, the biggest raises usually come from promotion or switching companies. Ask for the promotion criteria and a timeline, and bring the impact of what you shipped.