Average Salary in the US for Software Engineers: 2025 Guide

Are you aspiring to pursue software engineering and build a successful career as a computer engineer in the USA? Software engineering is a versatile career option attracting aspirants from across the globe. Skilled software professionals are in high demand globally, especially in the United States. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an 18% growth is predicted in the overall employment of software developers in the US by 2033, underscoring the need for proficient software professionals in the country. In this blog, we provide you with insights into the average salary in the US for Software Engineers in 2025. 

What is the Average Salary in the US for Software Engineers?

Software engineering is a rewarding field and software engineers in the US are among the highest-paid professionals globally. The average salary in the US for software engineers includes many parts:

• Base Salary
• Cash Compensation 
• Annual Bonus 
• Health Insurance
• Other Perks

Depending on the company and the profile of the software professional, there may be other benefits offered.    

According to Indeed, the average software engineer salary in the US is $123,491 (INR 1,05,33,831) per annum, which can go up to $195,679 (INR 1,66,90,905) based on the experience of an individual or the location of work.

Let us take a look at the average salary earned by software engineers in the United States of America based on city, experience level, and job profile. 

Average Salary in the US for Software Engineers Based on Experience

The average salary in the US for software engineers increases with experience. At the entry level, most engineering graduates earn an approximate salary of $90,000–$130,00. With an experience of 1 to 3 years, the salary increases to approximately $110,000–$130,000. 

Similarly, with experience of 5 to 7 years and beyond, these professionals can expect to earn $140,000+ salary annually.

Take a look at the figures in the table below:

Experience	Average Salary
1 year	$101,823 (INR 86,84,353) per annum
1-3 years	$111,167 (INR 94,81,288) per annum
3-5 years	$127,410 (INR 1,08,66,633) per annum
5-7 years	$139,024 (INR 1,18,57,176) per annum
7+ years	$143,145 (INR 1,22,07,334) per annum

Source: Builtin

Note:  The amount mentioned above may vary due to fluctuating exchange rates.

Average Salary in the US for Software Engineers Based on Job Role 

In terms of job roles, the salaries of software engineers in the US vary significantly. For instance, Front-End Developers earn around $109,000 (INR 92,98,405) on average per year, while Blockchain Developers make about $127,000 (INR 1,08,34,331) per annum, while Network Engineers can earn an average salary of $133,000 (INR 1,13,46,186) annually. 

Specialized roles like DevOps Engineers and Machine Learning Engineers can earn more than $130,000 per year.

Here's a list of some specialized roles and the average payment received by these professionals in the USA:

Job Role/Profiles	Average Salary
QA Analyst	$84,339 (INR 71,91,963) per annum
Junior Software Developer	$87,847 (INR 74,91,109) per annum
Junior Software Engineer	$89,518 (INR 76,33,468.41) per annum
Tableau Developer	$94,349 (INR 80,45,422) per annum
Web Developer	$96,212 (INR 82,03,371) per annum
Software Test Engineer	$101,068 (INR 86,17,411) per annum
Automation Engineer	$105,832 (INR 90,23,605) per annum
Front End Developer	$109,218 (INR 93,12,966) per annum
Network Engineer	$133,313 (INR 1,13,69,532) per annum
Blockchain Developer	$127,025 (INR 1,08,33,263) per annum

Source: Builtin

Note:  The amount mentioned above may vary due to fluctuating exchange rates.

Average Salary in the US for Software Engineers Based on Location

Location is another significant component that impacts the average salary of computer science engineers in the US. Cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York pay competitive salaries compared to the national average.

Here’s a list of some popular US cities offering high salaries to Software Engineers:

Cities	Average Base Salary
San Francisco	$159,524 (INR 1,36,08,115) per annum
San Jose	$152,022 (INR 1,29,68,161) per annum
New York	$149,097 (INR 1,27,16,602) per annum
Seattle	$142,622 (INR 1,21,64,348) per annum
Plano	$110,512 (INR 94,25,955) per annum
Dallas	$106,642 (INR 90,95,871) per annum
Redmond	$134,524 (INR 1,14,72,342) per annum
Austin	$106,642 (INR90,95,871) per annum
Boise	$106,555 (INR 90,87,116) per annum

Source: Indeed

Note: The amount mentioned above may vary due to fluctuating exchange rates.

Key Factors Influencing the Average Salary in the US for Software Engineers

The average salary for software engineers in the US is influenced by several key factors, reflecting the dynamic nature of the industry. Location, experience level, industry specialization, and the employer's size and reputation are some of the key factors. Understanding these variables is crucial for professionals aiming to optimize their earning potential in the field.

Take a look at some of the factors influencing the salary of software engineers in the USA:

• Level of Experience

The average salary of a software engineer in the US is influenced by the level of experience of the professional. A software engineer may earn a salary of $80,000 to $90,000 at the time of joining a company. With experience, their salary also increases and may go up to $140,000 or more. Along with a salary increase, professionals may move to leadership roles with time.

• Educational Background and Qualifications

Relevant educational qualifications, such as a degree in computer science engineering or a related field, can allow better job opportunities and higher pay for professionals. With advanced degrees, such as a PhD, candidates can acquire leading roles in research and development with premium salaries.

• Specific Programming Languages or Skills in Demand

Engineers with expertise in languages like Python and Java, and other high-demand areas like AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, can expect higher salaries.

• Technology, Finance, and Healthcare sectors

Salaries of software engineers are normally high in the finance and technology sectors due to the complexity and challenges of their job roles.

• Geographic Location and Living Cost 

Cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York pay more as the living costs are high compared to cities like Austin and Denver, which have relatively lower living costs.

• Impact of Certifications on Salaries

Industry-relevant certifications like AWS Certified Developer, Google Cloud Engineer, or PMP can also boost the salary of software professionals.

Average Salary in the US for Software Engineers Offered by Top Companies

Most of the top technology companies in the US pay competitive salaries to software engineers. For example, Google and Meta offer average total compensation packages within the range of $150,000–$200,000, while companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple also pay rewarding salaries to software engineers.

Take a look at the average salary in the US for Software Engineers paid by top companies:

Top Companies	Average Salary
Netflix	$203,997 (INR 1,74,03,585) per annum
Airbnb	$178,921 (INR 1,52,64,278) per annum
Meta	$174,320 (INR 1,48,71,639) per annum
Google	$155,095 (INR 1,32,31,510) per annum
LinkedIn	$157,300 (INR 1,34,19,497) per annum
Uber	$155,216 (INR 1,32,41,709) per annum
Apple	$151,030 (INR 1,28,85,124) per annum
Amazon	$141,226 (INR 1,20,48,696) per annum
Microsoft	$136,050  (INR 1,16,07,104) per annum
Salesforce	$162,681 (INR 1,38,78,129) per annum
Adobe	$154,860 (INR 1,32,10,920) per annum
IBM	$130,910 (INR 1,11,67,803) per annum
NVIDIA	$165,881 (INR 1,41,51,145) per annum
Oracle	$122,362 (INR 1,04,38,585) per annum
Stripe	$172,026 (INR 1,46,75,795) per annum

Source: Indeed 

Note: The amount mentioned above may vary due to fluctuating exchange rates.

Career Growth Potential and Opportunities for Software Engineers in the USA

Software engineering is an ever-growing and innovative market that offers robust growth opportunities for professionals in the USA. The industry is constantly driven by pioneering technology and huge demands. Cities like Seattle, Austin, and California are among the key tech hubs, offering a plethora of rich and high-paying jobs to engineers.      

Looking ahead, software engineering offers wide avenues of promising growth. This is evident in the forecasts of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which state that the overall employment of software developers, testers, and quality assurance analysts is likely to increase by 17 % from 2023 to 2033, a rate that is much faster than the average for all other occupations. Besides, the dependency of almost every industry on software solutions and different types of engineering is also boosting the scope of this profession for aspirants. 

Furthermore, AI, automation, and robotics are taking over and creating new opportunities in specialized fields for software engineers. With all this and more, the future of software engineering in the US can be summed up as limitless.

Conclusion

Software Engineering is a rewarding field with lots of opportunities and prospects to grow and earn competitive compensation. Students aspiring to study software engineering in the US and work there can seek guidance from upGrad. upGrad is a leading digital learning platform offering a range of study abroad consultant services, including personalized guidance on university selection to visa assistance and pre-departure support. We also support students with scholarships to study across their preferred country such as the USA, the UK, Australia, and Europe.