Senior Software Engineer Salary — 2026 Data
Lead complex software projects, mentor engineers, and own architectural decisions. Compare compensation across 50 locations, from entry-level to senior positions.
| Location | Entry-Level | Mid-Level | Senior | COL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $176K – $236K | $216K – $297K | $270K – $385K | 180 |
| New York | $166K – $224K | $205K – $282K | $256K – $365K | 170 |
| San Jose | $174K – $235K | $214K – $295K | $268K – $382K | 178 |
| Seattle | $159K – $214K | $195K – $268K | $244K – $348K | 155 |
| Los Angeles | $150K – $201K | $184K – $253K | $230K – $328K | 150 |
| Boston | $153K – $207K | $189K – $260K | $236K – $336K | 145 |
| Washington D.C. | $156K – $210K | $192K – $264K | $240K – $342K | 150 |
| San Diego | $146K – $196K | $179K – $246K | $224K – $319K | 140 |
| Chicago | $137K – $184K | $168K – $231K | $210K – $299K | 115 |
| Austin | $140K – $189K | $173K – $238K | $216K – $308K | 110 |
| Denver | $137K – $184K | $168K – $231K | $210K – $299K | 120 |
| Atlanta | $130K – $175K | $160K – $220K | $200K – $285K | 105 |
| Dallas | $130K – $175K | $160K – $220K | $200K – $285K | 105 |
| Houston | $129K – $173K | $158K – $218K | $198K – $282K | 102 |
| Miami | $137K – $184K | $168K – $231K | $210K – $299K | 125 |
| Phoenix | $124K – $166K | $152K – $209K | $190K – $271K | 100 |
| Philadelphia | $133K – $179K | $163K – $224K | $204K – $291K | 110 |
| Minneapolis | $133K – $179K | $163K – $224K | $204K – $291K | 108 |
| Portland | $140K – $189K | $173K – $238K | $216K – $308K | 130 |
| San Antonio | $120K – $161K | $147K – $202K | $184K – $262K | 95 |
| Detroit | $122K – $165K | $150K – $207K | $188K – $268K | 95 |
| Raleigh | $127K – $172K | $157K – $216K | $196K – $279K | 102 |
| Charlotte | $127K – $172K | $157K – $216K | $196K – $279K | 102 |
| Nashville | $129K – $173K | $158K – $218K | $198K – $282K | 105 |
| Orlando | $124K – $166K | $152K – $209K | $190K – $271K | 102 |
| Tampa | $125K – $168K | $154K – $211K | $192K – $274K | 100 |
| Jacksonville | $120K – $161K | $147K – $202K | $184K – $262K | 98 |
| Salt Lake City | $127K – $172K | $157K – $216K | $196K – $279K | 108 |
| Pittsburgh | $120K – $161K | $147K – $202K | $184K – $262K | 95 |
| Indianapolis | $120K – $161K | $147K – $202K | $184K – $262K | 95 |
| Columbus | $121K – $163K | $149K – $205K | $186K – $265K | 95 |
| Cleveland | $117K – $158K | $144K – $198K | $180K – $257K | 92 |
| Cincinnati | $118K – $159K | $146K – $200K | $182K – $259K | 94 |
| Kansas City | $122K – $165K | $150K – $207K | $188K – $268K | 95 |
| St. Louis | $120K – $161K | $147K – $202K | $184K – $262K | 92 |
| Milwaukee | $121K – $163K | $149K – $205K | $186K – $265K | 94 |
| Baltimore | $130K – $175K | $160K – $220K | $200K – $285K | 108 |
| Richmond | $124K – $166K | $152K – $209K | $190K – $271K | 100 |
| Virginia Beach | $122K – $165K | $150K – $207K | $188K – $268K | 98 |
| Sacramento | $137K – $184K | $168K – $231K | $210K – $299K | 125 |
| Las Vegas | $127K – $172K | $157K – $216K | $196K – $279K | 108 |
| Oklahoma City | $114K – $154K | $141K – $194K | $176K – $251K | 88 |
| Memphis | $114K – $154K | $141K – $194K | $176K – $251K | 88 |
| Louisville | $117K – $158K | $144K – $198K | $180K – $257K | 90 |
| New Orleans | $120K – $161K | $147K – $202K | $184K – $262K | 95 |
| Albuquerque | $117K – $158K | $144K – $198K | $180K – $257K | 95 |
| Tucson | $117K – $158K | $144K – $198K | $180K – $257K | 95 |
| Buffalo | $117K – $158K | $144K – $198K | $180K – $257K | 90 |
| Honolulu | $137K – $184K | $168K – $231K | $210K – $299K | 175 |
| Remote (US) | $124K – $166K | $152K – $209K | $190K – $271K | 100 |
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