Staff Engineer Salary — 2026 Data
Drive technical strategy across teams, set engineering standards, and lead high-impact initiatives. Compare compensation across 50 locations, from entry-level to senior positions.
| Location | Entry-Level | Mid-Level | Senior | COL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $243K – $311K | $290K – $392K | $365K – $513K | 180 |
| New York | $230K – $294K | $275K – $371K | $346K – $486K | 170 |
| San Jose | $241K – $308K | $288K – $389K | $362K – $509K | 178 |
| Seattle | $220K – $281K | $262K – $354K | $329K – $464K | 155 |
| Los Angeles | $207K – $265K | $247K – $334K | $311K – $437K | 150 |
| Boston | $212K – $271K | $254K – $342K | $319K – $448K | 145 |
| Washington D.C. | $216K – $276K | $258K – $348K | $324K – $456K | 150 |
| San Diego | $202K – $258K | $241K – $325K | $302K – $426K | 140 |
| Chicago | $189K – $242K | $226K – $305K | $284K – $399K | 115 |
| Austin | $194K – $248K | $232K – $313K | $292K – $410K | 110 |
| Denver | $189K – $242K | $226K – $305K | $284K – $399K | 120 |
| Atlanta | $180K – $230K | $215K – $290K | $270K – $380K | 105 |
| Dallas | $180K – $230K | $215K – $290K | $270K – $380K | 105 |
| Houston | $178K – $228K | $213K – $287K | $267K – $376K | 102 |
| Miami | $189K – $242K | $226K – $305K | $284K – $399K | 125 |
| Phoenix | $171K – $219K | $204K – $276K | $257K – $361K | 100 |
| Philadelphia | $184K – $235K | $219K – $296K | $275K – $388K | 110 |
| Minneapolis | $184K – $235K | $219K – $296K | $275K – $388K | 108 |
| Portland | $194K – $248K | $232K – $313K | $292K – $410K | 130 |
| San Antonio | $166K – $212K | $198K – $267K | $248K – $350K | 95 |
| Detroit | $169K – $216K | $202K – $273K | $254K – $357K | 95 |
| Raleigh | $176K – $225K | $211K – $284K | $265K – $372K | 102 |
| Charlotte | $176K – $225K | $211K – $284K | $265K – $372K | 102 |
| Nashville | $178K – $228K | $213K – $287K | $267K – $376K | 105 |
| Orlando | $171K – $219K | $204K – $276K | $257K – $361K | 102 |
| Tampa | $173K – $221K | $206K – $278K | $259K – $365K | 100 |
| Jacksonville | $166K – $212K | $198K – $267K | $248K – $350K | 98 |
| Salt Lake City | $176K – $225K | $211K – $284K | $265K – $372K | 108 |
| Pittsburgh | $166K – $212K | $198K – $267K | $248K – $350K | 95 |
| Indianapolis | $166K – $212K | $198K – $267K | $248K – $350K | 95 |
| Columbus | $167K – $214K | $200K – $270K | $251K – $353K | 95 |
| Cleveland | $162K – $207K | $194K – $261K | $243K – $342K | 92 |
| Cincinnati | $164K – $209K | $196K – $264K | $246K – $346K | 94 |
| Kansas City | $169K – $216K | $202K – $273K | $254K – $357K | 95 |
| St. Louis | $166K – $212K | $198K – $267K | $248K – $350K | 92 |
| Milwaukee | $167K – $214K | $200K – $270K | $251K – $353K | 94 |
| Baltimore | $180K – $230K | $215K – $290K | $270K – $380K | 108 |
| Richmond | $171K – $219K | $204K – $276K | $257K – $361K | 100 |
| Virginia Beach | $169K – $216K | $202K – $273K | $254K – $357K | 98 |
| Sacramento | $189K – $242K | $226K – $305K | $284K – $399K | 125 |
| Las Vegas | $176K – $225K | $211K – $284K | $265K – $372K | 108 |
| Oklahoma City | $158K – $202K | $189K – $255K | $238K – $334K | 88 |
| Memphis | $158K – $202K | $189K – $255K | $238K – $334K | 88 |
| Louisville | $162K – $207K | $194K – $261K | $243K – $342K | 90 |
| New Orleans | $166K – $212K | $198K – $267K | $248K – $350K | 95 |
| Albuquerque | $162K – $207K | $194K – $261K | $243K – $342K | 95 |
| Tucson | $162K – $207K | $194K – $261K | $243K – $342K | 95 |
| Buffalo | $162K – $207K | $194K – $261K | $243K – $342K | 90 |
| Honolulu | $189K – $242K | $226K – $305K | $284K – $399K | 175 |
| Remote (US) | $171K – $219K | $204K – $276K | $257K – $361K | 100 |
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