What is the average Senior Software Engineer salary for Washington, DC?
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As of March 01, 2026, the average Senior Software Engineer salary in Washington, DC is $158,317. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Senior Software Engineer job titles in Washington, DC. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Senior Software Engineer job titles in Washington, DC. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Senior Software Engineer Salaries in Washington, DC
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Software Engineer III | $150,318 | $72.27 | Washington, DC | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer I | $95,868 | $46.09 | Washington, DC | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer IV | $176,213 | $84.72 | Washington, DC | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer II | $120,178 | $57.78 | Washington, DC | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer V | $208,683 | $100.33 | Washington, DC | March 01, 2026 |
| Embedded Software Engineer IV | $174,662 | $83.97 | Washington, DC | March 01, 2026 |
| Embedded Software Engineer II | $122,506 | $58.90 | Washington, DC | March 01, 2026 |
| Embedded Software Engineer III | $142,440 | $68.48 | Washington, DC | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer II | $104,986 | $50.47 | Washington, DC | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer III | $128,919 | $61.98 | Washington, DC | March 01, 2026 |
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Designs and develops software applications. Gathers and evaluates end-user requirements. Develops build plans. Performs coding, debugging, testing, code review, and troubleshooting throughout the software development lifecycle. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Software Engineer III Salaries in Washington, DCAlternate Job Titles:Senior Software Engineer, Software Developer III, Software Engineer III
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Designs and develops software applications. Gathers and evaluates end-user requirements. Develops build plans. Performs coding, debugging, testing, code review, and troubleshooting throughout the software development lifecycle. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Software Engineer I Salaries in Washington, DCAlternate Job Titles:Entry Software Engineer, Software Developer I, Software Engineer I
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Designs and develops software applications. Gathers and evaluates end-user requirements. Develops build plans. Performs coding, debugging, testing, code review, and troubleshooting throughout the software development lifecycle. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. Software Engineer IV Salaries in Washington, DCAlternate Job Titles:Software Developer IV, Software Engineer - Project Lead, Software Engineer IV
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Designs and develops software applications. Gathers and evaluates end-user requirements. Develops build plans. Performs coding, debugging, testing, code review, and troubleshooting throughout the software development lifecycle. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Software Engineer II Salaries in Washington, DCAlternate Job Titles:Intermediate Software Engineer, Software Developer II, Software Engineer II
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Designs and develops software applications. Gathers and evaluates end-user requirements. Develops build plans. Performs coding, debugging, testing, code review, and troubleshooting throughout the software development lifecycle. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. Software Engineer V Salaries in Washington, DCAlternate Job Titles:Software Developer V, Software Engineer - Consultant, Software Engineer V
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Designs, develops, tests, debugs, and implements embedded software and systems. Develops software and firmware source code in C/C++, Embedded C, and other languages. Understanding of common communication interfaces like SPI, I2C, USB, UART, and others. Utilizes version control, simulation, debugging, and other development tools. Collaborates cross functionally with hardware engineers. Provides engineering support for testing, deployment, and updates. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or related field. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. Embedded Software Engineer IV Salaries in Washington, DCAlternate Job Titles:Firmware Engineer IV, Embedded Software Engineer IV
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Designs, develops, tests, debugs, and implements embedded software and systems. Develops software and firmware source code in C/C++, Embedded C, and other languages. Understanding of common communication interfaces like SPI, I2C, USB, UART, and others. Utilizes version control, simulation, debugging, and other development tools. Collaborates cross functionally with hardware engineers. Provides engineering support for testing, deployment, and updates. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or related field. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Embedded Software Engineer II Salaries in Washington, DCAlternate Job Titles:Firmware Engineer II, Embedded Software Engineer II
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Designs, develops, tests, debugs, and implements embedded software and systems. Develops software and firmware source code in C/C++, Embedded C, and other languages. Understanding of common communication interfaces like SPI, I2C, USB, UART, and others. Utilizes version control, simulation, debugging, and other development tools. Collaborates cross functionally with hardware engineers. Provides engineering support for testing, deployment, and updates. Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or related field. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Embedded Software Engineer III Salaries in Washington, DCAlternate Job Titles:Firmware Engineer III, Embedded Software Engineer III
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Utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Software Quality Assurance Engineer II Salaries in Washington, DCAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer II, Software Testing and Quality Engineer II, Software Quality Assurance Engineer II
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Utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Software Quality Assurance Engineer III Salaries in Washington, DCAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer III, Software Testing and Quality Engineer III, Software Quality Assurance Engineer III