How much does a Software Engineer make in the United States?
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The average Software Engineer salary in the United States is $143,747 as of May 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Software Engineer positions (listed below) typically falls between $79,529 and $207,965. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Software Engineer's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Software Engineer I | $87,052 | $41.85 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer III | $136,456 | $65.60 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer II | $109,085 | $52.44 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer IV | $159,996 | $76.92 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Engineer V | $189,474 | $91.09 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Embedded Software Engineer IV | $158,530 | $76.22 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Embedded Software Engineer II | $111,188 | $53.46 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Embedded Software Engineer III | $129,294 | $62.16 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Embedded Software Engineer I | $89,913 | $43.23 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Embedded Software Engineer V | $185,204 | $89.04 | United States | May 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 closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Software Engineer I SalaryAlternate 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 generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Software Engineer III SalaryAlternate 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. 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. View Software Engineer II SalaryAlternate 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. 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. View Software Engineer IV SalaryAlternate 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. 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. View Software Engineer V SalaryAlternate 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. View Embedded Software Engineer IV SalaryAlternate 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. View Embedded Software Engineer II SalaryAlternate 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. View Embedded Software Engineer III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Firmware Engineer III, Embedded Software Engineer III
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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 closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Embedded Software Engineer I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Firmware Engineer I, Embedded Software Engineer I
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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. 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. View Embedded Software Engineer V SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Firmware Engineer V, Embedded Software Engineer V