How Much Does a Software Engineer Make in 2025?

Software engineering remains one of the highest-paying careers in North America. The national median sits around $128,000 with senior engineers in major tech hubs frequently clearing $200,000+ in total compensation.

What drives pay

• Location. San Francisco, Seattle, and New York pay 30–60% above the national median.
• Experience. Senior roles command a 30–60% premium over mid-level.
• Stack and domain. Infrastructure, ML, and security pay above average.

Top-paying metros

San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Boston anchor the top tier. Use our salary comparison tool to see how your city stacks up.

How to maximize earnings

1. Specialize in a high-leverage domain (infra, ML, security).

2. Target companies with documented public pay bands.

3. Negotiate base, equity, and signing bonus separately.