Software Engineer Salary: Your 2025 Guide

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Learn how much software engineers can make and the factors that affect their salaries.

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The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 17 percent job growth in the software engineering field between 2023 and 2033 [1]. This rate is substantially faster than the average across all US jobs, making it an excellent time to start or advance your career in this field. Use the following article to compare software engineer salaries in the United States by level of experience, location, and area of expertise. Read on to learn about in-demand skills you can use to increase your salary and advance your career.

Average software engineer salary: How much do software engineers make?

In the US, software engineers earn an average salary of $112,165 [2]. They can also earn between $26,000 and $49,000 in additional pay, which may include bonuses, profit-sharing, or commissions [2]. Software engineer salaries vary depending on the factors described in each section below.

Specialization

Since modern businesses rely on technology to manage daily operations, software engineers can work in nearly every industry. Software engineering also branches out into many different disciplines, such as cloud computing and mobile app development. Explore the following salary insights by job role, popular technologies, and fields of expertise:

Location

Although many software engineers work remotely, location can still impact yearly salary. Remember that the cost of living also plays a role in pay. The top five highest-paying states for software engineers include [10]:

  1. California

  2. Washington

  3. New York

  4. Nevada

  5. Oregon

You can learn more about software engineer salaries and employment rates by state by checking out the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics tables for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.

Education

Seventy-three percent of software engineers have a bachelor's degree, 20 percent have a master's, and four percent have an associate degree [11]. Most commonly, software engineers pursue degrees in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or information technology. If earning a degree is not part of your plan, you have other options.

A recent study shows 81 percent of companies chose to adopt skills-based hiring methods in 2024 [12]. Employers may prefer candidates with hands-on experience or accept micro-credentials such as certifications and certificates in lieu of a degree.

You can qualify for an entry-level software engineering job in as little as four months by completing the Amazon Junior Software Developer Professional Certificate program. You'll learn full-stack development using industry-standard languages and tools like JavaScript, SQL, and generative AI.

Is it hard to become a software engineer? 

Software engineering can seem complex at first if you don’t have coding or technical experience, but the good news is that you can find a vast array of online resources, boot camps, and tutorials available to beginners to help you master the fundamentals of coding with ease. To become an effective software engineer, be willing to adopt a habit of continuous learning to stay current on the emerging trends and approaches in the field. You can start by learning a relatively easy-to-learn programming language, such as Python, and then move on to higher-level languages. Developing your workplace skills, like logical thinking, communication, and project management, will also help you navigate the challenges of the software engineering field. 

Taking a beginner-level course, like IBM’s DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate on Coursera, can help you take your first steps in the field by helping you understand the foundational concepts of software engineering.

In-demand skills for software engineer jobs

Developing in-demand skills may help you increase your current salary, so it's essential for software engineers to stay up-to-date on technology trends and advancements. To get started, you can subscribe to the Career Chat LinkedIn newsletter for weekly briefings on career advancement and emerging tech. Here are a few skills to consider building:

  • MERN stack is a popular framework among full-stack developers, well known for its versatility.

  • Generative AI: The demand for AI literacy has risen in the last couple of years. According to a survey by StackOverflow, 63.2 percent of professional developers use AI tools in their workflow [14]. Being able to effectively and ethically leverage AI to increase your productivity is a desirable skill that may help you stand out as a job candidate. You can learn from the experts at IBM while earning a certificate for your studies by enrolling in the Generative AI for Software Development Specialization:

Average software engineer salary based on experience

The following annual salary insights were sourced from Glassdoor in June 2025 [2]:

  • Entry level (0-1 year): $89,752

  • Junior (1-3 years): $98,679

  • Intermediate (4-6 years): $109,881

  • Senior (7-9 years): $118,162

Top companies hiring for software engineer jobs

The following list outlines the average yearly salary range for major tech companies hiring software engineers [2]:

  • Airbnb: $293,000 to $459,000

  • Cruise: $277,000 to $427,000

  • Meta: $273,000 to $432,000

  • Roku: $258,000 to $402,000

Advance your software engineering career on Coursera

Prepare for a junior role as a software engineer by earning the Amazon Junior Developer Professional Certificate. You'll gain foundational knowledge of popular programming languages, as well as in-demand skills like generative AI, in as little as four months:

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, consider the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of London. Earning your BSc virtually allows you to work at your own pace and earn career credentials for a fraction of the cost of in-person education.

Article sources

1. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). "Occupational Outlook Handbook: Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm." Accessed June 17, 2025.

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