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Average Software Engineer Salary by State 2026

Software developer and engineer salaries in all 50 states. Includes cost-of-living adjusted comparisons.

$170,200
Highest (California)
$97,750
Lowest (Mississippi)
$116,840
National Average
$142,000
Best Adjusted (Washington)

Top 5 Highest Pay

#1 California$170,200
#2 Washington$163,300
#3 New York$155,250
#4 Massachusetts$149,500
#5 New Jersey$140,300

Top 5 Best Value (COL Adj.)

#1 Washington$142,000
#2 Illinois$136,022
#3 Texas$133,548
#4 Virginia$131,748
#5 Georgia$129,839

Bottom 5 Lowest Pay

#50 Mississippi$97,750
#49 West Virginia$97,750
#48 Arkansas$101,200
#47 Montana$101,200
#46 North Dakota$101,200

All 50 States — Software Engineer Salary

#StateSalary MonthlyCOL AdjustedCOL IndexTax Rate
#1California$170,200$14,183$119,8591429.3%
#2Washington$163,300$13,608$142,000115None
#3New York$155,250$12,938$111,69113910.9%
#4Massachusetts$149,500$12,458$110,7411355%
#5New Jersey$140,300$11,692$115,95012110.75%
#6Virginia$135,700$11,308$131,7481035.75%
#7Colorado$132,250$11,021$125,9521054.4%
#8Maryland$132,250$11,021$112,0761185.75%
#9Oregon$132,250$11,021$117,0351139.9%
#10Connecticut$128,800$10,733$106,4461216.99%
#11Illinois$126,500$10,542$136,022934.95%
#12Minnesota$124,200$10,350$128,041979.85%
#13Texas$124,200$10,350$133,54893None
#14Delaware$120,750$10,063$118,3821026.6%
#15Georgia$120,750$10,063$129,839935.49%
#16Hawaii$120,750$10,063$63,55319011%
#17New Hampshire$120,750$10,063$107,813112None
#18Pennsylvania$120,750$10,063$128,457943.07%
#19Arizona$117,300$9,775$113,8831032.5%
#20Nevada$117,300$9,775$112,788104None
#21North Carolina$117,300$9,775$123,474954.5%
#22Rhode Island$117,300$9,775$107,6151095.99%
#23Alaska$115,000$9,583$90,551127None
#24Florida$115,000$9,583$111,650103None
#25Utah$115,000$9,583$111,6501034.65%
#26Michigan$112,700$9,392$126,629894.25%
#27Ohio$111,550$9,296$125,337893.99%
#28Tennessee$109,250$9,104$120,05591None
#29Wisconsin$109,250$9,104$117,473937.65%
#30Indiana$106,950$8,913$118,833903.15%
#31Missouri$106,950$8,913$121,534884.95%
#32Kansas$105,800$8,817$118,876895.7%
#33Maine$105,800$8,817$97,0641097.15%
#34Nebraska$105,800$8,817$116,264915.84%
#35South Carolina$105,800$8,817$115,000926.4%
#36Alabama$103,500$8,625$118,966875%
#37Idaho$103,500$8,625$106,701975.8%
#38Iowa$103,500$8,625$115,000906%
#39Kentucky$103,500$8,625$118,966874.5%
#40Louisiana$103,500$8,625$113,736914.25%
#41New Mexico$103,500$8,625$113,736915.9%
#42Oklahoma$103,500$8,625$120,349864.75%
#43Vermont$103,500$8,625$94,0911108.75%
#44Arkansas$101,200$8,433$120,476844.4%
#45Montana$101,200$8,433$98,2521035.9%
#46North Dakota$101,200$8,433$108,817932.9%
#47South Dakota$101,200$8,433$111,20991None
#48Wyoming$101,200$8,433$106,52695None
#49Mississippi$97,750$8,146$117,771835%
#50West Virginia$97,750$8,146$116,369845.12%

Other Salary Data

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Frequently Asked Questions

What state pays Software Engineers the most?

California pays the highest Software Engineer salary at $170,200/year. However, after adjusting for cost of living, Washington offers the best real value at $142,000 adjusted.

What is the average Software Engineer salary in 2026?

The national average Software Engineer salary is $116,840/year. This varies from $97,750 in Mississippi to $170,200 in California.

Which state is best for Software Engineers after cost of living?

Washington offers the best cost-of-living adjusted Software Engineer salary at $142,000. This accounts for housing, taxes, groceries, and other expenses.

How much do Software Engineers make per month?

The average Software Engineer makes $9,737/month before taxes. After federal and state taxes, take-home pay ranges from $5,865 to $11,063/month.

Data & Research

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