{
    "url": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/software-developers/united-states-us",
    "canonical": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/software-developers/united-states-us",
    "headline": "Software developers Salary in United States",
    "description": "Median Software developers salary in United States is $130K per year. Compare P10–P90 salary bands by experience, take-home pay and a five-year outlook.",
    "occupation": {
        "name": "Software developers",
        "slug": "software-developers",
        "family": null,
        "soc_code": null,
        "aliases": [],
        "description": null
    },
    "location": {
        "name": "United States",
        "slug": "united-states-us",
        "type": "country",
        "iso2": "US",
        "currency": "USD"
    },
    "period": 2026,
    "confidence": 90,
    "status": "published",
    "method": "ai",
    "updated_at": "2026-10-29T23:27:30+00:00",
    "salary_bands": [
        {
            "level": "entry",
            "years_experience": [
                0,
                2
            ],
            "p10": 65000,
            "p25": 75000,
            "p50": 88000,
            "p75": 105000,
            "p90": 120000,
            "base_share": 95,
            "bonus_share": 5,
            "equity_share": 0
        },
        {
            "level": "mid",
            "years_experience": [
                3,
                5
            ],
            "p10": 95000,
            "p25": 110000,
            "p50": 130000,
            "p75": 150000,
            "p90": 170000,
            "base_share": 88,
            "bonus_share": 8,
            "equity_share": 4
        },
        {
            "level": "senior",
            "years_experience": [
                6,
                9
            ],
            "p10": 125000,
            "p25": 145000,
            "p50": 170000,
            "p75": 200000,
            "p90": 230000,
            "base_share": 80,
            "bonus_share": 10,
            "equity_share": 10
        },
        {
            "level": "executive",
            "years_experience": [
                10,
                15
            ],
            "p10": 175000,
            "p25": 210000,
            "p50": 250000,
            "p75": 300000,
            "p90": 350000,
            "base_share": 65,
            "bonus_share": 15,
            "equity_share": 20
        }
    ],
    "take_home": {
        "currency": "USD",
        "tax_rate": 15.728461538461538,
        "top_rate": null,
        "method": "progressive",
        "label": "progressive brackets",
        "standard_deduction": 15000,
        "rebate": 0,
        "source": "IRS (2025 single filer federal)",
        "source_url": "https://www.irs.gov/",
        "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
        "verified": true,
        "notes": "2025 federal brackets; excludes FICA and state tax",
        "bands": [
            {
                "level": "entry",
                "gross": 88000,
                "taxable": 73000,
                "tax": 10974,
                "effective_rate": 12.470454545454546,
                "net_annual": 77026,
                "net_monthly": 6418.833333333333,
                "method": "progressive",
                "top_rate": null,
                "standard_deduction": 15000,
                "rebate": 0,
                "source": "IRS (2025 single filer federal)",
                "source_url": "https://www.irs.gov/",
                "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
                "verified": true,
                "notes": "2025 federal brackets; excludes FICA and state tax"
            },
            {
                "level": "mid",
                "gross": 130000,
                "taxable": 115000,
                "tax": 20447,
                "effective_rate": 15.728461538461538,
                "net_annual": 109553,
                "net_monthly": 9129.416666666666,
                "method": "progressive",
                "top_rate": null,
                "standard_deduction": 15000,
                "rebate": 0,
                "source": "IRS (2025 single filer federal)",
                "source_url": "https://www.irs.gov/",
                "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
                "verified": true,
                "notes": "2025 federal brackets; excludes FICA and state tax"
            },
            {
                "level": "senior",
                "gross": 170000,
                "taxable": 155000,
                "tax": 30047,
                "effective_rate": 17.674705882352942,
                "net_annual": 139953,
                "net_monthly": 11662.75,
                "method": "progressive",
                "top_rate": null,
                "standard_deduction": 15000,
                "rebate": 0,
                "source": "IRS (2025 single filer federal)",
                "source_url": "https://www.irs.gov/",
                "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
                "verified": true,
                "notes": "2025 federal brackets; excludes FICA and state tax"
            },
            {
                "level": "executive",
                "gross": 250000,
                "taxable": 235000,
                "tax": 52263,
                "effective_rate": 20.905199999999997,
                "net_annual": 197737,
                "net_monthly": 16478.083333333332,
                "method": "progressive",
                "top_rate": null,
                "standard_deduction": 15000,
                "rebate": 0,
                "source": "IRS (2025 single filer federal)",
                "source_url": "https://www.irs.gov/",
                "retrieved_at": "2026-10-23T00:00:00.000000Z",
                "verified": true,
                "notes": "2025 federal brackets; excludes FICA and state tax"
            }
        ]
    },
    "outlook": {
        "direction": "growing",
        "inflation_pct": 2.8,
        "real_growth_pct": 5,
        "forecasts": [
            {
                "year": 2027,
                "scenario": "base",
                "p25": 126060.48,
                "p50": 134680,
                "p75": 143299.52,
                "confidence": 84,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "2.5% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "45% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "3.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "3.6% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2027,
                "scenario": "conservative",
                "p25": 124235.28,
                "p50": 132730,
                "p75": 141224.72,
                "confidence": 84,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "2.5% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "45% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "3.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "3.6% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2027,
                "scenario": "optimistic",
                "p25": 127885.68,
                "p50": 136630,
                "p75": 145374.32,
                "confidence": 84,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "2.5% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "45% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "3.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "3.6% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2029,
                "scenario": "base",
                "p25": 134143.8,
                "p50": 144551.51,
                "p75": 154959.21,
                "confidence": 72,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "2.5% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "45% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "3.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "3.6% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2029,
                "scenario": "conservative",
                "p25": 128401.04,
                "p50": 138363.19,
                "p75": 148325.34,
                "confidence": 72,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "2.5% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "45% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "3.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "3.6% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2029,
                "scenario": "optimistic",
                "p25": 140055.28,
                "p50": 150921.63,
                "p75": 161787.99,
                "confidence": 72,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "2.5% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "45% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "3.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "3.6% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2031,
                "scenario": "base",
                "p25": 142734.83,
                "p50": 155146.55,
                "p75": 167558.28,
                "confidence": 60,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "2.5% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "45% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "3.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "3.6% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2031,
                "scenario": "conservative",
                "p25": 132696.63,
                "p50": 144235.47,
                "p75": 155774.3,
                "confidence": 60,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "2.5% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "45% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "3.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "3.6% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "year": 2031,
                "scenario": "optimistic",
                "p25": 153371.53,
                "p50": 166708.19,
                "p75": 180044.84,
                "confidence": 60,
                "drivers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Inflation (CPI)",
                        "note": "2.8% annual price growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Wage growth",
                        "note": "3.6% nominal wage trend",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Role demand trend",
                        "note": "2.5% annual role demand",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Hiring demand",
                        "note": "Demand index 58/100",
                        "weight": "medium",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Automation exposure",
                        "note": "45% exposure",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "steady"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Real wage growth",
                        "note": "0.8% after 2.8% inflation",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Scenario growth",
                        "note": "3.6% modelled nominal growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Researched salary growth",
                        "note": "3.6% expected annual salary growth",
                        "weight": "high",
                        "direction": "up"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ]
    },
    "skills": [],
    "sources": [
        {
            "name": "Numbeo / OECD composite (US=100)",
            "url": null,
            "type": "market_signal",
            "tier": "derived"
        },
        {
            "name": "Open exchange rates (2026)",
            "url": null,
            "type": "market_signal",
            "tier": "official"
        },
        {
            "name": "World Bank / IMF (2026 est.)",
            "url": null,
            "type": "market_signal",
            "tier": "official"
        },
        {
            "name": "OECD / national tax tables",
            "url": null,
            "type": "market_signal",
            "tier": "derived"
        },
        {
            "name": "ILO modelled estimates (2026)",
            "url": null,
            "type": "market_signal",
            "tier": "official"
        },
        {
            "name": "SpotSalary AI synthesis",
            "url": null,
            "type": "ai_synthesis",
            "tier": "estimate"
        }
    ],
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "What is the average salary of a Software developers in United States?",
            "answer": "SpotSalary models a median annual salary of $130K for a Software developers in United States, or about $10,833 per month before tax. The middle 50% of the estimate ranges from $110K to $150K, with a full P10–P90 range of $95K to $170K. This is a modelled estimate, not a job offer."
        },
        {
            "question": "How much does an entry-level Software developers earn in United States?",
            "answer": "The entry-level band for a Software developers in United States centres on $88K per year (P25–P75: $75K–$105K). Entry-level pay typically covers the first 2 years of experience and depends on company size, skills and responsibilities."
        },
        {
            "question": "How much does a senior or executive Software developers earn in United States?",
            "answer": "The executive band for a Software developers in United States has a median of $250K per year and a P75 of $300K. Senior and executive packages often include a larger bonus and equity component; this benchmark shows the total-compensation split for each level."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the salary outlook for a Software developers in United States?",
            "answer": "The outlook is growing. In the base scenario, median pay reaches $155.1K by 2031, about 19.3% above today before inflation and 5.0% per year in real terms after 2.8% inflation. Scenario bands widen over time and are not guarantees."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the take-home pay for a Software developers in United States?",
            "answer": "After an effective income tax rate of 15.7%, the mid-level Software developers in United States takes home about $109,553 per year, or $9,129 per month. The estimate uses imported national tax brackets and does not include social contributions or local levies."
        },
        {
            "question": "How does SpotSalary calculate these salary estimates?",
            "answer": "Estimates are anchored to external market signals — GDP per capita PPP, inflation, wage growth, cost of living, demand and automation exposure — and synthesised with AI. Deterministic validation rejects implausible outputs. This report carries 90% confidence."
        }
    ],
    "related": {
        "occupation_locations": [
            {
                "headline": "Software developers Salary in Manila, Philippines",
                "url": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/software-developers/manila-ph-1608618140"
            },
            {
                "headline": "Software developers Salary in Armenia",
                "url": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/software-developers/armenia-am"
            },
            {
                "headline": "Software developers Salary in Brunei",
                "url": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/software-developers/brunei-bn"
            }
        ],
        "occupation_hub": "https://www.spotsalary.com/occupations/software-developers",
        "location_hub": "https://www.spotsalary.com/locations/united-states-us",
        "all_salaries": "https://www.spotsalary.com/salaries"
    },
    "citation": {
        "plain": "Software developers Salary in United States. SpotSalary. https://www.spotsalary.com/salary/software-developers/united-states-us",
        "updated_at": "2026-10-29T23:27:30+00:00"
    }
}