Software Developers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Software Developers in the United States earn a median salary of $135,980 per year — about $65 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 1.9M people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +15%.
AI & Automation Risk
This occupation is fundamentally digital, with core tasks like coding, debugging, and test automation being primary use cases for Large Language Models. While high-level system architecture and complex stakeholder communication provide some insulation, AI is drastically increasing individual productivity, which will likely lead to significant restructuring of entry-level roles and QA functions.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $213,110 | Above avg (113.1) | $188,495 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $154,860 | Below avg (93.5) | $165,601 |
| Boulder, CO | $164,560 | Average (100.6) | $163,556 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $186,640 | Above avg (117.6) | $158,774 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $162,090 | Above avg (105.6) | $153,462 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area | $162,650 | Above avg (107.0) | $151,994 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $166,090 | Above avg (110.4) | $150,453 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,280 | Above avg (112.7) | $148,389 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $166,830 | Above avg (112.6) | $148,102 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $130,600 | Below avg (88.3) | $147,863 |
| Kokomo, IN | $132,390 | Below avg (89.6) | $147,838 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $163,270 | Above avg (110.7) | $147,434 |
| Peoria, IL | $130,590 | Below avg (88.8) | $147,005 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $156,000 | Above avg (106.7) | $146,185 |
| Rochester, MN | $134,450 | Below avg (93.0) | $144,635 |