Software engineer salary rates vary across the world in 2025, with top earners in the United States making over $120,000 annually, while developers in other regions earn significantly less. Understanding these differences helps both employers budget their hiring strategies and candidates benchmark their worth in the global market.
The tech industry continues to grow at a rapid pace, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 17% job growth for software developers between 2023 and 2033. Location plays the biggest role in determining pay rates. A developer in San Francisco earns nearly 20 times more than a developer in Nigeria doing similar work.
Experience level, programming language, and company size also shape compensation packages. This guide breaks down what software engineers actually make across different countries, cities, and specializations based on 2025 data.
Software Engineer Salary Overview: 2025 Trends
The average software developer in the United States earns $110,140 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Glassdoor reports a higher figure of $139,702, while other sources place the average between $112,165 and $126,000 annually. These variations reflect differences in how companies calculate total compensation, including bonuses and stock options.
Globally, software engineers earn an average of $70,877 per year based on self-reported data from over 20,000 employees. North America leads with an average of $82,757, followed by Oceania at $86,004, and Western Europe at $69,720. The field remains one of the most in-demand professions worldwide, according to recruitment company Michael Page.
Top-Paying Countries for Software Engineer Salary
1/ United States and North America
The United States pays software engineers more than any other country. The average reaches $120,000+ annually, with some sources reporting figures as high as $147,524. California leads all states with a median salary of $146,770, followed by Washington at $145,150 and Maryland at $131,240.
Canadian developers earn between $61,680 and $80,000 per year on average. Mexico rounds out North America with an average of $64,304 annually for remote developers.
2/ Western Europe
Switzerland tops European countries with software engineers earning $97,518 to $115,000 per year. Zurich-based developers make even more, averaging $110,123 annually. Denmark comes second at $63,680 to $84,000, followed by Norway at $57,013 to $78,000.
The United Kingdom pays developers an average of $55,275 annually, though London-based engineers earn significantly more at $73,993. Germany offers $52,275 to $64,000 on average, with Munich and Berlin developers earning $66,880 and $65,524, respectively.
3/ Eastern Europe
Eastern European countries present a compelling value proposition for companies. Poland leads the region with developers earning $53,000 to $60,000 annually. Romania follows at $50,000 to $57,600, while Ukraine averages $48,000 to $54,000 per year.
These rates represent a fraction of Western European and North American salaries. A back-end developer in Ukraine costs $33,000 compared to $64,514 in the UK and $120,000 in the USA.
4/ Asia and Oceania
Australia leads the Asia-Pacific region with software engineers earning $55,640 to $100,000 annually. Singapore follows at $41,864 to $51,000, while Japan offers $36,024 per year.
India remains a major outsourcing hub with developers earning $7,725 to $8,366 annually on average. The Philippines pays $7,936 per year, while Nigeria averages $7,255 annually.
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level
1/ Junior Software Engineer Salary
Entry-level software engineers in the United States $75,980. Glassdoor places the average at $83,000, while other sources report $85,000 to $135,000 depending on location and company.
Switzerland pays junior developers $89,643 per year, the highest globally. Israel comes second at $69,851, followed by Germany at $51,188. The UK pays $38,664 for junior roles, while France averages $36,523.
2/ Mid-Level Developer Rates
Mid-level developers with 2-5 years of experience earn $98,679 to $111,000 in the United States. ZipRecruiter reports an average of $111,000, while Glassdoor data shows a range of $113,000 to $148,000, including additional compensation.
Switzerland leads with $127,693 for mid-level talent. Israel pays $114,751, and the United States averages $104,188. Germany offers $78,194, matching the UK’s $77,603.
3/ Senior Developer Rates
Senior software engineers with 7+ years of experience command $118,162 to $193,000 in the United States. The range extends even higher at top tech companies, with some senior roles paying $200,000 or more annually.
Switzerland pays senior developers up to $127,693, while Israel pays $114,751. Germany and the UK both pay around $77,000-$78,000 for senior positions.
Salary Breakdown by Programming Language
1/ Python and Java Developers
Python developers earn some of the highest salaries across all programming languages. In the United States, Python specialists make $114,904 annually on average. Go developers top the list at $120,577, with Ruby close behind at $119,558.
Java developers earn $112,013 in the United States and $91,706 in Switzerland. The language remains popular for backend development and mobile applications, with 30.3% of developers using it in 2024.
2/ JavaScript and React Developers
JavaScript developers earn $111,922 in the United States, with Switzerland paying $80,285 and Israel $72,028. As the most popular programming language used by over 60% of programmers worldwide, JavaScript skills remain in constant demand.
React developers command higher rates due to specialized skills. The United States pays React developers $120,000 to $129,348 annually for mid-level positions. Switzerland offers $114,000, while Singapore pays $108,000.
3/ Specialized Technologies (DevOps, AI/ML, Mobile)
AI and machine learning developers earn the highest salaries of any specialization. Senior AI developers in the United States make $210,251, while Switzerland make $240,600. Mid-level AI developers earn $163,765 in the US and $137,200 in Singapore.
DevOps engineers earn $144,000 to $180,000 for mid to senior-level positions in the United States. By 2028, the DevOps industry will reach $25.5 billion globally. Mobile developers see strong demand across platforms, with iOS developers in the United States earning $108,783 and Android developers making $109,377.
Software Engineer Salary by Location: Cities That Pay the Most
San Jose leads all cities globally with software engineers earning $167,420 annually. San Francisco follows at $158,320, and Seattle pays $148,220. Baltimore comes fourth at $137,510, with Washington D.C. paying $133,850.
Outside the United States, Zurich pays $110,123 and Tel Aviv $90,788 annually. London averages $73,993, while Munich pays $66,880 and Berlin $65,524. Some nonmetropolitan areas compete with major cities. Southern Vermont pays $133,050 and Eastern Oregon $125,310 annually.
How Company Size and Industry Affect Your Salary
Large tech companies pay significantly more than smaller firms. Google averages $251,000 for software engineers, while Meta pays $263,000. Apple offers $247,129, Microsoft $197,000, and Amazon $188,000 annually.
Company size creates notable salary differences. Engineers at companies with 1,000+ employees earn $147,166 on average. Mid-size companies with 201-500 employees pay $123,437, while small firms with 1-50 employees average $101,832.
Industry specialization matters too. Media streaming and social networks pay software developers $168,330 annually. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing offers $161,730. Software publishers provide median salaries of $143,210, compared to $127,880 in computer systems design.
Looking to hire top software engineering talent at competitive rates?
Gini Talent connects you with skilled developers across global markets. Contact us today to find the right match for your technical needs and budget.
