How much is the average software engineering salary by country?

That’s what you’ll learn today. In this post, you’ll find the average salaries in the United States, European Union, India, and many more. We compared data from over a dozen countries where software engineering is growing and thriving.

Ready to learn more? Here are the results!

Which country pays software engineers the most?

Which country comes out on top for software engineering salaries? The United States is highest on the list, with Israel and several European countries trailing behind.

The top three in our comparison are: the United States, Switzerland, and Israel.

Denmark, Canada, and Norway are next, with Australia, the UK, Germany, and Sweden rounding out the top 10.

COUNTRY SALARY
1. United States $110,140
2. Switzerland $97,518
3. Israel $71,559
4. Denmark $63,680
5. Canada $61,680
6. Norway $57,013
7. Australia $55,640
8. United Kingdom $55,275
9. Germany $52,275
10. Sweden $50,437

The Average Software Engineering Salary by Country

What are the average software engineering salaries around the world?

The best-paying countries are the US, Israel, and several European countries. However, even within a country, there can be big differences, as developers in major cities tend to get better paid than developers living outside of urban areas.

The highest paying countries in our research are:

COUNTRY SALARY
United States $110,140
Switzerland $97,518
Israel $71,559
Denmark $63,680
Canada $61,680
Norway $57,013
Australia $55,640
United Kingdom $55,275
Germany $52,275
Sweden $50,437
Ireland $48,427
Finland $47,850
The Netherlands $45,180
France $43,849
New Zealand $42,399
Singapore $41,864
Argentina $39,898
Japan $36,024

But what about the rest of the world? Which countries have the lowest software engineering salaries? Below is a sample list of countries with the lowest salaries for developers.

As you can see, developing countries like Nigeria pay the lowest at $7,255/year. India, a country where Western companies tend to outsource their technical needs, has an average yearly salary of $7,725. Developers in Eastern European countries can expect a significantly lower salary than their Western colleagues. In Poland a developer will typically make $22,740, and in Ukraine, the average is $22,348.

COUNTRY SALARY
China $23,790
Russia $23,737
Poland $22,740
Ukraine $22,348
South Africa $19,151
Brazil $11,337
Philippines $7,936
India $7,725
Nigeria $7,255

Which country has the highest demand for software engineers?

Overall, software development is the most in-demand profession in the world. According to PageGroup, the countries with the highest demand for software developers are Canada, Australia, Russia, Sweden, and New Zealand. As there is a shortage of developers, salaries also tend to be higher.

The Average Software Engineering Salary in the US

The average software developer salary in the US is $110,140 per year or $9,178 per month. The average junior developer salary is $69,354 per year or $5,779 per month. The average senior developer salary, on the other hand, is $104,188 per year or $8,682 per month.

Average developer salary in the US was $110,140 in 2020
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Extremely high and varying salaries for leads and head of’s, especially in the Bay Area, bring the national average up, but there can be big differences between states and cities. Here are the top-paying states and cities in the US:

Software engineering salaries in the US by state

What are the top-paying US states for software developers? Not surprisingly, California is the highest paying state for software engineers with a median salary of $146,770. Washington is ranked second, and Maryland comes in third place.

STATE SALARY
1. California $146,770
2. Washington $145,150
3. Maryland $131,240
4. New York $129,950
5. Rhode Island $128,790

Software engineering salaries in the US by city

The top-paying cities in the US include San Jose ($167,420), San Francisco ($158,320), and Seattle ($148,200). Interestingly, some nonmetropolitan areas offer similar median wages, such as the Southern Vermont and Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan areas, where a software developer can earn $133,050 and $125,310, respectively.

Highest Paid Metro Areas

METROPOLITAN AREA SALARY
San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara $167,420
San Francisco/Oakland/Hayward $158,320
Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue $148,220
Baltimore/Columbia/Towson $137,510
Santa Cruz/Watsonville $134,680
Washington D.C./Arlington/Alexandria $133,850
New York/Newark/Jersey City $133,620
San Diego/Carlsbad $133,580
Napa Valley $131,930
Sacramento/Roseville/Arden-Arcade $130,690

Highest Paid Nonmetropolitan Areas

NONMETROPOLITAN AREA SALARY
Southern Vermont $133,050
Eastern Oregon $125,310
Western Washington $119,610
Hawaii/Kauai $115,770
Massachusetts $115,250

Software engineering salaries by programming language in the US

If we look at programming languages, it’s clear that some of them pay better than others. Popular backend languages like Go and Python top the list. However, these are average salaries, so there can be big differences depending on where a developer is located.

●      Go is the best-paid language at $120,577.

●      Ruby comes in second place at $119,558.

●      Python pays an average of $114,904.

●      The average salary for Java is $112,013.

●      JavaScript typically pays $111,922 in the US.

●      Android developers make on average $109,377.

●      iOS has a slightly lower average salary compared to Android, at $108,783.

●      And Rust isn’t far behind, $108,744.

●      C pays an average of $101,734.

●     PHP typically pays $92,867.

●      And out of these languages, SQL pays the least; $85,845.

LANGUAGE SALARY
Golang $120,577
Ruby $119,55
Python $114,904
Java $112,013
JavaScript $111,922
Android $109,377
iOS $108,783
Rust $108,744
C $101,734
PHP $92,867
SQL $85,845

Software engineering salaries by job title in the US

Job titles can make a big difference for tech talent. While software developers get paid an average of $110,140, programmers are, on average, paid $105,310.

  • Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers are paid, on average, $110,140.
  • Software and web developers, programmers, and testers trail close behind, at $105,310.
  • Computer occupations are paid $91,250.
average software dev salary by title
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Average Software Engineering Salary in Europe

What’s the average software developer salary in Europe? The average salary is lower than in the US, but benefits and cost of living tend to outweigh some of those differences.

Overall, European countries differ a lot between East and West. Western European developers make at least $40,000+ a year, whereas developers in Eastern Europe can expect significantly less, around $20,000+ a year. Southern European developers are also paid less than their Northern counterparts. Developers in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Greece can expect between $21,314 to $36,323 per year.

COUNTRY SALARY
Switzerland $97,518
Denmark $63,680
Norway $57,013
United Kingdom $55,275
Germany $52,275
Estonia $52,816
Austria $51,536
Sweden $50,437
Ireland $48,427
Finland $47,850
The Netherlands $45,180
France $43,849
Belgium $39,687
Spain $36,323
Italy $32,579
The Czech Republic $29,721
Portugal $25,331
Poland $22,740
Hungary $22,353
Ukraine $22,348
Greece $21,314
Bulgaria $17,461

The average software engineering salary in Switzerland

The average software developer salary in Switzerland is $97,518 or $8,126 per month.

The average junior software developer salary in Switzerland is $89,643 or $7,470 per month. The average senior software developer salary is $127,693 or $10,641.

As is the case most often, developers in bigger cities tend to get better paid; in Switzerland, developers in Zurich are paid, on average, $110,123 or $9,176 per month.

In terms of programming language, there are some differences reflected in salaries:

  • SQL developers are paid the most in Switzerland, $108,868.
  • Golang pays an average of $108,827.
  • Rust is the third-highest paid language at $108,308.
  • The average yearly salary for Android is $104,256.
  • Python developers are paid $100,315.
  • Whereas iOS developers get paid $96,161.
  • Ruby developers are worth $93,280.
  • And Java developers get paid, on average, $91,706.
  • PHP developers get paid $88,131.
  • JavaScript developers are paid the least in Switzerland, $80,285.
LANGUAGE SALARY
SQL $108,868
Golang $108,827
Rust $108,308
Android $104,256
Python $100,315
iOS $96,161
Ruby $93,280
Java $91,706
PHP $88,131
JavaScript $80,285

The average software engineering salary in the United Kingdom

The average developer salary in the United Kingdom is $55,275 per year or $4,606 per month.

However, the average software developer salary in London is significantly higher; $73,993 per year or $6,166 per month.

The average junior software developer salary in the UK is $38,664 per year or $3,222 per month, and the average senior developer salary is $77,603 per year or $6,466 per month.

Average salaries can vary a lot depending on the language. For instance, the average salary for Ruby is far higher than for PHP or SQL.

  • Ruby developers are paid the most in the UK, $85,354.
  • Golang pays $79,726, and Rust $73,593.
  • iOS developers tend to be paid $73,147.
  • Python developers have an average salary of $67,570.
  • Java developers are paid $46,774.
  • Android developers are paid $44,112.
  • JavaScript developers earn $42,924.
  • And last on the list are SQL developers at $39,973, and PHP developers at $36,832.
LANGUAGE SALARY
Ruby $83,354
Golang $79,726
Rust $73,147
iOS $73,147
Python $67,570
Java $46,774
Android $44,112
JavaScript $42,924
SQL $39,973
PHP $36,832

The average software engineering salary in Germany

The average software developer salary in Germany is $52,913 per year or $4,409 per month.

Junior developers are, on average, paid $51,188 per year or $4,265, and senior developers can expect to be paid $78,194 per year or $6,516 per month.

As usual, there is a significant difference between cities and the rest of the country; a software developer in Berlin will typically get paid $65,524 per year, while Munich-based developers are paid a little more; approximately $66,880 per year.

What about programming languages, then? The best-paid languages in Germany are Golang at $65,533 and Ruby at $63,616.

  • Golang pays $65,533 and Ruby pays $63,616.
  • Rust comes in third place at $62,827.
  • iOS developers are paid $62,586.
  • PHP developers come in fifth place at $59,020.
  • Android developers are paid $56,572.
  • SQL developers in Germany earn, on average, $56,391.
  • JavaScript developers are paid $55,000, and Python developers $52,535.
  • Finally, Java developers are paid $52,404.
LANGUAGE SALARY
Golang $65,533
Ruby $63,616
Rust $62,827
iOS $62,586
PHP $59,020
Android $56,572
SQL $56,391
JavaScript $55,000
Python $52,535
Java $52,404

The average software engineering salary in France

In France, software developers make an average of $43,849 every year or $3,654 per month.

Senior developers earn $59,024 per year or $4,918 per month, and junior developers make $36,523 per year or $3,043 per month. In Paris, the average software developer earns $50,693.

In terms of languages, Golang is the best-paid language at $50,622 per year. Ruby comes in second place, while PHP and Java pay the least.

  • Golang is the best-paid language at $50,622.
  • On average, Ruby pays $48,581.
  • SQL pays $47,619.
  • Python is in fourth place at $46,964.
  • JavaScript pays $45,644.
  • iOS pays slightly more than Android, $43,501 versus $42,020.
  • PHP pays $40,566, and Java comes in last place at $40,160.
LANGUAGE SALARY
Golang $50,622
Ruby $48,581
SQL $47,619
Python $46,964
JavaScript $45,644
iOS $43,501
Android $42,020
PHP $50,566
Java $40,160

Average Salaries in Other High-Paying Countries

Let’s take a look at other high-paying countries around the world where local developers are still well paid compared to their local cost-of-living:

The average software engineering salary in Israel

In Israel, the average yearly software developer salary is $71,559 per year or $5,963 per month. Junior developers make $69,851 per year or $5,820 per month, whereas senior developers make $114,751 per year or $9,562 per month. Software developers in Tel Aviv are typically paid $90,788 per year or $7,565 per month.

As for languages, Golang ($109,702 per year) and Python ($83,369 per year) pay the most. PHP and, surprisingly, Ruby pay the least in Israel, $64,573 and $64,525 per year respectively.

  • Golang devs make an average of $109,702.
  • Python developers make $83,369.
  • Mobile developers are paid the third and fourth-best; Android developers are paid $78,558 per year and iOS developers are paid $76,692 per year.
  • Java developers are paid $74,251.
  • JavaScript developers earn $72,028.
  • SQL developers are paid $65,770 in Israel.
  • PHP ($64,573) and Ruby ($64,525) are the worst-paid languages in Israel.
LANGUAGE SALARY
Golang $109,702
Python $83,369
Android $78,558
iOS $76,692
Java $74,251
JavaScript $72,028
SQL $65,770
PHP $64,525
Ruby $64,525

The average software engineering salary in Japan

The average developer salary is $36,024 per year or $3,002 per month in Japan. Software developers in Tokyo are paid slightly more on average, $45,552 per year or $3,796 per month. Junior developers get paid $26,553 per year or $2,212 per month. Senior software developers get paid $53,773 per year or $4,481 per month.

In terms of programming languages, iOS pays the most with Ruby in second place. SQL and Java are the worst-paid programming languages in Japan.

  • iOS developers make $72,194, the highest on the list.
  • Ruby pays $53,128 per year while Golang $51,652 per year.
  • Android developers make an average of $38,730 per year in Japan.
  • Python developers make $36,021 and JavaScript developers earn $33,859.
  • PHP developers are paid, on average, $33,625 per year.
  • SQL developers are paid $31,815 and Java developers are paid the least, $23,623 per year.
LANGUAGE SALARY
iOS $72,194
Ruby $53,128
Golang $51,652
Android $38,730
Python $36,021
JavaScript $33,859
PHP $33,625
SQL $31,815
Java $23,623

The average software engineering salary in India

The average software developer salary in India is $7,725 per year or $643 per month. Developers in New Delhi are paid slightly more, at $10,211 per year or $851 per month. Junior developers are paid $5,488 or $457 per month. Senior developers, on the other hand, are paid $11,999 per year or $1,000 per month.

Ruby is the highest-paid programming language in India at $12,372 per year. Android is the lowest paid language at $5,181. Here’s the full list:

  • Ruby developers in India are the best paid at $12,372 per year.
  • Golang is the second-highest-paid language at $10,446.
  • Java comes in second at $9,519 per year.
  • iOS developers get paid $8,577 per year.
  • JavaScript developers earn $8,429 each year.
  • Python developers make $7,506 per year, and PHP developers earn $3,717.
  • SQL developers are, on average, paid $5,688.
  • Android developers are paid $5,181 per year and are the lowest paid software developers in India.
LANGUAGE SALARY
Ruby $12,372
Golang $10,446
Java $9,519
iOS $8,577
JavaScript $8,429
Python $7,506
PHP $3,717
SQL $5,688
Android $5,181

The Average Software Engineering Salary in the Philippines

In the Philippines, the average software developer salary is $7,936 per year or $661 per month. Junior developers are paid $5,256 per year and $438 per month. Senior software developers in the Philippines are paid $13,164 per year or $1,097 per month. In Manila, the average salary is slightly higher, $8,772 per year or $731 per month.

In terms of specific languages, Java pays the most in the Philippines at $10,833 per year. iOS pays the worst; iOS developers in the Philippines can expect to earn $3,059 per year.

  • Java pays the most in the Philippines, and Java developers are paid, on average, $10,833 per year.
  • Golang is the second-best paid language at $9,928 per year.
  • Python developers earn $8,888 per year in the Philippines.
  • PHP developers make $8,748 per year.
  • The average salary for Ruby developers is $6,742 per year.
  • SQL developers make $6,698 per year.
  • Android developers make $6,338 per year.
  • Javascript developers ($5,409) and iOS developers ($3,059) make the least in the Philippines.
LANGUAGE SALARY
Java $10,833
Golang $9,928
Python $8,888
PHP $8,748
Ruby $6,742
SQL $6,698
Android $6,338
JavaScript $5,409
iOS $3,059

The Average Software Engineering Salary in Nigeria

The average software developer salary in Nigeria is $7,255 per year. For junior developers, this means $1,453 per year or $121 per month, while senior software developers make $14,182 per year or $1,181 per month.

Developers in Abuja make slightly less than the national average, $5,808 per year or $484 per month.

In terms of programming languages, developers with knowledge of Ruby are best-paid ($12,110), while PHP and JavaScript developers are paid the least.

  • Ruby developers make, on average, $12,110 in Nigeria.
  • Golang developers are paid $7,266 per year.
  • Python developers are paid $7,225, while SQL developers make $5,650 per year.
  • iOS developers can expect to earn $4,844/year.
  • Java developers make $4,640 per year.
  • Android and PHP developers earn $3,875 per year and $3,482 per year, respectively.
  • JavaScript developers make $2,830 per year.
LANGUAGE SALARY
Ruby $12,110
Golang $7,266
Python $7,225
SQL $5,650
iOS $4,844
Java $4,640
Android $3,875
PHP $3,482
JavaScript $2,830

The Average Software Engineering Salary by City, Globally

If we compare software engineer salaries in different cities across the globe, US cities come out on top as the highest-paid cities. San Jose is the best-paid city for the average software developer at $167,420 per year, with San Francisco trailing closely behind ($158,320). Software developers get paid the least in Abuja, Nigeria in this comparison ($5,808). Here is a summary of the cities we looked at for the article:

  • San Jose is the best-paid city ($167,420).
  • San Francisco is close behind. Here, software developers can expect an average salary of $158,320.
  • Seattle, WA comes in third place at $148,220.
  • Baltimore, MD comes in fourth place at $137,510.
  • Santa Cruz is also home to well-paid developers; here, software developers earn an average of $134,680.
  • Washington D.C. comes in at #5 ($133,850/year), and New York comes in sixth, where developers earn, on average, $133,620.
  • San Diego, CA (#7) boasts an average salary of $133,580, while the typical salary in Napa, CA (#8) is $131,930. Developers in Sacramento, CA (#9) earn an average salary of $130,690.
  • In Zurich, Switzerland (#10), software developers can expect an average salary of $110,123.
  • Tel Aviv-based developers are among the best-paid developers internationally at $90,788/year.
  • In London, developers can expect to get paid an average of $73,993/year.
  • Munich-based developers are paid slightly better than Berlin developers at $66,880/year, while their Berlin counterparts are paid $65,524/year.
  • In Tokyo, developers average $45,552 per year.
  • However, in New Delhi, the average salary drops quite a bit. Here, developers are paid $10,211/year.
  • In Manila (Philippines), developers are paid $8,772.
  • In Abuja, Nigeria, the average developer makes $5,808 per year.
CITY SALARY
San Jose $167,420
San Francisco $158,320
Seattle $148,220
Baltimore $137,510
Santa Cruz $134,680
Washington D.C. $133,850
New York $133,620
San Diego $133,580
Napa $131,930
Sacramento $130,690
Zurich $110,123
Tel Aviv $90,788
London $73,993
Munich $66,880
Berlin $65,524
Tokyo $45,552
New Delhi $10,211
Manila $8,772
Abuja $5,808

The Average Software Engineering Salary by Programming Language

What languages are the best-paid if we compare them? Here is the average software engineer salary by language. Golang and Ruby tend to be highly paid languages, whereas JavaScript and PHP are the languages with the lowest salaries.

The average salaries across all ten countries in our comparison are:

LANGUAGE SALARY
Golang $61,427
Ruby $55,847
iOS $54,954
Python $52,318
Android $48,902
SQL $47,020
Java $46,592
JavaScript $45,833
PHP $43,656

Golang

COUNTRY SALARY
USA $120,577
Israel $109,702
Switzerland $108,827
UK $79,726
Germany $65,533
Japan $51,652
France $50,622
India $10,446
Philippines $9,928
Nigeria $7,266

Ruby

COUNTRY SALARY
USA $119,558
Switzerland $93,280
UK $85,354
Israel $64,525
Germany $62,827
Japan $53,128
France $48,581
India $12,372
Nigeria $12,110
Philippines $6,742

Python

COUNTRY SALARY
USA $114,904
Switzerland $100,315
Israel $83,369
UK $67,570
Germany $52,535
France $46,964
Japan $36,021
India $7,506
Nigeria $7,255
Philippines $6,742

Java

COUNTRY SALARY
USA $112,013
Switzerland $91,706
Israel $74,251
Germany $52,404
UK $46,774
France $40,160
Japan $23,623
Philippines $10,833
India $9,519
Nigeria $4,640

JavaScript

COUNTRY SALARY
USA $111,922
Switzerland $80,285
Israel $72,028
Germany $55,000
France $45,644
UK $42,924
Japan $33,859
Philippines $8,429
India $5,409
Nigeria $2,830

Android

COUNTRY SALARY
USA $109,377
Switzerland $104,256
Israel $78,558
Germany $56,572
UK $44,112
France $42,020
Japan $38,730
Philippines $6,338
India $5,181
Nigeria $3,875

iOS

COUNTRY SALARY
USA $108,783
Switzerland $96,161
Israel $76,692
UK $73,147
Japan $72,194
Germany $62,586
France $43,501
India $8,577
Nigeria $4,844
Philippines $3,059

SQL

COUNTRY SALARY
Switzerland $108,868
USA $85,845
Israel $65,770
Germany $56,391
France $47,619
UK $39,973
Japan $31,815
Philippines $6,698
India $5,688
Nigeria $5,650

PHP

COUNTRY SALARY
USA $92,867
Switzerland $88,131
Israel $64,573
Germany $59,020
France $40,566
UK $36,832
Japan $33,625
Philippines $8,748
India $3,717
Nigeria $3,482

Junior Software Engineering Salaries by Country

If we look at the average junior software engineer salary by country, we can see that some of the otherwise higher-paying countries slide down in the rankings. For instance, the US is third on the list with Switzerland and Israel jumping ahead. German junior software developers get paid better than those in the UK, France, and Japan, and Nigerian junior developers are remunerated more than those in India or the Philippines.

COUNTRY SALARY
Switzerland $89,643
Israel $69,851
USA $69,354
Germany $51,188
UK $38,664
France $36,523
Japan $26,553
Nigeria $7,255
India $5,488
Philippines $5,256

Senior Software Engineering Salaries by Country

How do senior software developer salaries compare? Here is the average senior software developer salary by country.

Switzerland tops the list again with Israel in second and the US third. German senior developers make slightly more than those in the UK, who, again, earn more than senior software developers based in France and Japan. Out of developing countries, Nigeria leads the comparison with India last.

COUNTRY SALARY
Switzerland $127,693
Israel $114,751
USA $104,188
Germany $78,194
UK $77,603
France $59,024
Japan $53,773
Nigeria $14,182
Philippines $13,164
India $11,999

Over to you!

There you have it. That’s the list of the average software engineering salaries around the world!

As you can see, there are big differences between individual countries. Software development is, still, one of the most highly sought-after and best-paid professions in the world.

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Primary Resources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Economic Research Institute

Source: Average Software Engineering Salaries by Country in 2022