Software Developer Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Software Developers in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$134,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$64.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $135,980
State Rank
#12 of 50
58,470 employed here

How much does a Software Developer make in North Carolina?

Software Developers in North Carolina take home a median of $134,710 annually — roughly $64.76 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $135,980.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $83,840 while the top 10% make $179,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $104,530 and $164,750 a year.

Software Developer salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$83,840$40.31
25th percentile (early career)$104,530$50.25
50th percentile (median)$134,710$64.76
75th percentile (experienced)$164,750$79.21
90th percentile (top earners)$179,310$86.21

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 12th out of 50 states and territories for Software Developer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$174,410
2Washington$166,540
3New York$166,180
4Massachusetts$165,210
5Oregon$142,720

Working as a Software Developer in North Carolina

Nationally, about 1,688,000 people work as Software Developers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($134,710) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Software Developer make in North Carolina?
The median Software Developer salary in North Carolina is $134,710 per year, or about $64.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,840 at the entry level to $179,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Software Developers about 1% less than the national median of $135,980. North Carolina ranks 12th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Software Developers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $134,710 a year. About 58,470 Software Developers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Software Developer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.