Software Developer Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$166,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$80.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $135,980
State Rank
#2 of 50
107,030 employed here

How much does a Software Developer make in Washington?

A Software Developer working in Washington earns a median salary of $166,540 per year, or about $80.07 per hour. That is 22% above the national median of $135,980 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $96,810 while the top 10% make $255,350 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $132,290 and $211,860 a year.

Software Developer salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$96,810$46.54
25th percentile (early career)$132,290$63.60
50th percentile (median)$166,540$80.07
75th percentile (experienced)$211,860$101.86
90th percentile (top earners)$255,350$122.76

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 2nd 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($166,540) 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 Washington?
The median Software Developer salary in Washington is $166,540 per year, or about $80.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $96,810 at the entry level to $255,350 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Software Developers about 22% more than the national median of $135,980. Washington ranks 2nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Software Developers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $166,540 a year. About 107,030 Software Developers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.