2026 SWE compensation reality check
Base salary is only part of the story
Top companies pay in total compensation: base, bonus, RSU vesting, and refresh grants. If you only negotiate base, you may be leaving 20%-40% of your compensation on the table.
| Company / Benchmark | Total Comp (Median) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| BLS National Median (Base) | $132,270/yr | BLS OEWS 2023 [0] |
| Glassdoor Median Total Pay | $150,000/yr | Glassdoor 2025 [3] |
| Google Software Engineer | $296,000/yr | Glassdoor 2025 [3] |
| Microsoft Software Engineer | $219,000/yr | Glassdoor 2025 [3] |
| Cisco Software Engineer | $236,000/yr | Glassdoor 2025 [3] |
| Meta Software Engineer | $346,000/yr | Glassdoor 2025 [3] |
| Web Search Portals (BLS) | $215,840/yr | BLS OEWS 2023 [0] |
| BLS P90 (Top 10%) | $208,620/yr | BLS OEWS 2023 [0] |
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2023, SOC 15-1252; Levels.fyi 2025 Annual Report; Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024; Glassdoor Software Engineer Salaries.
Software Engineer Raise Calculator
The BLS median is $132,270 - but total comp at top tech companies reaches $296K-$346K. Calculate your Base + RSU + Bonus, find your level benchmark, and get a data-backed negotiation script.
Data timing
Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2023; Levels.fyi 2025; Stack Overflow Dev Survey 2024; Glassdoor Apr 2025
Profession benchmarks
Software Developer Salary Percentiles - BLS OEWS May 2023
BLS tracks wage data; tech workers negotiate total comp. Use the table as the base salary floor, then compare RSU and bonus against Glassdoor and Levels.fyi. [0]
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $77,020/yr | $37.03/hr | Entry-level, non-tech industry |
| 25th | $101,200/yr | $48.65/hr | Junior / early career |
| 50th (Median) | $132,270/yr | $63.59/hr | National median |
| 75th | $167,540/yr | $80.55/hr | Senior SWE, tech industry |
| 90th | $208,620/yr | $100.30/hr | Staff / Principal, FAANG |
Calculate software engineer compensation as total comp
Software Engineer Total Comp Calculator
Model base, bonus, and annual RSU vesting together. The default scenario is tuned to the S-15 acceptance case.
Current Total Comp
$183,000
New Base
$136,500
Company Type
Filing Status
Your Total Comp Results
Total Compensation Breakdown
Take-Home Impact (CA, Single)
Current take-home
$9,650/month
New take-home
$10,020/month
Monthly gain
+$370/month
Tax drag
~38% (CA + Federal)
Annual gain: +$4,440/year
TC Percentile (National, Senior)
Your TC $183,000: ~65th percentile
BLS Median: $132,270 Above
BLS P75: $167,540 Above
Glassdoor Median: $150,000 Above
FAANG Senior avg: $250K-$350K - gap -$67K to -$167K/yr
Real Wage Check
Base raise: 5.0%
CPI (Apr 2026): 3.8%
Real base raise: +1.2% (+$1,560/year)
Levels.fyi 2025 median TC growth: +3.5%
Your raise beats CPI and sits above the 2025 SWE market TC growth benchmark.
At or Above Median.
Your base meets or exceeds the BLS median of $132,270. To reach the 75th percentile ($167,540), you need +$31,040 more in base. Audit your TC: Glassdoor reports SWE additional pay of $26K-$48K/year.
Level Promotion Simulator
Compare your TC against the range for your current level, then model the next promotion jump.
Company Type
FAANG Level Path - San Francisco Bay Area
- L3/E3New Grad$150K-$200KPast
- L4/E4Mid-level$180K-$250KYou
- L5/E5Senior$250K-$350KNext
- L6/E6Staff$350K-$500KFuture
- L7/E7Senior Staff$500K-$700KFuture
- L8/E8Principal/Fellow$700K-$1M+Future
Your current TC: $165,000. L4/E4 market range: $180K-$250K. Warning: You are below the market floor ($180,000). Recommended immediate ask: $180,000-$200,000 TC.
L4 -> L5 jump
$70K-$100K TC
L5 -> L6 jump
$100K-$150K TC
At-level annual raise
3%-6% + RSU refresh
FAANG Level TC Benchmarks
| Level | Google TC | Meta TC | Microsoft TC | Mid-size Tech |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L3 / New Grad | $180K-$220K | $180K-$230K | $140K-$170K | $100K-$140K |
| L4 / Mid-level | $220K-$280K | $230K-$300K | $170K-$210K | $130K-$170K |
| L5 / Senior | $280K-$370K | $300K-$400K | $200K-$260K | $160K-$220K |
| L6 / Staff | $370K-$500K | $400K-$550K | $260K-$350K | $200K-$280K |
| L7 / Senior Staff | $500K-$700K | $550K-$800K | $350K-$500K | $280K-$400K |
Industry Comparison Calculator
SWE pay can change without a title change. Compare your current industry against Web Search, social media, hardware, cloud, and consulting benchmarks.
Computer Systems Design -> Web Search / Social Media
Current industry avg
$130,390
Target industry avg
$215,840
Market-rate gap
+$85,450/yr
65.5% vs. current track
Your entered TC is $145,000 and your entered base is $120,000. The industry market gap above compares BLS industry averages, so the default Computer Systems Design -> Web Search switch shows +$85,450/year. State selected: California.
| Industry | Annual Mean | Hourly Mean | vs. National Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Search Portals (Google/Bing) | $215,840 | $103.77/hr | +$83,570 |
| Taxi/Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | $187,550 | $90.17/hr | +$55,280 |
| Social Media / Streaming | $180,570 | $86.81/hr | +$48,300 |
| Computer Hardware Manufacturing | $179,480 | $86.29/hr | +$47,210 |
| Software Publishers | $148,610 | $71.45/hr | +$16,340 |
| Cloud / Data Centers | $142,940 | $68.72/hr | +$10,670 |
| Computer Systems Design | $130,390 | $62.69/hr | -$1,880 |
| Management / Scientific Consulting | $122,760 | $59.02/hr | -$9,510 |
In tech compensation, base salary is one line item. RSU refreshes, annual bonus, and company-level TC bands often decide whether a raise is competitive.
Software Engineer Salary by Industry - BLS OEWS 2023
The same SWE title pays very differently by industry. Web Search Portals sit far above the national median, while consulting is the lowest row in this benchmark set.
| Industry | Annual Mean | Hourly Mean | vs. National Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Search Portals (Google/Bing) | $215,840 | $103.77/hr | +$83,570 |
| Taxi/Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | $187,550 | $90.17/hr | +$55,280 |
| Social Media / Streaming | $180,570 | $86.81/hr | +$48,300 |
| Computer Hardware Manufacturing | $179,480 | $86.29/hr | +$47,210 |
| Software Publishers | $148,610 | $71.45/hr | +$16,340 |
| Cloud / Data Centers | $142,940 | $68.72/hr | +$10,670 |
| Computer Systems Design | $130,390 | $62.69/hr | -$1,880 |
| Management / Scientific Consulting | $122,760 | $59.02/hr | -$9,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2023, SOC 15-1252. Web Search Portals average $215,840/year, or $83,570 above the BLS median.
Software Engineer Salary by Specialization - 2025
AI/ML, SRE, cloud, and security skills command the strongest premiums because they map directly to scarce infrastructure and AI platform work.
| Specialization | Salary Range | TC Premium | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI / ML Engineer | $160K-$250K+ | +20%-40% | Levels.fyi 2025 |
| Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) | $155K-$230K | +15%-30% | Stack Overflow 2024 |
| Cloud Infrastructure Engineer | $150K-$220K | +15%-25% | Stack Overflow 2024 |
| Security Engineer | $145K-$210K | +10%-20% | Stack Overflow 2024 |
| Data Engineer | $140K-$200K | +8%-18% | Stack Overflow 2024 |
| Full-Stack Developer | $120K-$180K | Baseline | BLS / Glassdoor |
| Front-End Developer | $110K-$165K | -5%-0% | Stack Overflow 2024 |
| Mobile Developer (iOS/Android) | $130K-$190K | +5%-15% | Stack Overflow 2024 |
Software Developer Salary by State - 2025
State pay matters, but after-tax and housing math changes the answer. California and Washington lead the table; Ohio is the lowest row shown.
| State | Annual Mean | vs. National Median | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $166,250 | +$33,980 | Silicon Valley premium |
| Washington | $163,840 | +$31,570 | Seattle / Microsoft / Amazon |
| New York | $155,120 | +$22,850 | NYC finance + tech |
| Massachusetts | $152,430 | +$20,160 | Boston / Cambridge |
| Virginia | $143,780 | +$11,510 | DC / AWS HQ |
| Texas | $136,490 | +$4,220 | Austin tech boom |
| Colorado | $135,200 | +$2,930 | Denver / Boulder |
| National Median | $132,270 | - | BLS OEWS 2023 |
| Florida | $119,840 | -$12,430 | Miami tech growing |
| Ohio | $112,560 | -$19,710 | Columbus / Cleveland |
California premium: California averages $166K+, but state tax and Bay Area housing can erase much of the nominal gain.
Remote work shift: Stack Overflow 2024 shows U.S. full-time employment dropping from 69% to 65%, consistent with more varied remote and contract arrangements. [2]
Understanding RSU Vesting: Your "Hidden" Salary
Glassdoor reports SWE additional pay of $26,000-$48,000/year on top of base salary. [3] At FAANG companies, RSUs can represent 40%-60% of TC.
When negotiating, calculate the RSU refresh as part of your ask. A 5% base raise may be worth less than a $20,000 annualized refresh grant.
Script: "I'd like to discuss both a base salary adjustment and an RSU refresh grant. My current annual RSU vesting is $X - a refresh grant of $Y over 4 years would bring my total compensation to $Z."
| Grant | Value at Grant | Vesting | Annual Vest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 shares x $200/share | $40,000 | 4-year, 25%/yr | $10,000/yr |
| 400 shares x $200/share | $80,000 | 4-year, 25%/yr | $20,000/yr |
| 1,000 shares x $200/share | $200,000 | 4-year, 25%/yr | $50,000/yr |
How to Negotiate a Raise as a Software Engineer
Negotiate the whole package: base, bonus, RSU refresh, level scope, and specialization premium.
- 1
Lead With Total Comp, Not Just Base
The BLS median base is $132,270, but Glassdoor's median total pay is $150,000. Always frame the negotiation around base, bonus, and RSU refresh.
Script: I'd like to discuss my total compensation - including base, bonus, and RSU refresh. The market median for my level and specialization is $X in total comp. My current TC of $Y is $Z below that benchmark. I'm requesting an adjustment to bring my TC to $W.
- 2
Cite Your Level Benchmark
Use the level simulator to anchor your title and company type to a TC range before asking for a specific number.
Script: For a Senior Engineer (L5) at a company of this size and in this market, the TC range is $250K-$350K. My current TC of $X is $Y below the floor of that range. I'm requesting an adjustment to at least $Z.
- 3
Use the AI/ML Premium if Applicable
If your work is AI/ML, name the 20%-40% TC premium and tie it to concrete business impact.
Script: Levels.fyi's 2025 annual report confirms AI/ML engineering is now one of the highest-paid SWE tracks, commanding a 20%-40% TC premium over generalist engineers at equivalent levels. My work on [specific AI/ML project] directly contributes to this premium value.
- 4
Anchor to the Industry Switch Alternative
Use Web Search / Social Media benchmarks as the external market alternative if your current industry lags.
Script: BLS data shows that SWEs at Web Search / Social Media companies earn an average of $215,840 - $83,570 more than the national median. I prefer to stay with this organization, but I need my compensation to be competitive with the broader market.
- 5
Request an RSU Refresh, Not Just a Base Raise
At tech companies, RSU refreshes are often more negotiable than base salary increases.
Script: In addition to a base adjustment, I'd like to discuss an RSU refresh grant. My current annual vesting is $X - a refresh of $Y over 4 years would bring my total annual compensation to $Z.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers for SWE base salary, total comp, FAANG benchmarks, RSU refreshes, specialization premiums, and 2026 raise quality.
What is the average software engineer salary in 2025-2026?
The BLS OEWS May 2023 reports a national median of $132,270/year ($63.59/hour) for software developers (SOC 15-1252). [0] The mean is $138,110/year, pulled up by high-earning FAANG engineers. [0] Glassdoor's April 2025 data shows a median total pay of $150,000/year, including RSU and bonus, with a total pay range of $119K-$190K. [3] Levels.fyi 2025 reports U.S. SWE median TC grew +3.49% year-over-year. [1]
How much do FAANG software engineers earn?
Based on Glassdoor April 2025 data, Meta software engineers have a median total comp of $346,000/year, Google software engineers are at $296,000/year, Cisco at $236,000/year, and Microsoft at $219,000/year. [3] These figures include base salary, annual bonus, and RSU vesting. At the Senior Engineer (L5/E5) level specifically, TC ranges from $250K-$400K at FAANG companies. [1] [3]
What is RSU and how does it affect my total compensation?
RSU stands for Restricted Stock Units: company shares granted as compensation that vest over time, typically over four years. Glassdoor reports SWE additional pay, including RSU vesting and bonus, at $26,000-$48,000/year on top of base salary. [3] At FAANG companies, RSUs can represent 40%-60% of total TC. When negotiating a raise, include RSU refresh grants in your ask because they are often more flexible than base salary. [1] [3]
Which software engineering specialization pays the most?
Based on Stack Overflow 2024 and Levels.fyi 2025 data, the highest-paid tracks are AI / ML Engineer ($160K-$250K+ base, 20%-40% TC premium), Site Reliability Engineer ($155K-$230K), Cloud Infrastructure Engineer ($150K-$220K), Security Engineer ($145K-$210K), and Data Engineer ($140K-$200K). [1] [2] Levels.fyi 2025 confirms AI/ML has become one of the largest and highest-paid SWE tracks in 2025. [1]
What is the job outlook for software engineers?
BLS OEWS May 2023 estimates 1,656,880 software developers nationally. [0] The broader software developer outlook remains strong, but Stack Overflow 2024 notes that U.S. full-time employment dropped from 69% to 65%, suggesting more contract, freelance, and remote arrangements. [2] Levels.fyi 2025 reports return-to-office roles increased by 12% year-over-year. [1]
How much more do California SWEs earn than other states?
California software developers earn approximately $166,250/year on average - about $34,000 more than the national median of $132,270. [0] Washington state is close behind at approximately $163,840/year. [0] California's state income tax and Bay Area housing costs can reduce real purchasing power, so Austin and Seattle may offer stronger after-cost compensation for some engineers. [0] [2]
Is a 3% raise good for a software engineer?
With CPI at 3.8% in April 2026, a 3% raise is a real pay cut of about -0.8%. Levels.fyi 2025 reports U.S. SWE median TC grew +3.49% year-over-year, meaning the market itself is moving at roughly that pace. [1] A good 2026 SWE raise should beat inflation, match or exceed the 3.49% TC growth rate, include an RSU refresh, and reflect specialization premiums such as AI/ML's 20%-40% TC premium. [1] [2] [3]
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Data Sources
Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2023; Levels.fyi 2025; Stack Overflow Dev Survey 2024; Glassdoor Apr 2025.
Employment 1,656,880; mean $138,110/year; P10 $77,020; P25 $101,200; P50 $132,270; P75 $167,540; P90 $208,620; industry, state, and hourly benchmarks.
Median TC growth +3.49%, AI/ML compensation narrative, RTO trend, and level-based SWE total compensation ranges.
Developer role compensation context, SRE/cloud role pay signals, and U.S. full-time employment trend changes.
Median total pay $150,000/year, additional pay $26K-$48K, and company benchmarks for Google, Meta, Microsoft, Cisco, and Oracle.