BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Software Developers in Washington

$171,040 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$82.23 per hour

▲ 15.5% above U.S. average2nd of 50 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$171,040per year
Median$166,540per year
Hourly$82.23per hour
10th – 90th percentile$96,810 – $255,350per year

Software Developers Pay Range in Washington

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$96,810
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$132,290
  • 50th Percentile — Median$166,540
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$211,860
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$255,350

Half of Software Developers in Washington earn more than $166,540. The top 10% make $255,350 or more, while entry-level workers start around $96,810.

Software Developers in Washington: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Washington ranks 2nd of 50 states for Software Developers pay, at $171,040 per year (15.5% above the U.S. average of $148,100).
  • 107,030 people work as Software Developers in Washington — 6.3% of all U.S. Software Developers jobs.
  • Location quotient 2.78: Software Developers jobs are more concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $96,810; the top 10% earn over $255,350.
  • Hourly equivalent: $82.23 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $186,770.
  • Among technology jobs in Washington, Computer and Information Research Scientists pays the most ($194,360).

Software Developers Job Market in Washington

Key factors affecting compensation

Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Software Developers here earn $171,040 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $171,040 is roughly equivalent to $136,832 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($186,770), New York ($163,820), Massachusetts ($161,730) are the closest alternatives for Software Developers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Software Developers salary in Washington?

The average Software Developers salary in Washington is $171,040 per year (median $166,540), which is 15.5% above the national average of $148,100.

How does Washington rank for Software Developers pay?

Washington ranks 2nd out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is California ($186,770/yr).

How much do entry-level Software Developers make in Washington?

The lowest-paid 10% of Software Developers in Washington earn about $96,810 per year and the 25th percentile is $132,290.

How much do Software Developers make per hour in Washington?

About $82.23 per hour, based on the $171,040 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Software Developers work in Washington?

BLS counts 107,030 Software Developers jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).

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