Published wage estimates · 293 paired metro markets · May 2025 pay
What the published data says
The BLS-linked wage data contains 293 available metropolitan observations for software developers after pairing occupational pay with BEA regional price levels. Among these metros, the middle metro median is $122,930. That is not the national median for workers: it is a descriptive median of metro medians and does not weight by employment.
In the listed areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the highest reported median ($213,110), while Midland, MI has the lowest ($83,730). These extremes may reflect industry composition, sample precision and small local labor markets. They are not a ranked list of the best places to move.
10 large employment markets for software developers
To reduce selection bias from tiny labor markets, this comparison focuses on the metro areas with the largest published occupational employment. Employment counts are rough survey estimates and can be rounded. Wage differences are not adjusted for individual taxes or housing.
| Metro area | Median annual wage | 25th–75th percentile | BEA price index |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $166,830 | $130,650–$205,970 | 112.6 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,280 | $132,800–$211,860 | 111.1 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $213,110 | $173,650–$226,080 | 110.4 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,930 | $123,720–$176,230 | 108.9 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $186,640 | $163,500–$219,670 | 115.6 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $133,290 | $105,660–$164,100 | 103.1 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $160,920 | $127,530–$191,540 | 113.6 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $166,090 | $131,880–$183,740 | 108.3 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $134,380 | $104,530–$167,650 | 103.6 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $132,960 | $104,640–$164,200 | 100.1 |
Where the reported median is highest
The table below shows the five highest metro medians in this paired dataset. A high wage can coincide with expensive housing. The BEA column is a regional price-level context index (U.S. = 100), not a rental asking-price index or a personal living-cost estimator.
| Metro area | Median annual wage | 25th–75th percentile | BEA price index |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $213,110 | $173,650–$226,080 | 110.4 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $186,640 | $163,500–$219,670 | 115.6 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,280 | $132,800–$211,860 | 111.1 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $166,830 | $130,650–$205,970 | 112.6 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $166,090 | $131,880–$183,740 | 108.3 |
How to use this benchmark for a real relocation
Stock grants, bonuses and seniority can change the software compensation picture dramatically. BLS survey wages are a base benchmark, not a total-compensation offer from a technology employer.
Start with the published median as a reference, then substitute the actual employer's written base pay in the RelocationMath calculator. Enter rent for the exact neighborhood and apartment you're considering, not a broad metro estimate. The decision changes when taxes, childcare, insurance, commuting or one-time moving bills differ.
What to check before accepting
- Compare the role's level, hours, benefits and variable compensation—not just its occupational code.
- Obtain a current lease or listing quote, including deposits and utility responsibilities.
- Model both effective tax assumptions independently; state and local rules can change the result.
- Use at least a 12-month budget and include the unreimbursed moving cost.