According to the Stack Overflow Survey, the average software engineer salary has increased by 12.5-28.7%, depending on the role. Full-stack developers command the pay of $72,509 annually, back-end engineers earn $79,742 yearly, and front-end developers make $62,015. While the USA and Western Europe have among the highest rates globally, top-tier talent is not concentrated in a single place. Qubit Labs’ experience shows that tech businesses seeking competitive compensation without quality trade-offs work with developers from Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Identifying top talent is only the first step; understanding the cost of development services is what drives smart business decisions and promotes sustainable expansion.
To support your company’s growth and innovation and help you find the best hiring locations, we leverage data from leading platforms, including PayScale, Upwork, Indeed, SalaryExpert, Glassdoor, and Stack Overflow, to deliver reliable, country-specific salary benchmarks in a clear format. We studied developers’ rates and salaries in the USA, UK, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Netherlands, Australia, and Portugal. We compared them with the costs of IT outsourcing in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia to help you answer the question: “How much do software engineers make?”
Let us consider average software engineer wages worldwide to identify where software developers are most highly compensated, helping you pinpoint the best hiring locations and align your compensation with local and global standards.
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paying countries for software developers are the USA, Switzerland, and Australia. The average computer software engineer salary there is $120,000+.
- The most affordable countries are Brazil, with an average software engineer salary of $32,400, and Ukraine, with an average pay of $28,800.
- English-friendly countries are all in Western and Eastern Europe.
- Perfect time zone alignment with the US: Brazil and Argentina both observe standard working hours that overlap significantly with U.S. business hours.
- Tax considerations: Bulgaria has a 10% corporate income tax rate, while Poland has a 19% rate.
The Average Software Engineer Salary Around the World in 2026
According to ZipRecruiter, the average software engineer salary in the US in 2026 is $147,524, corresponding to an hourly rate of $70.92. The software engineer salary per month in the USA is $12,293. How much does a software engineer make per year in Canada? Developers make $117,000 there.
In contrast, we see that in Eastern Europe, average salaries range from $28,800 to $42,000 annually, making it one of the most cost-effective regions for hiring software developers. Salaries in Western Europe range from $73,000 to $120,000 annually. In Asia, the software engineer average salary ranges from $30,000 to $98,500. In the Middle East, the average salary for a software engineer is $66,250 in Saudi Arabia and $84,000 in Israel.
Let’s have a closer look at software developers’ salaries worldwide and how they vary by country:
| Country | Software Developer Average Salary (Annual) |
|---|---|
| USA | $147,524 |
| Australia | $134,000 |
| Switzerland | $120,000 |
| Denmark | $93,600 |
| Finland | $90,000 |
| Israel | $84,000 |
| Netherlands | $80,000 |
| UK | $75,000 |
| Norway | $75,000 |
| Sweden | $73,000 |
| Spain | $69,000 |
| Portugal | $48,000 |
| Argentina | $42,000 |
| Romania | $42,000 |
| Poland | $40,800 |
| Bulgaria | $36,000 |
| Malaysia | $36,000 |
| Vietnam | $33,600 |
| Brazil | $32,400 |
| Ukraine | $28,800 |
* Salary data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Salary Outlook
Median vs Average Salary: What’s the Difference?
Both terms describe typical pay, but an average software developer salary is the sum of salaries divided by the number of developers. For instance, if we consider an average software engineer salary in Germany in 2026, as well as salaries in the UK and the Netherlands, and the number of developers, we can derive the average software engineer salary in Europe.
A median salary is the midpoint of a dataset, where 50% of individuals earn more and 50% earn less. For instance, to calculate the median developer salary, list all salaries from lowest to highest and identify the midpoint. If there is an even number of salaries, take the average of the two middle numbers. The median salary isn’t inflated by senior or executive compensation, providing a more realistic market benchmark.
The Highest-Paying Countries for Software Engineers in 2026
The IT sector is a rapidly growing field worldwide, driving demand for expert software engineers. Qubit Labs researched salary aggregators, including SalaryExpert, Glassdoor, and Payscale, to provide you with a comprehensive IT salary overview.
So now, we would like to show the countries with the highest software engineer salaries in 2026:
- USA – $147,524
- Australia – $134,000
- Switzerland – $120,000
- Canada – $117,000
- Singapore – $98,500
- Denmark – $93,600
- Finland – $90,000
- Netherlands – $80,000
- UK – $75,000
- Norway – $75,000
Thus, the USA has the highest software engineer salary in the world. Australia comes second, with an average pay for a software engineer of $134,000. Switzerland and Canada provide an average salary of a software engineer of over $100,000 annually. Denmark, the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, and Finland have the highest salaries in Western Europe, ranging from $75,000 to $93,600.
Average Software Engineer Salary by Country and Region
The average salary of a software engineer varies significantly by country. It depends on the maturity of the tech ecosystem, foreign investment, the presence of global tech giants, the cost of living, the taxation system, and the overall supply and demand for skilled talent in the local labor market.
We analyzed the average salary for a software engineer by region and country and provided realistic salary estimates that reflect what employees actually earn. This clear comparison of regional salaries will facilitate salary benchmarking and support your strategic hiring. For detailed salary insights, you can check out our latest salary report, covering 34 countries and 43 technologies.
Average Software Engineer Salary in the United States
The USA is home to numerous tech hubs, with San Francisco, New York City, and Austin regarded as the leading cities. The U.S. tech talent market is highly competitive. By 2034, demand for tech professionals is expected to rise, with an estimated 7.1 million job openings in the technology sector. An entry-level software engineer salary in the USA is ~$90,778. The average salary for a software engineer in the US is $147,524, and the average senior software engineer salary is $155,678.
The cities with the highest software engineer salary in the US are San Jose ($164,360), New York ($164,348), and Seattle ($150,521).
Software Engineer Salary in Canada
The ICT sector in Canada is projected to reach USD 206.47 billion by 2031. This growth is fueled by ongoing federal funding for hyperscaler data center buildouts, rapid enterprise digitization, and artificial intelligence. Canada has a stable tech ecosystem and a vast pool of skilled developers, especially proficient in cloud and AI.
How much does a software engineer make in Canada? Junior developers earn $95,825, mid-level engineers make $117,000, and senior software engineers make $145,000. Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa are the highest-paying cities, offering an IT software engineer salary of over $130,000.
Software Engineer Salary in Australia
The ICT market in Australia is driven by rising digital transformation needs, e-commerce growth, the 5G rollout, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as cloud computing, big data, and automation. The most in-demand skills involve cybersecurity, cloud, AI/ML, big data, and DevOps.
How much does a software engineer earn in Australia? The average base salary is $134,000. Entry-level specialists make $76,319, whereas their senior colleagues earn $152,534. The highest-paying cities are Sydney ($120,732), Melbourne ($112,944), and Canberra ($105,443).
Software Developer Salary in Western Europe
Western Europe has a strong tech ecosystem, with numerous unicorns driving innovation across sectors. France boasts many startups, accounting for 14.5% of total funding across Europe, and Germany has a well-developed enterprise software market and a strong cloud sector. The top languages among software developers in the region are Python, JavaScript, Rust, Go, and Java; based on our experience, the average salary for a software engineer in the region is $84,250.
| Country | Software Engineer Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | $120,000 |
| Denmark | $93,600 |
| Finland | $90,000 |
| Germany | $88,500 |
| Netherlands | $80,000 |
| UK | $75,000 |
| Norway | $80,000 |
| UK | $75,000 |
| Norway | $75,000 |
| Sweden | $73,000 |
* Salary data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Qubit Labs’ Insights: Western Europe has a stable economy and thriving industries focused on automation, process optimization, and robust security. Therefore, the talent war for DevOps, cybersecurity, and AI/ML talent will continue to drive average software developer salaries higher.
Average Software Engineer Salary in Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is known for its flourishing IT outsourcing sector, with approximately 77% of tech businesses hiring talent there, according to our experience. This region has a well-developed startup ecosystem, competitive rates, strong cybersecurity measures, and streamlined AI adoption. Clutch shows that 4,999 companies provide software development services in Eastern Europe, serving various industries. Top computer programming languages include Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, C#, Java, and PHP; our hiring expertise shows that the average annual pay is $36,000, or $3,000 of a software engineer salary in Europe per month.
| Country | Software Engineer Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Romania | $42,000 |
| Poland | $40,800 |
| Bulgaria | $36,000 |
| Ukraine | $28,800 |
| Moldova | $27,600 |
* Salary data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Qubit Labs’ Insights: In 2026, this region remains a hotspot for remote collaboration, driven by skilled developers with niche expertise (e.g., AI/ML, SAP, cloud, and cybersecurity) and high English proficiency. Poland remains the most popular destination for large enterprises and SMEs seeking to recruit top tech talent. Romania now commands the highest salaries in the region, with rates increasing by over 10% in the last few years. Additionally, Java developer salaries and wages for .NET developers also grew significantly, reflecting high demand for these professionals.
Software Engineer Salary in Asia
Powered by vast markets, cost-efficient scalability, and rapid commercialization, Asia’s tech sector is fueling innovation in AI, healthcare, consumer technology, and deep tech. The IT compensation landscape reflects the region’s disparities in the cost of living, demand, and economic conditions. Typically, the average software developer salary, as well as the cloud architect salary and the cybersecurity specialist salary, is higher in developed markets such as Singapore and Japan. Large labor markets such as India and the Philippines command lower wages. The top technologies are Python, Java, C#, and JavaScript; we have calculated that the average salary in the area is $33,600.
| Country | Software Engineer Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Singapore | $98,500 |
| Malaysia | $36,000 |
| Vietnam | $33,600 |
| Phillippines | $33,600 |
| Indonesia | $30,000 |
* Salary data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Qubit Labs’ Insights: Asia is no longer just a cost play. Tech businesses hire talent there for the scalability and broad specialization of the local workforce. Vietnam and Indonesia offer rapidly growing pools of mid-level talent, helping companies efficiently bridge skill gaps. Also, the competition for senior talent is intense, prompting companies to include technical mentorship, clear career growth opportunities, and flexible working hours in their retention strategies.
Software Engineer Salary in Latin America
Latin America is a global tech talent hub, known for its network of over 2.2 million developers, a strong tech education system that graduates around 500,000 STEM professionals annually, and a growing startup sector. Our research shows that the most popular technologies in the area are Python, Java, and JavaScript; the average pay for software engineers is $32,400.
| Country | Software Engineer Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Argentina | $42,000 |
| Brazil | $32,400 |
| Mexico | $28,800 |
* Salary data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Qubit Labs’ Insights: “U.S. companies choose Latin America because real-time collaboration isn’t a luxury, it’s a competitive advantage. When teams share the same time zone and cultural alignment, projects move faster, communication is sharper, and costly delays are avoided,” says Iva Kozlovska, CEO of Qubit Labs.
Software Engineer Salary in the Middle East
The Middle East is experiencing rapid digital transformation. Countries invest in national large language model initiatives, hyperscale cloud regions, and extensive artificial intelligence infrastructure. The key trends are investment in AI/ML and the development of the e-commerce sector. The top languages local software engineers are proficient in are JavaScript, Java, Python, SQL, and C#; the average software engineer salary is $66,250.
| Country | Software Engineer Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Israel | $84,000 |
| Saudi Arabia | $66,250 |
| Egypt | $27,575 |
* Salary data is based on Qubit Labs’ research, payscale.com, and salaryexpert.com
Qubit Labs’ Insights: “AI, ML, cybersecurity, and cloud experts in the Middle East are in high demand, earning up to 30% more than typical developers. Their bilingual skills in Arabic and English make them ready to collaborate seamlessly across global teams,” says Iva Kozlovska, CEO of Qubit Labs.
Region Comparison
If you are wondering, “How much money does a software engineer make?”, here is a brief regional comparison crafted by our experienced professionals. It provides insights into where to hire top tech talent and the cost.
| Region | Median Salary | Cost Savings Compared to the USA |
|---|---|---|
| USA | $147,524 | – |
| Canada | $134,000 | $13,524 or ~9% |
| Australia | $117,000 | $30,524 or ~20% |
| Western Europe | $84,250 | $63,274 or ~43% |
| Eastern Europe | $36,000 | $111,524 or ~76% |
| Latin America | $32,400 | $115,124 or ~78% |
| Asia | $33,600 | $113,924 or ~77% |
| Middle East | $66,250 | $81,274 or ~55% |
* Salary data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Thus, the USA, Canada, and Australia lead the global salary charts. In Western Europe, salaries are roughly 43% lower than in the U.S., yet remain competitive at over $84,250. The Middle East offers a median pay of $66,250, which is about 55% below U.S. levels. Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia provide highly skilled professionals at cost-effective rates, with median salaries ranging from $32,400 to $36,000. These markets are ideal for building top-tier teams without compromising on talent quality.
Software Engineer Salary by Role and Specialization
Software developer salaries are growing steadily each year. According to Kareem Osman, vice president and market director at Robert Half, the average tech salary growth in 2025 was 1.6%, down from 2.9% in 2024. According to Payscale, base salaries are expected to increase by an average of 3.5% in 2026.
Based on current trends, salaries are expected to continue rising steadily, with the most significant growth projected for an AI engineer salary. To give you an idea of global salaries for technical professionals, we have prepared a brief comparison of salaries by developer role and specialization, based on our exclusive data.
| Role | Global Average Salary Range | Global Median Pay | Talent Shortage Level | Top Hiring Regions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data / ML Engineer | $63,616-$210,251 | $120,525 | High | Poland, Ukraine |
| Back-end Engineer | $8,400-$156,000 | $54,000 | High | Brazil, Poland, and Ukraine |
| Front-end Engineer | $8,400-$132,000 | $60,000 | Medium-high | Romania and the Philippines |
| DevOps Engineer | $10,800-$180,000 | $60,000 | High | Poland, Vietnam |
| Mobile Developer | $8,400-$176,000 | $54,000 | Medium | Argentina, Vietnam |
| Full-Stack Developer | $9,600-$156,000 | $58,800 | High | Ukraine, Mexico |
* Salary data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Average Software Engineer Salary in the Best Software Engineering Cities
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco | $172,743 |
| New York City | $164,348 |
| Seattle | $150,521 |
| Boston | $136,397 |
| Austin | $126,982 |
| Melbourne | $112,944 |
| Amsterdam | $103,305 |
| Montreal | $102,437 |
| Berlin | $99,150 |
| Singapore | $98,500 |
| London | $88,465 |
| Toronto | $80,450 |
* Salary data is based on Qubit Labs’ research, ziprecruiter.com, salaryexpert.com, and indeed.com
- San Francisco ranks highest in average annual salary among cities, at $172,743.
- New York City pays software developers an average salary of about $164,348.
- In Seattle, the average software developer salary reaches $150,521 annually.
- A mid-level software programmer’s salary in Boston is $136,397.
- The average software developer salary in Austin is $126,982 yearly.
- How much money do software engineers make in Melbourne? The average salary in the city is $112,944 per annum.
- Amsterdam’s average annual pay is $103,305.
- In Montreal, the average annual salary for software developers is $102,437.
- The average salary of a software developer in Berlin is $99,150.
- The average software developer’s salary in Singapore is $98,500 yearly.
- In London, software developers earn approximately $88,465 per annum.
- In Toronto, the average annual pay is approximately $80,450.
Average Developer Salary in Eastern Europe for Comparison
Average developer salaries are indicative, as actual pay varies significantly based on experience, technical stack, seniority, and specialized programming languages. Nevertheless, even at a broad level, computer engineering salaries in Eastern Europe remain highly competitive compared to other regions. Below is the median pay by technology across Eastern Europe.
| Technology | Annual Median Salary | Software Engineer Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| JavaScript developer salary | $33,600 | $2,800 |
| Angular developer salary | $32,400 | $2,700 |
| C++ developer salary | $32,400 | $2,700 |
| Python developer salary | $36,000 | $3,000 |
| PHP developer salary | $36,000 | $3,000 |
| Node.js developer salary | $38,400 | $3,200 |
| Ruby on Rails developer salary | $33,600 | $2,800 |
| Java developer salary | $33,600 | $2,800 |
| Android developer salary | $36,000 | $3,000 |
| iOS developer salary | $30,000 | $2,500 |
* Salary data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Thus, the average salary range in the region is $30,000 to $38,400. The highest-paying technologies are Node.js, Python, PHP, and Android. Angular, C++, Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and Java developers make between $32,400 and $33,600 annually. iOS developers make $30,000 on average.
Trends in Software Engineer Salaries (Year over Year)
Qubit Labs’ experience shows that the software engineer average salary grew by 18-20% in the USA and Western Europe from 2025 to 2026. In some Eastern European countries, salaries fell by around 31%. This decline is largely linked to lower junior-level pay, currency fluctuations, and recent changes in tax regulations.
In 2026, global AI adoption and rapid cloud migration will remain central concerns for technology businesses across all industries. Tech businesses will prioritize hiring AI/ML, SAP, data science, and DevOps specialists. Demand for AI/ML roles, including non-technical ones, has increased by 7% over the last three months. Therefore, we predict that demand will continue to grow in 2026 as global companies focus on automation, forecasting, and personalization. Here are Qubit Labs’ exclusive forecasts for average software developer salaries in 2026.
- The overall direction will be upward, with an average growth of 1.6%. However, salaries for junior specialists will remain flat or decline only slightly.
- IT salaries in the USA and Western Europe will remain among the highest globally, thereby increasing compensation for local IT workers. However, remote work opportunities help companies tap into more cost-effective talent markets and slightly increase local pay.
- The trend of skill-based hiring will persist. Employers will value skills over titles, emphasizing practical experience, demonstrated competencies, and adaptability to evolving technologies.
What Factors Influence Software Engineer Salaries?
Our expertise shows that the tech stack, the cost of living, industry, and advanced expertise influence the average salary of a software engineer. Here are our insights:
- Location determines the size of the talent pool, the most popular technologies, the cost of living, and, accordingly, the salary range. The USA and Western European countries, along with Australia, Canada, and Singapore, command the highest salaries for software developers. Whereas in Eastern Europe, the wages are ~60-70% lower than in the USA.
- Engineers with AI/ML, cloud, and cybersecurity expertise typically earn 15-30% higher than software developers with general tech stacks.
- Fintech, edtech, e-commerce, and manufacturing offer the highest salaries due to the fast-paced nature of these industries and the significant value developers bring to driving innovation and business growth.
An average software engineer salary isn’t the final cost of hiring software developers. A typical salary breakdown looks as follows:
| Criterion | USA | Eastern Europe |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $147,524 | $36,000 |
| Employer taxes & social contributions (25%) | $36,881 | $9,000 |
| Benefits and insurance (40%) | $59,010 | $14,400 |
| Recruitment & onboarding (20%) | $29,505 | $7,200 |
| Equipment & software (3%) | $4,426 | $1,080 |
| The final price tag | $277,346 | $67,680 |
Thus, the total cost of hiring a software developer in Eastern Europe is ~76% lower than in the USA. These cost savings allow you to expand your team significantly or allocate resources to other strategic initiatives.
Our experience:
A U.S.-based shipping and logistics company established a dedicated development team of over five professionals in Eastern Europe after an unsuccessful offshoring experience in India. By making this move, the client not only achieved significant savings on developer salaries but also attracted a diverse pool of skilled engineers, thereby enhancing platform functionality and accelerating the delivery of new features.
Summing up: How to Use Salary Benchmarks
Thus, in 2026, an average salary for a software engineer will continue to increase, driven by intense demand for AI/ML, cloud, and cybersecurity skills. The USA, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe remain the highest-paying regions for software developers, with average annual earnings exceeding $100,000. Meanwhile, Eastern Europe and Latin America offer highly cost-efficient talent markets, with average salaries of $32,400 and $36,000, respectively. In Asia, the average stands at $33,600, while in the Middle East, it reaches $66,250.
To choose the right hiring location strategy, accurately estimate cost savings, and strategically target in-demand skills, leverage our compensation benchmarking guide and exclusive insights backed by more than nine years of hands-on experience. If you need an effective and custom hiring strategy, schedule a free consultation call with us. Let’s discuss your hiring needs and build your high-performing remote team today.
