Software Developer Salary in North Carolina
Based on 58K+ workers in North Carolina
Median Annual Salary (NC)
$134,710
$64.76/hr
vs National Average
$127,401
+5.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$84K – $179K
58K employed in North Carolina
Software Developer salary in North Carolina averages $133,242 annually, positioning the state slightly ahead of national trends. With approximately 1,356 software developers employed across North Carolina, the state offers competitive compensation that exceeds the national average by 2%, reflecting robust demand for technical talent in the region.
Several factors influence Software Developer salary in North Carolina, including experience level, specific technical skills, and geographic location within the state. Companies in tech hubs command different wage scales than rural areas, while specializations in high-demand technologies like cloud computing and machine learning often lead to higher compensation packages. Industry sector and company size also play significant roles in determining individual earning potential.
Salary Distribution — Software Developer in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $83,840 |
| 25th percentile | $104,530 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $134,710 |
| 75th percentile | $164,750 |
| 90th percentile | $179,310 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Developer in North Carolina
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in North Carolina — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fidelity Technology Group, LLC d/b/a Fidelity Investments | 442 | $125,119 |
| 2 | Lowe's Companies, Inc. | 129 | $133,536 |
| 3 | RANDSTAD DIGITAL, LLC | 93 | $130,000 |
| 4 | BANK OF AMERICA N.A. | 56 | $160,847 |
| 5 | COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP, INC | 53 | $120,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Developer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in North Carolina
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in North Carolina.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $91,707 | 210 |
| Level II | Qualified | $114,000 | 1K |
| Level III | Experienced | $136,000 | 831 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $161,741 | 567 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Developer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Developers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Developers in North Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $166,400 | 347K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $147,010 | 18K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $139,270 | 810 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $136,610 | 3K |
| Manufacturing | $136,330 | 136K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Developer in North Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $126,520 |
| 2023 | $130,620 |
| 2024 | $131,000 |
| 2025 | $134,710 |
| 2026 (projected) | $138,525 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | North Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $126,520 | $111,597 |
| 2023 | $130,620 | $118,750 |
| 2024 | $131,000 | $121,352 |
| 2025 | $134,710 | $127,401 |
| 2026 (projected) | $138,525 | $131,009 |
Software Developer Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $104,530 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $134,710 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $164,750 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $179,310 |
Software Developer Salary in Other States
Related Software Developer Salaries in North Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in North Carolina compare to Software Developer ($134,710 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Developer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in NC | $172,860 | +28.3% | $83.11/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in NC | $134,670 | -0.0% | $64.75/hr |
| Database Administrator in NC | $134,630 | -0.1% | $64.73/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in NC | $131,540 | -2.4% | $63.24/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in NC | $128,370 | -4.7% | $61.72/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in NC | $127,320 | -5.5% | $61.21/hr |
| Data Scientist in NC | $119,090 | -11.6% | $57.25/hr |
| Statistician in NC | $115,690 | -14.1% | $55.62/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in NC | $106,850 | -20.7% | $51.37/hr |
| Software Engineer in NC | $104,850 | -22.2% | $50.41/hr |
| Data Analyst in NC | $101,850 | -24.4% | $48.97/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in NC | $97,990 | -27.3% | $47.11/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software developers make in North Carolina?
- The median salary for software developers in North Carolina is $133,242 per year, which breaks down to approximately $64 per hour. This salary is about 2.0% higher than the national average for the same position.
What is the salary range for software developers in North Carolina?
- Software developer salaries in North Carolina range up to $135,408 per year at the high end. The median salary of $133,242 reflects typical compensation for developers in the state.
How does North Carolina software developer pay compare to the US average?
- North Carolina software developers earn 2.0% more than the national average, with a median salary of $133,242 annually. This positions the state as a competitive market for software development careers.
How many software developers work in North Carolina?
- There are approximately 1,356 software developers currently employed in North Carolina. This represents the total workforce in the state for this profession.