Software Developer Salary in Washington
Based on 107K+ workers in Washington
Median Annual Salary (WA)
$166,540
$80.07/hr
vs National Average
$127,401
+30.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$97K – $255K
107K employed in Washington
Software developers in Washington earn a median salary of $177,384 per year, significantly outpacing the national average by 36 percent. With approximately 2,727 workers employed in this field across the state, Washington has established itself as a major tech hub offering competitive compensation packages that attract talent from across the country.
Several factors influence software developer salary in Washington, including experience level, specialization, and employer size. The state's thriving tech industry, proximity to major companies, and high cost of living contribute to elevated wage standards. Educational credentials, programming language expertise, and whether a developer works for a startup or established corporation also play important roles in determining individual compensation within the region.
Salary Distribution — Software Developer in Washington
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $96,810 |
| 25th percentile | $132,290 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $166,540 |
| 75th percentile | $211,860 |
| 90th percentile | $255,350 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Developer in Washington
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Washington — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon.com Services LLC | 1K | $158,300 |
| 2 | Microsoft Corporation | 1K | $181,000 |
| 3 | Meta Platforms, Inc | 342 | $209,993 |
| 4 | Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc. | 317 | $154,400 |
| 5 | Google LLC | 271 | $174,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Developer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Washington
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Washington.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $130,800 | 752 |
| Level II | Qualified | $160,180 | 3K |
| Level III | Experienced | $190,606 | 2K |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $220,000 | 961 |
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 Washington 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 Washington vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Washington) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $151,930 |
| 2023 | $162,390 |
| 2024 | $166,910 |
| 2025 | $166,540 |
| 2026 (projected) | $166,540 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Washington Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $151,930 | $111,597 |
| 2023 | $162,390 | $118,750 |
| 2024 | $166,910 | $121,352 |
| 2025 | $166,540 | $127,401 |
| 2026 (projected) | $166,540 | $127,401 |
Software Developer Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $132,290 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $166,540 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $211,860 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $255,350 |
Software Developer Salary in Other States
Related Software Developer Salaries in Washington
How other high-demand occupations in Washington compare to Software Developer ($166,540 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Developer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in WA | $209,370 | +25.7% | $100.66/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in WA | $202,400 | +21.5% | $97.31/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in WA | $169,120 | +1.5% | $81.31/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in WA | $168,070 | +0.9% | $80.80/hr |
| Data Scientist in WA | $163,350 | -1.9% | $78.53/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in WA | $154,940 | -7.0% | $74.49/hr |
| Multimedia Artist and Animator in WA | $133,480 | -19.9% | $64.17/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in WA | $130,480 | -21.7% | $62.73/hr |
| Web Developer in WA | $130,440 | -21.7% | $62.71/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in WA | $129,410 | -22.3% | $62.22/hr |
| Software Engineer in WA | $128,940 | -22.6% | $61.99/hr |
| Database Administrator in WA | $128,760 | -22.7% | $61.90/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software developers make in Washington?
- Software developers in Washington earn a median salary of $177,384 per year, or approximately $85 per hour. This is significantly higher than the national average, representing a 35.8% premium for developers working in the state.
What is the salary range for software developers in Washington?
- The salary range for software developers in Washington extends up to $181,562 annually. The median salary of $177,384 falls near the upper end of the documented range, indicating competitive compensation throughout the state.
How many software developers are employed in Washington?
- There are currently 2,727 software developers employed in Washington. This represents a substantial tech workforce in the state with strong job market presence.
Is Washington a good state for software developer salaries?
- Yes, Washington offers excellent salaries for software developers, with compensation 35.8% above the national average at $177,384 annually. This makes it one of the top-paying states for software development roles.