Software Engineer Salary in Maryland
Based on 19K+ workers in Maryland
Median Annual Salary (MD)
$144,680
$69.56/hr
vs National Average
$106,671
+35.6% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$70K – $185K
19K employed in Maryland
Software Engineer salary in Maryland averages $144,680 per year, positioning the state as a competitive tech hub. This median reflects strong demand across Maryland's growing technology sector, which currently employs 19,060 software engineers. The state's salary significantly outpaces the national average by 36%, reflecting both cost of living and robust job market conditions that benefit experienced professionals.
Several factors influence software engineer compensation in Maryland, including years of experience, specialized technical skills, and industry sector. Proximity to major tech corridors and established companies in the region drives competitive wages. Educational background, certifications, and specific programming expertise also play important roles in determining where individual salaries fall within the $69,910 to $185,220 range typical for the field.
Salary Distribution — Software Engineer in Maryland
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $69,910 |
| 25th percentile | $114,920 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $144,680 |
| 75th percentile | $165,730 |
| 90th percentile | $185,220 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Engineer in Maryland
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Maryland — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 17 | $124,904 |
| 2 | COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP, INC | 6 | $106,750 |
| 3 | IBM Corporation | 3 | $94,058 |
| 4 | ValueMomentum, Inc. | 3 | $126,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Maryland
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Maryland.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $87,531 | 8 |
| Level II | Qualified | $106,454 | 55 |
| Level III | Experienced | $124,904 | 24 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $150,467 | 17 |
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 Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Engineers in Maryland tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $131,760 | 27K |
| Information | $131,720 | 48K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,070 | 25K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $124,530 | 98K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $121,310 | 124K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Engineer in Maryland vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Maryland) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $127,780 |
| 2023 | $135,740 |
| 2024 | $141,540 |
| 2025 | $144,680 |
| 2026 (projected) | $147,890 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Maryland Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $127,780 | $89,712 |
| 2023 | $135,740 | $97,924 |
| 2024 | $141,540 | $101,746 |
| 2025 | $144,680 | $106,671 |
| 2026 (projected) | $147,890 | $109,037 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $114,920 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $144,680 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $165,730 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $185,220 |
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Software Engineer Salaries in Maryland
How other high-demand occupations in Maryland compare to Software Engineer ($144,680 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in MD | $171,490 | +18.5% | $82.45/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in MD | $159,460 | +10.2% | $76.66/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in MD | $152,730 | +5.6% | $73.43/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in MD | $145,310 | +0.4% | $69.86/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in MD | $139,640 | -3.5% | $67.13/hr |
| Software Developer in MD | $138,680 | -4.1% | $66.67/hr |
| Data Scientist in MD | $136,370 | -5.7% | $65.56/hr |
| Database Administrator in MD | $132,940 | -8.1% | $63.91/hr |
| Statistician in MD | $132,620 | -8.3% | $63.76/hr |
| Computer Programmer in MD | $125,570 | -13.2% | $60.37/hr |
| Network Administrator in MD | $118,290 | -18.2% | $56.87/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in MD | $113,610 | -21.5% | $54.62/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software engineers make in Maryland?
- Software engineers in Maryland earn a median salary of $144,680 per year, or $70 per hour. This is significantly higher than the national average, representing a 35.6% premium for the state.
What is the salary range for software engineers in Maryland?
- Software engineer salaries in Maryland range from $69,910 at the lower end to $185,220 at the higher end, reflecting differences in experience, specialization, and employer size.
Is Maryland a good state for software engineer salaries compared to the national average?
- Yes, Maryland offers software engineers 35.6% more than the national average salary. With a median of $144,680 annually, Maryland is an excellent market for software engineering careers.
How many software engineers work in Maryland?
- There are approximately 19,060 software engineers employed in Maryland, indicating a substantial and active job market for software engineering professionals in the state.