Software Engineer Salary in North Carolina
Based on 15K+ workers in North Carolina
Median Annual Salary (NC)
$104,850
$50.41/hr
vs National Average
$106,671
-1.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$39K – $176K
15K employed in North Carolina
Salary Distribution — Software Engineer in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,190 |
| 25th percentile | $71,970 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $104,850 |
| 75th percentile | $140,920 |
| 90th percentile | $175,660 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Engineer 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 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 57 | $102,669 |
| 2 | DB Global Technology, Inc. | 44 | $122,107 |
| 3 | RANDSTAD DIGITAL, LLC | 10 | $109,000 |
| 4 | NTT DATA Americas, Inc. | 10 | $128,908 |
| 5 | COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP, INC | 8 | $108,500 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Engineer 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 | $80,000 | 15 |
| Level II | Qualified | $92,310 | 166 |
| Level III | Experienced | $112,500 | 137 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $132,142 | 58 |
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $96,140 |
| 2023 | $83,840 |
| 2024 | $106,240 |
| 2025 | $104,850 |
| 2026 (projected) | $104,850 |
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 | $96,140 | $89,712 |
| 2023 | $83,840 | $97,924 |
| 2024 | $106,240 | $101,746 |
| 2025 | $104,850 | $106,671 |
| 2026 (projected) | $104,850 | $106,671 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $71,970 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $104,850 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $140,920 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $175,660 |
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Software Engineer Salaries in North Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in North Carolina compare to Software Engineer ($104,850 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in NC | $172,860 | +64.9% | $83.11/hr |
| Software Developer in NC | $134,710 | +28.5% | $64.76/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in NC | $134,670 | +28.4% | $64.75/hr |
| Database Administrator in NC | $134,630 | +28.4% | $64.73/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in NC | $131,540 | +25.5% | $63.24/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in NC | $128,370 | +22.4% | $61.72/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in NC | $127,320 | +21.4% | $61.21/hr |
| Data Scientist in NC | $119,090 | +13.6% | $57.25/hr |
| Statistician in NC | $115,690 | +10.3% | $55.62/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in NC | $106,850 | +1.9% | $51.37/hr |
| Data Analyst in NC | $101,850 | -2.9% | $48.97/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in NC | $97,990 | -6.5% | $47.11/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software engineers make in North Carolina?
- The median salary for software engineers in North Carolina is $108,410 per year, or approximately $52 per hour. This is 3.4% below the national average, making it a competitive but slightly lower-paying market compared to other states.
What is the salary range for software engineers in NC?
- Software engineers in North Carolina earn up to $116,262 per year at the high end of the salary range. The median of $108,410 provides a good benchmark for typical compensation in the state.
Is North Carolina a good market for software engineer salaries?
- North Carolina offers a median software engineer salary of $108,410 annually, which is slightly below the national average by 3.4%. While not the highest-paying state, it remains a solid market with reasonable compensation for the region.
How many software engineers work in North Carolina?
- There are approximately 123 software engineers currently employed in North Carolina. This reflects the state's tech employment landscape and job market availability in the field.