Which state pays the most for software engineers?

Rank 1 - 10
11 - 20
21 - 30
31 - 40
41 - 51

Table of Contents Show

1. Washington
2. California
4. New York
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Software Engineers to find work opportunities?
7. Delaware
8. Massachusetts
10. Virginia
11. Pennsylvania
12. Rhode Island
15. New Hampshire
16. District of Columbia
17. Maryland
19. North Carolina
20. North Dakota
Software Engineer Jobs In The Top 10 States
21. New Jersey
22. Montana
23. Connecticut
24. Minnesota
27. Michigan
28. Arkansas
29. Illinois
30. Louisiana
31. Indiana
32. West Virginia
33. Colorado
34. Georgia
37. New Mexico
38. Wisconsin
39. Nebraska
40. Tennessee
41. Wyoming
42. Kentucky
43. South Carolina
44. South Dakota
45. Alabama
46. Florida
48. Mississippi
50. Missouri
51. Oklahoma
How We Determined The Best States To Be A Software Engineer
Detailed List Of The Best States For A Software Engineer
Highest paying states for Software Engineers
What city pays the most for software engineers?
Who pays the most software engineer?

We decided to bring you a list of the best states for jobs for software engineers, considering how big the profession is in the United States. Software engineer positions are available in every area, but not all places are the same -- they do not offer the same wages, benefits, time off, etc. As software engineers are popular in the U.S., we wanted to bring you a list of the best states for software engineers. In case you are trying to decide where to start your career as a software engineer, or if you are considering moving to a different city or state, we got you covered.

Computer science and electrical engineering are the most common majors for people with jobs as software engineers. If you are currently seeking employment as a software engineer, you can find open job positions using Zippia's search tools.

Here are the best states for Software Engineers in 2022:

1. Washington

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	6,948
Average Annual Salary:	$112,080
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$81,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$153,000
Location Quotient:	2.42 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

2. California

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	19,681
Average Annual Salary:	$115,477
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$83,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$160,000
Location Quotient:	1.71 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

3. Oregon

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	2,587
Average Annual Salary:	$91,473
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$66,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$125,000
Location Quotient:	1.59 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

4. New York

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	5,058
Average Annual Salary:	$92,846
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$70,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$121,000
Location Quotient:	1 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

5. Nevada

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	638
Average Annual Salary:	$92,651
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$66,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$128,000
Location Quotient:	0.77 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Software Engineers to find work opportunities?

Dr. Ted Junseok Song

Associate Professor of Engineering, John Brown University

Due to COVID-19, people have more choices on location as more companies allow their employees to work remotely.Show more

6. Arizona

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	2,041
Average Annual Salary:	$83,602
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$61,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$113,000
Location Quotient:	0.89 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

7. Delaware

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	650
Average Annual Salary:	$82,336
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$62,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$108,000
Location Quotient:	1.32 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

8. Massachusetts

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	4,544
Average Annual Salary:	$83,582
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$64,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$108,000
Location Quotient:	1.26 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

9. Vermont

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	418
Average Annual Salary:	$80,333
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$62,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$103,000
Location Quotient:	1.38 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

10. Virginia

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	5,588
Average Annual Salary:	$82,022
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$62,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$107,000
Location Quotient:	1.5 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

11. Pennsylvania

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	3,599
Average Annual Salary:	$80,444
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$61,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$105,000
Location Quotient:	0.79 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

12. Rhode Island

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	704
Average Annual Salary:	$78,726
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$60,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$102,000
Location Quotient:	1.47 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

13. Idaho

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	631
Average Annual Salary:	$78,961
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$57,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$108,000
Location Quotient:	0.98 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

14. Texas

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	7,575
Average Annual Salary:	$79,419
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$59,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$106,000
Location Quotient:	0.95 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

15. New Hampshire

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	672
Average Annual Salary:	$79,926
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$61,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$103,000
Location Quotient:	0.98 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

16. District of Columbia

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	1,104
Average Annual Salary:	$84,121
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$63,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$110,000
Location Quotient:	1.67 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

17. Maryland

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	3,611
Average Annual Salary:	$82,645
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$62,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$108,000
Location Quotient:	1.45 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

18. Utah

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	1,777
Average Annual Salary:	$77,120
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$56,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$105,000
Location Quotient:	1.41 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

19. North Carolina

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	3,326
Average Annual Salary:	$78,301
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$59,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$102,000
Location Quotient:	0.88 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

20. North Dakota

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	291
Average Annual Salary:	$77,541
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$59,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$100,000
Location Quotient:	0.79 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

Software Engineer Jobs In The Top 10 States

21. New Jersey

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	3,160
Average Annual Salary:	$82,074
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$62,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$107,000
Location Quotient:	1.01 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

22. Montana

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	479
Average Annual Salary:	$77,348
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$57,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$104,000
Location Quotient:	1.05 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

23. Connecticut

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	1,114
Average Annual Salary:	$80,498
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$61,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$105,000
Location Quotient:	0.85 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

24. Minnesota

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	2,314
Average Annual Salary:	$76,300
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$58,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$98,000
Location Quotient:	0.88 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

25. Ohio

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	2,509
Average Annual Salary:	$74,727
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$57,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$97,000
Location Quotient:	0.62 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

26. Maine

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	385
Average Annual Salary:	$75,766
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$59,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$97,000
Location Quotient:	0.74 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

27. Michigan

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	2,254
Average Annual Salary:	$74,406
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$57,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$96,000
Location Quotient:	0.74 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

28. Arkansas

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	750
Average Annual Salary:	$73,164
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$55,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$96,000
Location Quotient:	0.73 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

29. Illinois

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	3,966
Average Annual Salary:	$75,772
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$58,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$98,000
Location Quotient:	0.84 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

30. Louisiana

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	626
Average Annual Salary:	$76,258
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$57,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$101,000
Location Quotient:	0.5 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

31. Indiana

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	1,955
Average Annual Salary:	$72,602
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$55,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$94,000
Location Quotient:	0.76 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

32. West Virginia

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	305
Average Annual Salary:	$72,788
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$55,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$95,000
Location Quotient:	0.51 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

33. Colorado

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	2,663
Average Annual Salary:	$72,814
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$54,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$97,000
Location Quotient:	1.14 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

34. Georgia

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	2,999
Average Annual Salary:	$74,244
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$56,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$97,000
Location Quotient:	0.74 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

35. Iowa

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	897
Average Annual Salary:	$72,892
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$55,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$95,000
Location Quotient:	0.63 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

36. Alaska

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	219
Average Annual Salary:	$75,692
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$59,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$96,000
Location Quotient:	0.67 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

37. New Mexico

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	558
Average Annual Salary:	$72,743
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$54,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$97,000
Location Quotient:	0.72 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

38. Wisconsin

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	1,313
Average Annual Salary:	$72,793
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$56,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$94,000
Location Quotient:	0.6 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

39. Nebraska

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	683
Average Annual Salary:	$71,346
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$54,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$93,000
Location Quotient:	0.78 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

40. Tennessee

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	1,074
Average Annual Salary:	$71,046
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$54,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$93,000
Location Quotient:	0.46 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

41. Wyoming

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	237
Average Annual Salary:	$68,674
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$51,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$91,000
Location Quotient:	1.01 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

42. Kentucky

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	773
Average Annual Salary:	$71,499
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$54,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$93,000
Location Quotient:	0.53 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

43. South Carolina

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	725
Average Annual Salary:	$72,455
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$55,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$94,000
Location Quotient:	0.41 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

44. South Dakota

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	286
Average Annual Salary:	$69,944
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$53,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$91,000
Location Quotient:	0.68 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

45. Alabama

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	1,235
Average Annual Salary:	$69,250
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$52,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$90,000
Location Quotient:	0.71 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

46. Florida

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	4,247
Average Annual Salary:	$70,541
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$52,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$95,000
Location Quotient:	0.69 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

47. Kansas

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	847
Average Annual Salary:	$69,300
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$52,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$91,000
Location Quotient:	0.71 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

48. Mississippi

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	336
Average Annual Salary:	$70,644
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$53,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$92,000
Location Quotient:	0.4 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

49. Hawaii

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	230
Average Annual Salary:	$66,259
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$52,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$83,000
Location Quotient:	0.7 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

50. Missouri

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	1,422
Average Annual Salary:	$68,403
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$52,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$89,000
Location Quotient:	0.62 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

51. Oklahoma

Total Software Engineer Jobs:	491
Average Annual Salary:	$68,061
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:	$51,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:	$89,000
Location Quotient:	0.4 Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

How We Determined The Best States To Be A Software Engineer

You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.

Detailed List Of The Best States For A Software Engineer

Highest paying states for Software Engineers

What city pays the most for software engineers?

Their cities with the highest adjusted median salaries for software developers included:.

Seattle, WA..

Raleigh, NC..

Austin, TX..

Phoenix, AZ..

Salt Lake City, UT..

Atlanta, GA..

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX..

Houston, TX..

Who pays the most software engineer?

Top-paying companies for software engineers are Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon. Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon are the four top-paying tech companies for software engineers, according to a survey of over 1,000 engineers. The average salary for a software engineer at these companies is $81,000 per year.