Software Development Engineer Salary in 2024

💰 The median Software Development Engineer Salary in 2024 is USD 169,000

✏️ This salary info is based on 334 individual salaries reported during 2024

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Salary details

The average Software Development Engineer salary lies between USD 124,000 and USD 223,600 globally. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Job title
Software Development Engineer
Experience
all levels
Region
global/worldwide
Salary year
2024
Sample size
334
Top 10%
$ 288,400
Top 25%
$ 223,600
Median
$ 169,000
Bottom 25%
$ 124,000
Bottom 10%
$ 99,500

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated:

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Software Development Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Software Development Engineer job listings are Engineering, Python and Computer Science. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Engineering | 360 jobs Python | 354 jobs Computer Science | 340 jobs Machine Learning | 334 jobs Testing | 244 jobs Architecture | 216 jobs Java | 215 jobs Agile | 176 jobs AWS | 173 jobs Research | 143 jobs Security | 141 jobs APIs | 123 jobs SQL | 108 jobs Kubernetes | 105 jobs Distributed Systems | 102 jobs Linux | 100 jobs Azure | 100 jobs Docker | 98 jobs Spark | 93 jobs Pipelines | 92 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Software Development Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Software Development Engineer job listings are Career development, Equity / stock options and Startup environment. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 393 jobs Equity / stock options | 190 jobs Startup environment | 156 jobs Health care | 152 jobs Competitive pay | 110 jobs Medical leave | 108 jobs Team events | 106 jobs Flex hours | 88 jobs Insurance | 80 jobs Salary bonus | 66 jobs Parental leave | 64 jobs Flex vacation | 58 jobs Relocation support | 40 jobs 401(k) matching | 31 jobs Conferences | 29 jobs Flexible spending account | 26 jobs Transparency | 23 jobs Signing bonus | 22 jobs Wellness | 14 jobs Gear | 12 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Software Development Engineer in AI/ML/Data Science typically comprises several components. The fixed base salary is the primary component, often constituting 60-80% of the total compensation package. Bonuses, which can be performance-based or company-wide, usually account for 10-20%. Additional remuneration may include stock options, especially in tech companies, which can significantly increase total compensation. The composition can vary by region, industry, and company size. For instance, tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York may offer higher base salaries and stock options, while smaller companies might offer more in bonuses to attract talent.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from this position, consider the following steps:

  • Skill Enhancement: Continuously update your skills in emerging AI/ML technologies and tools.
  • Advanced Education: Pursue a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field to open up higher-paying opportunities.
  • Leadership Roles: Transition into managerial or lead roles, which typically offer higher salaries.
  • Industry Switch: Consider moving to industries with higher pay scales, such as finance or healthcare.
  • Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities.

Educational Requirements

Most positions require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles involving complex algorithm development or research. These advanced degrees provide a deeper understanding of machine learning models, data analysis, and statistical methods.

Helpful Certifications

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile:

  • Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
  • AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
  • Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

These certifications demonstrate expertise in specific platforms and tools, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Required Experience

Typically, 3-5 years of experience in software development or a related field is required. Experience in AI/ML projects, data analysis, and familiarity with programming languages like Python, R, or Java is crucial. Experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch is also highly valued.

Related salaries

Software Development Engineer @ $ 125,846 (global) - Entry-level / Junior Details
Software Development Engineer @ $ 147,500 (global) - Mid-level / Intermediate Details
Software Development Engineer @ $ 184,650 (global) - Senior-level / Expert Details
Software Development Engineer @ $ 150,700 (United States) - Mid-level / Intermediate Details
Software Development Engineer @ $ 185,200 (United States) - Senior-level / Expert Details
Software Development Engineer @ $ 173,520 (United States) Details
Software Development Engineer @ $ 125,846 (United States) - Entry-level / Junior Details
Software Development Engineer @ $ 112,400 (Canada) - Mid-level / Intermediate Details
Software Development Engineer @ $ 115,150 (Canada) Details

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