Software Engineer Salary in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average Software Engineer salary lies between USD 143,200 and USD 234,520 in the United States. 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.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Jan. 12, 2025

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Software Engineer roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Software Engineer job listings are Engineering, Python and Machine Learning. 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 | 8922 jobs Python | 8801 jobs Machine Learning | 7466 jobs Computer Science | 6716 jobs Architecture | 4754 jobs Java | 4370 jobs AWS | 3909 jobs Testing | 3885 jobs Security | 3717 jobs Pipelines | 3068 jobs APIs | 2929 jobs Kubernetes | 2907 jobs SQL | 2838 jobs Research | 2797 jobs Agile | 2703 jobs Azure | 2456 jobs JavaScript | 2207 jobs Docker | 2134 jobs Privacy | 2129 jobs GCP | 2125 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Software Engineer roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Software Engineer job listings are Career development, Health care and Equity / stock options. 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 | 8577 jobs Health care | 4752 jobs Equity / stock options | 4641 jobs Startup environment | 2910 jobs Competitive pay | 2724 jobs Flex hours | 2660 jobs Salary bonus | 2592 jobs Medical leave | 2489 jobs Flex vacation | 2264 jobs Insurance | 2151 jobs Parental leave | 1969 jobs Team events | 1836 jobs 401(k) matching | 1436 jobs Wellness | 1222 jobs Relocation support | 737 jobs Fertility benefits | 541 jobs Transparency | 514 jobs Unlimited paid time off | 496 jobs Home office stipend | 478 jobs Flexible spending account | 472 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Software Engineer specializing in AI/ML/Data Science typically includes a base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or equity, especially in tech companies. The base salary is the fixed component and usually constitutes the majority of the total compensation package. Performance bonuses can vary significantly based on individual and company performance, often ranging from 10% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, is more common in larger tech companies or startups and can be a significant part of the total compensation, especially in high-growth industries or regions like Silicon Valley. In smaller companies or less tech-centric regions, the base salary might be a larger proportion of the total compensation, with fewer bonuses or stock options.

Increasing Salary

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

• Specialization: Develop expertise in a niche area of AI/ML, such as natural language processing, computer vision, or reinforcement learning, which can make you more valuable to employers.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into leadership or managerial roles, such as a team lead or project manager, which often come with higher pay.
• Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest technologies and methodologies in AI/ML by attending workshops, conferences, and online courses.
• Networking: Build a strong professional network to learn about higher-paying opportunities and gain insights into industry trends.
• Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for higher pay during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements

Most positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field. However, a master's degree or Ph.D. is often preferred, especially for roles involving complex algorithm development or research. Advanced degrees can provide a deeper understanding of machine learning algorithms, data analysis, and statistical modeling, which are crucial for high-level positions.

Helpful Certificates

While not always required, certain certifications can enhance your qualifications and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers. Some valuable certifications include:

• Certified Machine Learning Professional (CMLP)
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• Data Science Professional Certificate by IBM

These certifications can validate your skills in specific tools and platforms commonly used in the industry.

Experience Requirements

Typically, employers look for candidates with at least 3-5 years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on AI/ML or data science projects. Experience with programming languages such as Python, R, or Java, and familiarity with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn, is often required. Experience in data analysis, statistical modeling, and working with large datasets is also highly valued.

Related salaries

Want to contribute?