2017 Software Development Salary Survey

Executive Summary

THIS REPORT EXPLORES THE LANDSCAPE of the professionals working in all facets of software development, including details about the relationship between roles, location, company size, industry, and earnings. The results are based on more than 6,800 responses collected via an online survey. We paid special attention to the variables that correlate with salary, but it’s not just about money: we also analyzed what tools, tasks, and organizational processes respondents most commonly use.

In this, our second annual Software Development Salary Survey, we find some consistency in what matters to software developers. Much like last year, our results show that the better-paying jobs tend to concentrate in tech centers, that experience matters more than age, and that knowing more tools, working with more people in a wider variety of roles, and working for larger organizations all correlate with higher wages. And, the data shows that knowing when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em (i.e., self-reported good negotiating skills) might be a key to higher salaries.

The median salary this year was down worldwide compared to last year, likely caused by a drop in the share of highly paid US-based respondents and a currency exchange-based decline for Western Europeans who made up a larger share of survey participants compared to last year.

Other key findings from this report include:

• US respondents, particularly those in California, report the highest salaries.

• The larger the company, ...