Software Development Salary Guide 2026
What software developers are actually paid in the United States, computed from 140 live job listings with posted compensation. Updated weekly.
- →The median software development salary is $121,964/yr, with most offers between $95,000 and $143,500
- →Full-time roles post a median of $121,964 (n=138)
- →Remote posts the highest published median at $137,500
How much do software developers make?
Software developers at Christian companies earn a median of $121,964 per year, from 140 listings with posted compensation. The middle half of offers runs from $95,000 to $143,500.
This benchmark covers full stack, backend, front end, mobile, and DevOps roles. Faith-tech companies and large ministries hire against the same market as secular startups, and remote roles dominate the listings.
Software Development salaries by state
Geography moves software development pay meaningfully, and cost of living explains most of the spread. Minnesota leads at a median of $111,647, while Illinois comes in at $85,750. States with fewer than five listings do not get a published figure.
Median software development salary by state
n=140 · Updated Aug 1, 2026| State | Median | n | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $137,500 | 89 | |
| Minnesota | $111,647 | 6 | |
| Nebraska | $97,500 | 16 | |
| Illinois | $85,750 | 6 | |
| Tennessee | — | <5 | |
| Wisconsin | — | <5 | |
| Utah | — | <5 | |
| Texas | — | <5 | |
| Colorado | — | <5 | |
| Florida | — | <5 | |
| Ohio | — | <5 |
By organization and employment type
By organization type
n=125 · Updated Aug 1, 2026| Org type | Median | n |
|---|---|---|
| Nonprofit | $122,428 | 50 |
| For-profit company | $121,250 | 68 |
| Missions organization | — | <5 |
| Church | — | <5 |
| Christian school | — | <5 |
By employment type
n=138 · Updated Aug 1, 2026| Type | Median | n |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | $121,964 | 138 |
By organization size
n=21 · Updated Aug 1, 2026| Employees | Median | n |
|---|---|---|
| 51-200 | $114,250 | 6 |
| 201-1000 | — | <5 |
| 1000+ | $122,428 | 13 |
Organization size is the employer's W-2 headcount from its latest IRS Form 990 filing. Employers that don't file (churches, for-profits) aren't counted in that table.