Software engineers are in demand across the Western United States. Major tech hubs like San Francisco and Seattle are leading the way, but there are developing cities like Denver that need front end and back end developers.
With the majority of western states surpassing the projected 15% tech employment growth from 2016 to 2026, there are many opportunities now and for the next decade. However, opportunities and salaries vary across states and cities. Here, we break down the starting salary for a software engineer in the Western US, using average salary data from Glassdoor, Indeed, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
By looking at all 13 states — and select major metropolitan areas — in the region across multiple experience levels, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect.
The following caveats naturally apply:
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Average salaries will vary on different job sites and broader search terms will produce more generalized results
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Key facts are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Additionally, web developer is the best descriptor for software engineer for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Salary information is based off the most recent data prior to publication
Arizona
Mean web developer salary: $71,180 ($48,160 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 2,570
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 21% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
The average junior software engineer salary in Arizona was $27.80 per hour, which was 6% lower than the national average, on Indeed.
An average software engineer salary was $96,328, compared to the national average of $107,019, on Indeed. The average senior software salary engineer salary on Indeed was $109,127, which was below the national average of $122,238.
On Glassdoor, we identify the state’s most populous city to determine the average software engineer salary. The average salary for an entry level software engineer in Phoenix was $76,940. The average software engineer salary was $95,777 while the average senior software engineer salary was $114,823.
Colorado
Mean web developer salary: $71,490 ($54,050 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 2,140
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 42% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
Mean web developer salary: $74,490 ($57,400 for all occupations)
Web developers in the metropolitan area: 1,220
The average junior software engineer salary in Colorado on Indeed was $60,116. The average software engineer salary was $102,797 while the average senior software engineer salary was $115,673.
On Glassdoor, the average salary for an entry level software engineer in Denver was $78,906. The average software engineer salary was $98,477 and the average senior software engineer salary was $118,057.
Take note of the projected 42% growth rate for tech employment in Colorado. That’s much higher than the national average for web developers (15%) and for all occupations (7%).
Idaho
Mean web developer salary: $50,660 ($42,240 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 670
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 21% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
In Idaho, the average salary for a software engineer was $79,301 on Indeed. The average senior software engineer salary was $99,725.
Average salaries were slightly higher on Glassdoor. The average annual salary for an entry level software engineer in Boise was $71,836. The average software engineer salary was $89,024 and the average salary for a senior software engineer was $106,907.
Montana
Mean web developer salary: $46,510 ($42,400 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 430
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 16% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
The average annual salary for a software engineer was $64,046 on Indeed while the average salary for a senior software engineer was $89,655.
Software engineer salary information was also hard to come by on Glassdoor. The average salary for an entry level software engineer in Bozeman, Montana was $68,656 based on 28 reported salaries. The average salary for a software engineer was $84,793 and the average senior software engineer salary was $106,907.
Nevada
Mean web developer salary: $59,580 ($45,040 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 710
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 15% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
The average junior software engineer salary in Nevada was $58,869 on Indeed. An average software engineer salary was $96,283 and the average senior software engineer salary was $106,355.
On Glassdoor, the average salary for an entry level software engineer in Las Vegas, Nevada was $73,743. The average salary for a software engineer was $91,603 while the average salary for a senior software engineer was $110,129.
New Mexico
Mean web developer salary: $56,930 ($44,840 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 270
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 10% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
On Indeed, the average software engineer salary in New Mexico was $81,896. The average salary for a senior software engineer was $104,219.
The average annual salary for an entry level software engineer in Albuquerque, New Mexico was $69,857 on Glassdoor. The average annual salary for a software engineer was $86,391 and the average salary for a senior software engineer was $103,566.
Utah
Mean web developer salary: $66,490 ($46,460 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 1,870
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 42% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
The average junior software engineer salary for Utah on Indeed was $65,911 and the average software engineer salary was $94,323. The average senior software engineer salary was $102,460.
In Salt Lake City, Utah, the average annual salary for an entry level software engineer was $77,472 on Glassdoor. The average salary for a software engineer was $86,391 and the average salary for a senior software engineer was $116,692.
Utah has a projected 42% increase in tech employment between 2016 and 2026, which is great news for tech talent in the state.
Wyoming
Mean web developer salary: $70,400 ($47,650 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 110
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 12% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
The average salary for a software engineer in Wyoming on Indeed was $88,687.
Average salary data for Wyoming was also limited on Glassdoor. The average annual salary for an entry level software engineer in Cheyenne, Wyoming — based on seven reported salaries — was $78,519. The average salary for a software engineer was $97,846while the average salary for a senior software engineer was $117,037.
Alaska
Mean web developer salary: $60,040 ($57,750 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 190
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): -4% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
Indeed did not have average salary data across all experience levels for Alaska.
On Glassdoor, the average annual salary for an entry level software engineer in Anchorage, Alaska was $77,412. The average salary for a software engineer was $96,397 and the average salary for a senior software engineer was $115,373.
Alaska was the only state in the Western US with a projected negative growth rate for web developer employment between 2016 and 2026.
California
Mean web developer salary: $84,270 ($57,190 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 21,150
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 21% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco
Mean web developer salary: $113,910 ($77,360 for all occupations)
Web developers in the metropolitan area: 3,870
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale
Mean web developer salary: $76,570 ($55,820 for all occupations)
Web developers in the metropolitan area: 5,660
Average software engineer salaries across all experience levels surpassed the national average on Indeed. The average salary for a junior software engineer was $82,950. The average salary for a software engineer was $117,886 and the average salary for a senior engineer was $140,540.
The average annual salary for an entry level software engineer in San Francisco on Glassdoor was $110,283. The average salary for a software engineer was $137,000 and the average salary for a senior software engineer was $157,429.
While the mean salary for a web developer in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $113,910, there’s an incredible amount of competition for these jobs in the area.
Hawaii
Mean web developer salary: $60,810 ($52,050 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 280
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 12% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
On Indeed, the average salary for a software engineer was $80,643. The average salary for a senior software engineer was $84,595.
The average salary for an entry level software engineer in Hawaii on Glassdoor was $69,708. The average salary for a software engineer was $86,193 and the average salary for a senior software engineer was $103,254.
Oregon
Mean web developer salary: $68,960 ($51,010 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 2,240
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 20% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
For Oregon, the average salary for a junior software engineer on Indeed was $59,205. The average software engineer salary was $101,296 and the average salary for a senior software engineer was $107,121.
The average salary for an entry level software engineer in Portland, Oregon on Glassdoor was $83,424. The average salary for a software engineer was $104,193 and the average salary for a senior software engineer was $123,967.
Washington
Mean web developer salary: $92,260 ($57,480 for all occupations)
Web developers in the state: 5,640
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 50% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
Mean web developer salary: $97,160 ($65,350 for all occupations)
Web developers in the metropolitan area: 4,6490
The average salary for a junior software engineer on Indeed was $57,790. The average salary for software engineer in Washington was $110,088 and the average salary for a senior software engineer in the state was $134,648.
On Glassdoor, the average salary for an entry level software engineer in Seattle, Washington was $101,979. The average salary for a software engineer was $126,913 and the average salary for a senior software engineer was $146,474.
Washington had the highest projected growth rate for web developer employment in the West.
Every company has different needs and means. A smaller startup may not have the ability to pay top dollar for an employee whereas a well-funded startup may be willing to pay a premium for talent. Consider all your options and see if a lower salary is worth it for you.
