There are many reasons why you should consider a software engineering career. First, it’s an exciting career in tech: you’re always learning and working with new skills. You’re also shaping the digital world, which is always growing. Also, It’s a smart move for the future, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 15% tech employment growth from 2016 to 2026. And, perhaps most importantly, becoming a software engineer can be very lucrative. While it might excite you to see salaries eclipsing $100,000, it’s necessary to look at the bigger picture. Where are the best salaries? Where are the lowest? Where is the most opportunity? The average software engineer salary can vary greatly depending on location, experience, and industry. Here, we break down the starting salary for a software engineer in the Northeast US, with Boston being the area's strongest tech market, as the average salary on Glassdoor, Indeed, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics varies from state to state. By looking at all nine states in the region across multiple experience levels, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect. The following caveats naturally apply:
-
Average salaries will vary on different job sites and broader search terms will produce more generalized results
-
Key facts are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
-
Additionally, web developer is the best descriptor for software engineer for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Connecticut
-
Mean web developer salary: $76,310 ($59,410 for all occupations)
-
Web developers in the state: 1,210
-
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 15% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
The average junior software engineer salary in Connecticut is $63,783 compared to the national average of $56,910 on Indeed. Software engineer salaries were higher, due to the broader term and scope, on Indeed. The average software engineer salary is $101,421, which is slightly lower than the national average of $107,019. The average senior software engineer salary in Connecticut is $115,113 on Indeed compared to the national average of $121,844. The reason for the lower average salary could be due to higher salaries in states like New York and California pushing the figure higher. On Glassdoor, we found the average salary for software engineers employed in Bridgeport, Connecticut’s most populous city. An entry level software engineer salary was $88,477 while a software engineer salary was $110,579. The average senior software engineer salary working in Bridgeport was $132,477.
Maine
-
Mean web developer salary: $62,390 ($45,310 for all occupations)
-
Web developers in the state: 330
-
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 5% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
The average salary for software engineers was $77,995 and that’s much lower than the national average of $107,019. The average salary for a senior software engineer, at $93,205, also fell short of the national average. There was no reported average for junior or entry-level positions, specifically, on Indeed.Average salaries for software engineers in Portland, Maine on Glassdoor told a similar story. The average entry-level software engineer salary was $67,829 compared to the national average of $94,550. The average software engineer salary was $83,692, and the average senior software engineer salary in Portland was $100,233.
Massachusetts
-
Mean web developer salary: $81,770 ($62,110 for all occupations)
-
Web developers in the state: 4,190
-
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 11% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
On Indeed, the average salary for a junior software engineer was $70,232. The average software engineer salary was $132,555 while the average salary for a senior software engineer was $126,761.On Glassdoor, the average salary for software engineer and senior software engineer working in Boston was $108,541 and $126,522, respectively. The average salary for an entry-level software engineer in Boston was $86,826.
New Hampshire
-
Mean web developer salary: $65,260 ($51,040 for all occupations)
-
Web developers in the state: 660
-
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 15% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
On Indeed, the average junior software engineer salary was $68,308. While the average software engineer salary of $98,595 was lower than the national average, the average senior software engineer salary of $125,720 was higher than the national average. Average software engineer information was available for Manchester, New Hampshire on Glassdoor. An average salary for an entry-level software engineer was $76,300, a software engineer was $94,934, and a senior software engineer was $114,287.
New Jersey
-
Mean web developer salary: $77,160 ($56,970 for all occupations)
-
Web developers in the state: 2,800
-
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 9% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
A junior software engineer earned an average annual salary of $69,566 on Indeed. The average software engineer was $100,152 and the average senior software engineer salary was $120,980.An average salary for an entry-level software engineer in Trenton, New Jersey was $79,678 on Glassdoor. The average salary for a software engineer was $99,532 and the average salary for a senior software engineer was $119,537.
New York
-
Mean web developer salary: $82,360 ($60,100 for all occupations)
-
Web developers in the state: 11,900
-
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 20% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
Average software engineer salaries for software engineers across all experience levels were higher than the national average on Indeed. An average salary for a junior software engineer was $70,909 while a software engineer earned an average of $114,847. A senior software engineer earned an average of $125,836. Average salaries for software engineers working in New York, NY were higher on Glassdoor. The average salary for an entry-level software engineer was $93,850. The average software engineer salary was $117,197 and the average senior software engineer salary was $135,822.
Pennsylvania
-
Mean web developer salary: $69,600 ($48,760 for all occupations)
-
Web developers in the state: 4,800
-
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 11% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
A junior software engineer earned an average salary of $63,609 on Indeed. The average software engineer salary in Pennsylvania was $89,727. A senior software engineer earned an average of $110,746.The average salary for an entry-level software engineer in Philadelphia was $76,855 on Glassdoor. The average software engineer salary was $96,044 and the average senior software engineer salary was $114,078.
Rhode Island
-
Mean web developer salary: $75,130 ($53,110 for all occupations)
-
Web developers in the state: 470
-
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): N/A (national average of 7% for all occupations)
The mean salary for web developers in Rhode Island was $75,130 compared to $53,110 for all occupations.A software engineer earned an average of $82,880 on Indeed while the average senior software engineer salary was $117,779.On Glassdoor, the average salary for an entry-level software engineer in Providence was $73,522. The average software salary was $91,379 and the average senior software engineer salary was $109,715.
Vermont
-
Mean web developer salary: $65,230 ($48,840 for all occupations)
-
Web developers in the state: 420
-
Projected employment growth (2016-2026): 9% (national average of 7% for all occupations)
An average salary for a software engineer was $79,771. The average salary for a senior software engineer was $90,386.The average salary for an entry-level software engineer in Burlington, Vermont was $67,734. An average salary for a software engineer salary was $83,566. The average salary for a senior software engineer was $100,079. 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.
