- 1.Software Engineers average $148,263; top earners reach $231,873 (90th percentile) (Glassdoor, 2026)
- 2.AI Engineers command 12% salary premium over general Software Engineers (Ravio, 2026)
- 3.Senior software developers saw 10% salary DECLINE year-over-year (Motion Recruitment, 2026)
- 4.Overall tech salary growth at 1.6%—lowest in 15 years (IEEE-USA, 2026)
$148K
Software Engineer Avg
12%
AI Premium
1.6%
Overall Growth
$209K
LLM Developer Avg
2026 Tech Salary Trends
According to IEEE-USA, average tech salaries in the United States grew by a modest 0.8% year-over-year, masking significant variation across specialized roles. In 2025, tech salaries increased an average of 1.6%, down from 2.9% in 2024 and 3.5% in 2023. According to industry experts, '1.6% is the lowest we've seen' in 15 years.
Base-pay increases for U.S. tech workers are expected to rise 3.5% in 2026, down from a 4% increase in 2025, according to Payscale's 2025-2026 salary report. The era of explosive tech salary growth appears to have ended, replaced by a bifurcated market where specialized skills command premiums while generalist roles stagnate.
Role-by-Role Salary Breakdown
According to Glassdoor, here's what different software roles earn in 2026:
| Role | Average | 25th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $148,263 | $118,309 | $231,873 |
| Software Developer | $121,264 | $95,512 | $193,617 |
| LLM Developer | $209,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Senior Data Worker | $178,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Mid-Level Engineer (National) | $107,500-$144,050 | N/A | N/A |
| Senior Engineer (National) | $124,340-$148,363 | N/A | N/A |
Source: Glassdoor, Motion Recruitment, 2026
Source: Ravio, 2026
Regional Salary Variations
According to Motion Recruitment, location dramatically affects compensation:
| Location | Mid-Level Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $120,631-$161,645 | Highest-paying market |
| Seattle | $115,195-$154,362 | Strong FAANG presence |
| San Francisco Bay Area | $115,000-$155,000 | High cost of living |
| Dallas | $86,233-$116,980 | Lower COL, growing market |
| Charlotte | $86,233-$116,980 | Banking/finance focus |
Source: Motion Recruitment, 2026
Winners and Losers in 2026
According to Motion Recruitment, while AI adoption has slowed hiring for entry-level and generalist positions, specialized roles have seen sharp salary increases. The market is bifurcating.
Biggest gainers:
- AI/ML Engineers (+7-9%)
- Platform Engineers (+8.9%)
- Salesforce Developers (+8.5%)
- LLM Developers ($209K average)
- Cybersecurity mid-level (+10-15%)
Biggest declines:
- Senior software developers (-10%)
- Mid-level SQL developers (-7%)
- Generalist developers (flat/declining)
- Entry-level positions (73% fewer openings)
The message is clear: specialization pays. Generalist 'software developer' roles face pressure from both AI automation and oversupply of candidates, while specialized skills in AI, platform engineering, and security command premiums.
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Related Degrees
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Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
2026 Tech Salary Guide and regional data
AI premium analysis and salary trends
Technology compensation trends
Overall tech salary growth statistics
Role-specific salary data
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.