On this page
Key Takeaways
- 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
AI Engineer Salary Premium
Source: Ravio, 2026
Regional Salary Variations
According to Motion Recruitment, location 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.
Related Articles
Related Degrees
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the average software engineer salary in 2026?
Are tech salaries still growing?
How much more do AI engineers make?
Which tech roles saw salary declines?
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.