How Much Does an Entry Software Engineer Make? (2025)
Understanding the entry software engineer salary is important for employers and job candidates. As of September 2025, the average annual salary for entry software engineer in the United States is $81,700 per year, or approximately $39 per hour, according to recent data.
This salary guide explores the role of an entry software engineer, including job responsibilities, earnings, and factors influencing income, such as location, experience, and specialized knowledge.
What Does an Entry Software Engineer Do?
Entry-level software engineers, often referred to as junior software developers, play a vital role in building and developing software solutions. Entry software engineers assist with coding, debugging, software testing, computer programming, and developing software applications. They work on simple tasks under close supervision, gaining foundational experience in a team-based environment.
Responsibilities include:
- Coding, debugging, testing, and troubleshooting software applications
- Assisting in the design and development of software solutions
- Supporting project work of limited complexity
- Collaborating with teams and reporting to a manager
- Participating in the full software development lifecycle
According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, most positions requires a bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field. Internships during college, especially at software companies, help build experience.
What is Entry Software Engineer Overview?
As mentioned above, the entry software engineer average salary in the United States is $81,700 per year or $39 per hour, as of September 2025.
Based on our data, the entry software engineer salary is between $68,709 to $93,545 per year, with most earning reported between $74,900 and $87,900. The entry software engineer salary per month is $6,808.
Moreover, an entry software engineer often earns an average of $39 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $33 to $45. The average weekly entry software engineer salary is $1,044, with pay ranging from $1,321 to $1,799.
2025 Entry Software Engineer Average Salary: $81,700 per year ($39 per hour)
Meanwhile, the core median entry software engineer salary is $123,334 per year. This includes salary and bonuses and varies depending on the percentile.
The average total entry software engineer salary, including bonuses, is $123,334, according to our report. The total compensation package for the job title includes benefits like healthcare ($8,352), time off ($10,757), and Social Security ($6,686), which make up 20.9% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $81,700 | 66.20% |
| Bonus | $5,700 | 4.60% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $6,686 | 5.40% |
| 401K/403B | $3,671 | 3.00% |
| Disability | $1,748 | 1.40% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 6.80% |
| Pension | $4,720 | 3.80% |
| Time Off | $10,757 | 8.70% |
| Total Compensation | $123,334 | 100% |
This data highlights the competitive salaries and benefits offered by companies in the software industry, making entry-level software engineer jobs highly attractive.
What Can Affect Entry Software Engineer Salaries?
The salary of an entry software engineer varies based on factors such as experience, geographical location, and skills. Here's a breakdown of these key factors:
By Experience Level
According to Salary.com, entry software engineer with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $81,207 per year. In contrast, those with eight or more years of experience can expect to earn an average of $83,703 per year. More years of experience typically lead to higher salaries.
Software engineer with a strong track record earn more as they develop expertise:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Entry Software Engineer | $81,207 |
| Intermediate Level Entry Software Engineer | $81,882 |
| Senior Level Entry Software Engineer | $83,248 |
| Specialist Level Entry Software Engineer | $83,521 |
| Expert Level Entry Software Engineer | $83,703 |
By Geographic Location
Apart from experience level, the salary of an entry software engineer in the United States also varies by location, influenced by factors such as cost of living, local economy, and industry presence.
For example, among major cities in the United States, San Jose has the highest average salary at $103,100 per year, while Miami and Dallas report lower median salaries of $78,500 and $80,700 per year, respectively.
| City | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $94,400 | $103,100 | $110,900 |
| San Francisco, California | $93,500 | $102,000 | $109,800 |
| Washington, D.C. | $82,900 | $90,500 | $97,400 |
| Miami, Florida | $71,900 | $78,500 | $84,500 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $77,400 | $84,400 | $90,900 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $83,500 | $91,100 | $98,100 |
| New York, New York | $86,700 | $94,700 | $101,900 |
| Dallas, Texas | $73,900 | $80,700 | $86,800 |
By Skills
High-demand skills drive salary increases for entry software engineer. Our Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that those with kubernetes skills see a salary increase of +6.66%, while those with programming languages skills see an increase of +5.95%. The demand for these skills is 10.60% and 10.50%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Kubernetes | 10.60% | 6.66% |
| Programming Languages | 10.50% | 5.95% |
| Cloud Platform | 10.90% | 5.89% |
| SQL Server | 10.50% | 5.79% |
| Jira | 10.60% | 5.78% |
| Bug Tracking | 10.60% | 5.73% |
How to Become an Entry Software Engineer?
Starting a career as an entry software engineer involves a combination of formal education, technical skills, hands-on experience, and continuous learning. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started in this fast-growing field:
- Complete Your Education: To start your career, most employers prefer a bachelor's degree in fields like Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or Computer Engineering. Some entry-level roles may accept an associate degree or technical certifications, especially with practical experience or a strong coding portfolio.
- Earn Certifications: Depending on the role or state, some software engineering positions may require certifications. For example, Certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate, AWS Certified Developer, or Oracle Certified Professional can boost your credentials and demonstrate expertise in programming, cloud platforms, or databases. These are particularly helpful for roles requiring security or artificial intelligence expertise.
- Gain Practical Experience: Start with entry-level roles or internships in tech companies, such as junior developer, quality assurance tester, or technical support positions. These roles provide hands-on experience with coding, debugging, and software development processes, giving your insight into industry tools and workflows.
- Develop Essential Skills: Focus on honing technical skills like programming in languages such as Python, Java, or C++, as well as problem-solving and analytical abilities. Strong communication skills are also critical for collaborating with teams and clients. Salary.com indicates that skills like software development and system design can increase your salary by up to 10%.
- Advance Your Career: With experience, you can transition into specialized roles like web developer, mobile app developer, or backend engineer. Continuous learning through online courses, coding bootcamps, or advanced certifications will help you stay competitive in the rapidly evolving tech industry and contribute to building innovative solutions.
What are the FAQs about Entry Software Engineer?
Here are some common questions about entry software engineer salary:
Is entry software engineer a good job?
Yes, being an entry software engineer can be a rewarding career with strong job stability in the growing tech industry. It offers opportunities for advancement, remote work, flexible schedules, and high earning potential. Entry-level engineers help build software that powers businesses and can specialize in areas like AI, web, or mobile development.
What skills do you need to be an entry software engineer?
To succeed as an entry software engineer, strong coding and problem-solving skills are essential. In 2025, high-demand skills like Kubernetes (6.66% salary boost), Python, Java, JavaScript (5.95%), and cloud platforms like AWS and Azure (5.89%) can significantly increase earnings. Knowledge of SQL Server, Jira, bug tracking, algorithms, data structures, and Git is also valuable for career growth.
How do additional certifications impact salary?
Earning certifications like Microsoft Azure Developer, AWS Certified Developer, or Google Cloud Developer can boost your salary and open doors to higher-paying roles in areas like cloud computing, full-stack development, or DevOps. This career path combines innovation, problem-solving, and opportunities for growth with competitive pay.
