How Much Do Software Engineers Make in 2024? Salaries Revealed
What is a software engineer’s salary? If you are considering improving your career prospects or just starting your job in tech, you might have wondered what a software engineer’s prospects might look like.
While the salary range for software engineers in most companies range from $58,000 to $174,900 (at times higher depending on industry), salaries in the top Tech firms can vary substantially. These salaries are more the "exception rather than the rule" though skillsets are not too dissimilar from those found outside large Tech firms.
Google Software Engineer Salary
In the tech industry, each job level is clearly defined by a specific set of responsibilities and an associated salary range, with a software engineer’s duties, autonomy, accountability, and pay grade generally increasing with their level. At Google, these levels are designated by an “L” followed by a number indicating seniority (from lowest to highest).
According to Indeed, the average salary for a Google software engineer in the United States is around $147,826, an incredible 31% above the national average. But if you are highly ambitious and have the drive to dedicate your time to advancing your career, the sky is the limit, with a salary worth millions rather than thousands.
Earning Potential: $186K for L3 to $2.3M for L9 per year
Amazon Software Engineer Salary
Becoming an Amazon software engineer should start with assessing your current skills. Successful candidates typically possess a bachelor’s degree in software development and are comfortable using programming languages such as C++, Java, and Python. They usually also have at least five years of professional experience.
However, highly dedicated and successful individuals could find themselves on the path to earning the dream software engineer salary of nearly $1M annually.
Earning Potential: $171K for L4 to $915K for L8 per year
Microsoft Software Engineer Salary
A Microsoft software engineer will have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a similar technical field. This is typically complemented by experience in programming languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python. Alternatively, equivalent practical experience is also acceptable.
Microsoft structures its software engineering roles into nine distinct levels. Starting with software development engineer I (levels 59/60), advancing to software development engineer II (61/62), then to senior software engineer (63/64), followed by principal software development engineer (65/66/67), and reaching up to partner (68/69).
Microsoft provides varying salary tiers within each level, allowing for salary progression without necessarily advancing to a higher position. But once again, the carrot on the stick is working towards that million-dollar salary.
Earning Potential: $157K for 59 to $1.1M for 69 per year
Apple Software Engineer Salary
At Apple, there are also a series of levels that offer software engineers a clear path forward. The ICT2 level is typically reserved for newly graduated individuals embarking on their careers. The ICT3 level is designed for software engineers with an intermediate level of experience, while the ICT4 level requires three to five years of experience in software development.
Moving up the scale, the ICT5 level represents a senior team member, comparable to a team leader or staff engineer, and the ICT6 level marks the final senior position, akin to a principal engineer or senior software engineer.
Earning Potential: $162K for ICT2 to $1.5M for a distinguished engineer per year
Meta Software Engineer Salary
Meta also employs a leveling system that standardizes salary bands, aligning them with specific qualifications and responsibilities across various job roles. For software engineers, the journey begins at the entry-level position of E3. As they advance in their career, demonstrating professional expertise and skill, they can rise through the ranks up to E8.
Alternatively, those who excel in leadership and management may progress to an M2 level, equivalent to a software engineering manager, reflecting their evolved role and responsibilities within the company.
Earning Potential: $208K for E3 to $2.5M for E9 per year
