Software Developer Salary in Columbus

Designs, builds, and maintains software applications across web, mobile, and systems domains.

Ranks #201 of 530 metros·Ohio·$121,160 avg

Columbus ranks #201 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $7,564 above the national average.

Level I
$82,846
vs national avg: +10%
Level II
$101,899
vs national avg: +6%
Level III
$120,973
vs national avg: +3%
Level IV
$140,026
vs national avg: +1%

Columbus vs National Average

LevelThis MetroNational AvgDifference% Change
Level I (Entry)$82,846$75,282+$7,564+10.0%
Level II$101,899$96,293+$5,606+5.8%
Level III (Mid)$120,973$117,303+$3,670+3.1%
Level IV (Senior)$140,026$138,313+$1,713+1.2%

Other metros in Ohio

Metro AreaLevel ILevel IVAverage
Lima$74,797$134,909$115,066
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek$75,899$132,496$113,818
Eastern Ohio$72,696$133,536$113,464
Springfield$71,947$132,558$112,570
Weirton-Steubenville$72,093$132,080$112,278

Want to reach Level III or IV?

Follow the step-by-step roadmap to build the skills employers pay for.

View roadmap →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average software developer salary in Columbus?

The average software developer salary in Columbus is $121,160 per year, based on U.S. Department of Labor employer survey data. This places Columbus at rank #201 out of 530 U.S. metro areas surveyed.

What do entry-level software developers earn in Columbus?

Entry-level software developers (Level I) in Columbus earn $82,846 per year. Level II (early career) earns $101,899, reflecting growing independence and experience.

How does Columbus compare to the national average for software developer salaries?

Columbus ranks #201 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $7,564 above the national average. The national average software developer salary is $117,513, while Columbus workers average $121,160 — a difference of +3% overall.

Data source: Salary data sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers nationwide to collect wage data by occupation and geography. The four experience levels reflect DOL standardized tiers. Data reflects the most recently published survey cycle. SOC code: 15-1252.