Software Developer Salary in Raleigh-Cary

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

Ranks #60 of 530 metros·North Carolina·$135,616 avg

Raleigh-Cary ranks #60 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $16,425 above the national average.

Level I
$91,707
vs national avg: +22%
Level II
$113,547
vs national avg: +18%
Level III
$135,408
vs national avg: +15%
Level IV
$157,248
vs national avg: +14%

Raleigh-Cary vs National Average

LevelThis MetroNational AvgDifference% Change
Level I (Entry)$91,707$75,282+$16,425+21.8%
Level II$113,547$96,293+$17,254+17.9%
Level III (Mid)$135,408$117,303+$18,105+15.4%
Level IV (Senior)$157,248$138,313+$18,935+13.7%

Other metros in North Carolina

Metro AreaLevel ILevel IVAverage
Durham-Chapel Hill$94,182$161,741$139,464
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia$91,291$154,669$133,744
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton$75,795$158,018$130,894
Winston-Salem$84,739$148,242$127,275
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk$80,954$147,493$125,549

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average software developer salary in Raleigh-Cary?

The average software developer salary in Raleigh-Cary is $135,616 per year, based on U.S. Department of Labor employer survey data. This places Raleigh-Cary at rank #60 out of 530 U.S. metro areas surveyed.

What do entry-level software developers earn in Raleigh-Cary?

Entry-level software developers (Level I) in Raleigh-Cary earn $91,707 per year. Level II (early career) earns $113,547, reflecting growing independence and experience.

How does Raleigh-Cary compare to the national average for software developer salaries?

Raleigh-Cary ranks #60 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $16,425 above the national average. The national average software developer salary is $117,513, while Raleigh-Cary workers average $135,616 — a difference of +15% 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.