Your business is thriving, but with growth comes growing pains. As you find more customers, increased software traffic can cause your tools to break or slow down. Software engineers create solutions that help you scale, develop new products, increase efficiency, and more.
But the number of developers who declined jobs due to unmet rate expectations nearly doubled from 2022 to 2024, highlighting the need for employers to anticipate potential hires' compensation expectations.
Before you begin hiring, learning about the highest-paying software engineering jobs is important to inform decisions like whether to hire a software engineer from a third party or seek a full-time hire. We're covering everything you should know, from what each role can accomplish to which factors you should consider in the hiring budget.
What Are the Top-Paying Software Engineering Roles?
Software engineering roles typically pay well because they require specialized skills and knowledge. However, salary depends on a developer's specialty, past experiences, tools, and location. Let's dive deep into each of the top-paying coding jobs so you can determine what you're looking for and how they can meet your needs.
Full-Stack Developer
$95K-$170K/yrWell-rounded developers with experience in front-end, back-end, and data management. If your team is small and you need a jack-of-all-trades, a full-stack developer can help with various projects.
Required: Front-end/back-end proficiency, database management, basic DevOps
DevOps Engineer
$118K-$176K/yrImprove accuracy and efficiency as software is developed and implemented. They mediate the relationship between developers and operations teams, maintaining infrastructure and checking projects as they're updated.
Required: Containerization, cloud platforms, scripting and automation
AI Developer
$116K-$180K/yrCreate AI models for internal custom tools, product features, or research. May specialize in NLP (language processing), predictive analytics (forecasting), or computer vision (image recognition).
Required: Machine learning fundamentals, deep learning frameworks, AI/ML programming
Blockchain Developer
$115K-$191K/yrPlay a major role in maintaining security in verticals requiring high discretion levels, like finance or crypto. Blockchain is decentralized across computer networks, blocking individual users from changing data.
Required: Blockchain fundamentals, cryptography, blockchain platform knowledge
Cloud Engineer
$123K-$194K/yrSpecialize in computing and coding for cloud-based solutions. The cloud enables better scalability, and cloud engineers minimize growing pains during this process with focus on reliability and security.
Required: Cloud platform expertise, Infrastructure as Code, automation
Embedded Systems Engineer
$129K-$204K/yrWork on software with a single function within a large device, such as temperature regulation in heating equipment. Work with both software and hardware, requiring coding and "hands-on" expertise.
Required: Hardware-software interface, device drivers, embedded testing
Data Scientist
$132K-$213K/yrCreate code to process and interpret complex datasets. Combine coding, statistics, machine learning, and AI to create models that interpret datasets and turn raw data into actionable visualizations.
Required: Statistical analysis, data cleaning, data science programming
Machine Learning Engineer
$136K-$216K/yrWork specifically with machine learning models that can learn and improve decision-making as they process more data. Build these valuable tools and conduct routine maintenance to keep them accurate.
Required: ML model development, model deployment, MLOps practices
Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
$123K-$229K/yrConduct maintenance and prevent potential issues before they occur. Create and leverage custom automation to identify and resolve problems or alert the wider team—keeping your product running smoothly.
Required: Monitoring/alerting, incident response, capacity planning
Data Architect
$155K-$238K/yrOwn data management, from creating warehousing solutions to cleaning, transformation, and translation. Ensure data is secure from bad actors but legible for appropriate internal systems.
Required: ETL/ELT pipeline design, database technologies, data governance
Security Engineer
$150K-$247K/yr 🔥A security engineer's sole responsibility is to protect your company's data. They look for system vulnerabilities, create patches, and are the first line of defense if there's an incident.
Required: Network/cloud/app security, vulnerability management, threat modeling
Highest Paying Roles Comparison Chart
Different software engineer jobs come with their own salary expectations. Typically, they'll pay more as the role becomes more specialized. Below are average salary ranges in the United States:
| Role | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 🥇 Security Engineer | $150,000 – $247,000/yr |
| 🥈 Data Architect | $155,000 – $238,000/yr |
| 🥉 Site Reliability Engineer | $123,000 – $229,000/yr |
| Machine Learning Engineer | $136,000 – $216,000/yr |
| Data Scientist | $132,000 – $213,000/yr |
| Embedded Systems Engineer | $129,000 – $204,000/yr |
| Cloud Engineer | $123,000 – $194,000/yr |
| Blockchain Developer | $115,000 – $191,000/yr |
| AI Developer | $116,000 – $180,000/yr |
| DevOps Engineer | $118,000 – $176,000/yr |
| Full-Stack Developer | $95,000 – $170,000/yr |
How Do Annual Wages Vary by Industry?
Wages for software developers can also change depending on the industry. Here are average salaries by industry:
💡 Why is Computer Systems the Lowest?
Almost all software providers have switched to cloud-based models. Computer systems are de-prioritized because there aren't as many hardware changes in the industry. Meanwhile, manufacturing tech is lagging, leading to higher demand for manufacturing software engineers.
Factors Contributing to High Salaries
Before beginning the software developer hiring process, consider these factors to determine the appropriate salary for the role:
📈 High Demand
Are you looking for support in a fast-developing field? The role will need a higher salary to set it apart if there are many similar job postings competing for talent.
🎯 Specialized Skills
Does the role require specialized skills or experience? If yes, the salary should be higher to attract candidates with those rare capabilities.
⚡ Strategic Importance
How important is the developer's role to company success? If closely tied to revenue or core product, the salary should reflect that strategic value.
🏢 Company Size & Type
Developers in different industries will have different salary expectations. They may expect higher pay from larger organizations with more resources.
📍 Location
Developers in areas with higher living costs will expect a higher wage. However, remote work has changed this dynamic—Eastern European developers are well-known for their expertise and typically live in lower-cost-of-living areas.
Quick Tips for Hiring High-Paying Engineering Roles
Hiring software engineers can be a different beast compared to other hiring processes. Consider these factors to make the role more enticing:
🏠 Leverage Remote Work Flexibility
Flexible or remote work options can make a role more attractive. Remote developers might accept lower payment if they get increased flexibility and work-life balance.
💻 Focus on Skills Over Experience
Many developers are self-taught, so focus on their capabilities rather than past roles. Tests and sample projects can help you find someone with the needed skills.
📄 Consider Contract or Project-Based Work
Contracts might be a better option if you have changing needs and different types of projects. This gives flexibility without long-term commitment.
🎯 Tap into Niche Talent Pools
Platforms like Boundev vet talent for you, taking the guesswork out of finding the right fit for specialized roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest-paid skills in software engineering?
The highest-paid skills in software engineering are those in emerging or high-priority fields such as AI, cybersecurity, machine learning, and cloud computing. Security expertise commands the highest premiums ($150K-$247K), followed by data architecture and site reliability engineering.
Which companies pay software engineers the highest salaries?
Large tech giants tend to pay software engineers the highest salaries. This includes companies like Meta, Apple, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. However, funded startups often compete with equity packages and remote flexibility.
Which field of software engineering is most in demand?
Full-stack developers are the most in-demand right now because they have well-rounded skills to tackle various project types. They're often the first hire for startups on their development team because of their versatility across front-end, back-end, and database work.
Does location affect software engineering salaries?
Yes, location affects software engineering salaries. Roles in areas with higher living costs (San Francisco, New York, Seattle) tend to have higher wages. However, Eastern European developers are well-known for their expertise and typically live in lower-cost-of-living areas, offering excellent value.
What is the highest paying software engineering job in 2026?
Security engineers are the highest-paid software engineering role in 2026, earning $150,000-$247,000 per year. This is because they handle both prevention and response—identifying security risks and mitigating attacks or data leaks when they occur.
Find the Right Developer Within Your Budget
Finding the right fit in some of the highest-paying software engineering jobs can be difficult. If you're not sure who can get the job done within your budget, working with a vetted developer platform can help you make a more informed decision.
At Boundev, we have a stringent vetting process—only 1.2% of applicants make it through our screening. Our network of expert developers helps you find the right fit for any project, from security engineering to full-stack development.
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