Staff Software Engineer Salary
technology · United States · 2025
National Median
$220,000
per year
National Salary Data
P10
$150k
Entry level
P25
$180k
Junior
P50
$220k
Median
P75
$265k
Senior
P90
$320k
Top earner
P10
$150,000
P50
$220,000
P90
$320,000
Salary Distribution Chart
City Salary Comparison
| City | P25 | Median | P75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CAHighest | $270,000 | $330,000 | $397,500 |
| New York, NY | $243,000 | $297,000 | $357,750 |
| Seattle, WA | $234,000 | $286,000 | $344,500 |
| Boston, MA | $225,000 | $275,000 | $331,250 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $216,000 | $264,000 | $318,000 |
| Austin, TX | $198,000 | $242,000 | $291,500 |
| Denver, CO | $198,000 | $242,000 | $291,500 |
| Chicago, IL | $189,000 | $231,000 | $278,250 |
| Dallas, TX | $180,000 | $220,000 | $265,000 |
| Miami, FL | $171,000 | $209,000 | $251,750 |
H-1B Average Wage
$215,600
DOL prevailing wage reference for Staff Software Engineer
Source: U.S. Department of Labor H-1B Disclosure Data
Quick Stats
P10–P90 Range$150,000 – $320,000
Interquartile Range$180,000 – $265,000
Top City (SF)$330,000
Industrytechnology
Salary Negotiation Calculator
Based on Staff Software Engineer market data
$
$
Market Median: $220,000
Current
$80,000
Increase
+$140,000
(+175.0%)
Target
$220,000
Negotiation Tips
- Research the market rate thoroughly — you are doing that now!
- Ask for 10-20% above your target to leave room for negotiation.
- Highlight your unique achievements and quantifiable impact.
- Consider the full compensation package: equity, benefits, PTO.
- Practice your pitch out loud before the actual conversation.