Are you considering exploring software engineering in New York State, or looking to benchmark your current compensation?
We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 818 software engineering positions across New York State to provide insights into the software engineer salary landscape. This article details the software engineer salaries in New York for 2025, exploring how much software engineers make and the key factors that influence compensation as revealed by the data.
Average Software Engineer Salary in New York
The median Software Engineer salary in New York is $165,000 USD per year or $79.33 USD per hour. This figure provides insight into how much software engineers make in New York and serves as a benchmark for the Software Engineering salaries in the state.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Software Engineer Salaries
Educational Level
The data reveals a clear correlation between education level and compensation. While traditional coding roles are evolving with AI integration, companies are increasingly prioritizing engineers who can manage AI-driven workflows rather than simply write code, shifting toward engineers with expertise in AI augmentation, system architecture, and cross-functional problem-solving.
Interestingly, while a PhD commands the highest salary, the jump from bachelor’s to master’s degree represents a significant ROI, with master’s degree holders earning about 9% more than bachelor’s degree holders. This suggests that pursuing advanced education can be a strategic career investment for Software Engineer pay optimization.
Software engineering positions in New York predominantly require a bachelor’s degree, with over 70% of positions listing this as the minimum requirement. However, the hiring market strongly favors mid-level and senior engineers, with companies wanting candidates who can contribute immediately. New grads without elite academic backgrounds or extensive internship experience are struggling more than ever, and there’s been a steep drop in opportunities for bootcamp grads.
Years of Experience
Here’s where it gets interesting: the data shows steady salary progression with experience, but notice the significant jump at the 10+ year mark. Engineers with a decade of experience see their compensation jump to over $227,000, representing the transition into true senior technical leadership roles. This 60%+ increase from the 5-year mark demonstrates the premium placed on seasoned expertise in New York’s competitive market.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 2.46% | 14 |
| 1 year | 7.37% | 42 |
| 2 years | 20.88% | 119 |
| 3 years | 31.75% | 181 |
| 4 years | 9.30% | 53 |
| 5 years | 16.84% | 96 |
| 6 years | 4.74% | 27 |
| 7 years | 2.63% | 15 |
| 8 years | 1.93% | 11 |
| 10+ years | 2.11% | 12 |
The distribution shows that most employers in New York seek candidates with 2-3 years of experience, representing over 52% of all positions. This creates what we call the “experience sweet spot” – enough to demonstrate competency but not so much that compensation expectations become prohibitive for many employers.
Remote Work
One of the most fascinating aspects of our analysis is how remote work affects Software Engineer salaries in New York:
| Work Arrangement | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Onsite | $165,116 | 414 |
| Hybrid | $164,312 | 319 |
| Remote | $131,968 | 79 |
Surprisingly, remote positions pay about 20% less than onsite roles in New York. This might seem counterintuitive, but there are several factors at play. Candidates now favor guaranteed cash over stock-based compensation, choosing cash-heavy offers at established firms over stock-heavy packages at late-stage startups, especially without clear liquidity paths.
Onsite roles often come with additional benefits and the ability to negotiate higher base salaries due to New York’s high cost of living.
Seniority Level
The progression from entry-level to manager represents a 121% increase in compensation, highlighting the exponential value of leadership capabilities in the software engineering field. This data provides insights into the potential for career advancement and salary growth in the profession, including roles such as technical lead, engineering manager, and principal engineer.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that Principal Engineers earn nearly as much as Lead positions, reflecting New York’s recognition of the individual contributor track as equally valuable to the management track.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, NY | $234,000 | $112.50 |
| Brooklyn | $168,195 | $80.86 |
| New York City | $167,819 | $80.68 |
| Queens | $148,369 | $71.34 |
| Bronx | $147,809 | $71.06 |
| Brentwood | $124,800 | $60.00 |
| Manhattan | $119,633 | $57.52 |
| Troy | $105,000 | $50.48 |
| Melville | $103,010 | $49.52 |
| Rochester | $85,823 | $41.26 |
Austin, New York, surprisingly leads with the highest Software Engineer salaries in the state, offering significantly higher Software Engineering wages than even New York City. This may be attributed to a concentration of tech companies establishing satellite offices outside the main metropolitan area to balance talent costs with access to NYC’s talent pool.
The average salary for a Software Engineer in New York City is $157,762 according to other sources, which aligns closely with our findings. Brooklyn and NYC proper offer competitive salaries, reflecting the premium companies pay to attract talent in these high-cost areas.
Top Paying Companies in New York
Here are the companies that consistently offer above-average salaries for software engineers in New York, representing some of the highest paying Software Engineering jobs in the state:
Highest Paying Employers
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Goliath Partners | $587,500 | $282.45 |
| Netflix | $445,000 | $213.94 |
| Anthropic | $382,500 | $183.90 |
| Pinwheel | $355,000 | $170.67 |
| Magic | $325,000 | $156.25 |
| Saragossa | $309,400 | $148.75 |
| Meta | $303,000 | $145.67 |
| BioTalent | $265,818 | $127.80 |
| Decagon | $260,000 | $125.00 |
| LM Studio | $250,000 | $120.19 |
| Rilla | $250,000 | $120.19 |
| Tinder | $245,000 | $117.79 |
| Roku | $244,167 | $117.39 |
| Capital One | $242,750 | $116.71 |
| Thrivve by Intelletec | $238,750 | $114.79 |
Despite industry shifts, the highest-paying jobs remain in big tech and high-margin companies. While AI companies are growing, they haven’t overtaken traditional top payers like Google, Meta, or hedge funds.
These organizations span diverse industry sectors including AI/ML companies, entertainment platforms, financial services, and specialized technical services, indicating strong demand for software engineering expertise across multiple industries. The presence of AI-focused companies like Anthropic and Magic in the top tier reflects the premium placed on cutting-edge technical expertise.
How to Maximize Your Software Engineer Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive salary survey data analysis, we recommend the following strategies to optimize your Software Engineer salary in New York:
- Target the 2-3 Year Experience Sweet Spot – This is where most opportunities exist and significant salary growth occurs
- Consider Geographic Arbitrage – Cities like Austin, NY, and Brooklyn offer premium compensation packages
- Develop AI Integration Skills – The demand for AI literacy has risen, with 63.2% of professional developers using AI tools in their workflow. Being able to effectively and ethically leverage AI to increase productivity is a desirable skill that may help you stand out.
- Focus on Leadership Track – Progression to senior and management roles offers the highest compensation potential
Explore our detailed article on the in-demand software engineering skills required in 2025
Future Trends in Software Engineering Salaries
The software engineering field in New York continues to evolve. Over the next decade, the software engineer growth rate will continue to shift, shaped by AI and global developer needs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software development roles are projected to grow 17% from 2023 to 2033, adding approximately 327,900 jobs.
Engineers who develop expertise in these emerging areas are likely to command premium salaries as New York companies compete for talent with specialized knowledge.
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 818 publicly available software engineering salaries in New York State. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analyzed to identify trends and calculate average and median figures. The data analysis was completed in 2025, providing the most up-to-date information on how much software engineers make in New York.
Conclusion
The software engineering profession offers exceptional earning potential across New York, with the median Software Engineer salary reaching $165,000 USD annually. While education provides a foundation, experience and specialization significantly influence salary levels. Location choices within New York and company selection have equally important impacts on total compensation.
For those exploring software engineering careers or looking to advance in their current roles, a strategic approach combining technical skill development, AI integration capabilities, and leadership skills is essential. Understanding salary trends and market dynamics will help you negotiate competitive total compensation packages and advance your career effectively.
The New York software engineering market rewards both technical excellence and business acumen, making it one of the most lucrative locations for software professionals in the United States. By staying informed about software engineer earnings and the evolving landscape of software engineering roles, professionals can position themselves for success in this dynamic field.
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