What the numbers say
With about 35,900 Software Developers employed in the metro, Atlanta ranks among the larger markets for this occupation in the Southeast. The 2024 median annual wage was $130,830, sitting roughly 1.5% above the Georgia median of $128,920. Both figures trail the national median of $138,520 by about 6%.
The mean and median are nearly identical here: $130,920 vs. $130,830. That's unusually close. In most metros, a smaller group of very high earners pulls the average well above the median. In Atlanta, that gap is minimal, which suggests the wage distribution is fairly even across experience levels rather than concentrated at the top.
The spread from bottom to top is still wide. Developers at the 10th percentile earned $79,720 in 2024, while those at the 90th earned $173,650. The top earners made about 2.2 times what the bottom earners made. That range reflects differences in job title, seniority, and the specific type of software work, not just tenure at a single company.
Georgia's state figure is pulled up partly by Atlanta itself, which accounts for the bulk of software developer employment in the state. Smaller Georgia metros tend to report lower wages, so the 1.5% premium Atlanta shows over the state median understates how much the metro drives the statewide number.
Salary distribution
Where Atlanta software developers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $104,640 and $164,200, with a median of $132,960.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
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Explore coursesFrequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Software Developers in Atlanta, Georgia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in the Atlanta metropolitan area is $132,960.
- Does Atlanta pay more than the Georgia state average for Software Developers?
- The Atlanta metro median is +1.5% versus the Georgia state median of $131,010.
- How does Atlanta compare to the national median for Software Developers?
- The Atlanta metro median is -7.0% versus the BLS national figure of $142,947.
- What is the salary range for Software Developers in Atlanta?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $83,400 and the 90th-percentile at $178,330 for the Atlanta metro area.
- What education is required for Software Developers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Atlanta CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.