What the numbers say
About 29,550 Software Developers work in the Minneapolis metro, making it one of the larger tech labor pools in the Midwest. The median annual wage came in at $129,430 in 2024, roughly 4% above the Minnesota median of $124,540. That is a meaningful gap for a state where Minneapolis and its suburbs account for the bulk of tech employment.
The national median tells a different story. At $138,520, the US figure runs about $9,000 above what Minneapolis developers earned at the midpoint. That gap reflects the weight of very high-paying coastal markets in the national number. Minneapolis sits comfortably above many mid-sized metros, but it does not close the distance to San Francisco or Seattle at the median.
The spread within the metro is wide. Developers at the 10th percentile earned $80,740, while those at the 90th pulled in $167,350. Top earners made roughly twice what the lowest-paid did. That kind of range usually points to significant differences in seniority, specialization, and the industries doing the hiring. Financial services, medical technology, and retail technology firms all operate large engineering teams in the Twin Cities area, and compensation varies considerably across those sectors.
One detail worth noting: the mean annual wage of $125,980 runs below the median of $129,430. That is the reverse of what we see in most large metros, where a cluster of very high earners pulls the average above the midpoint. In Minneapolis, the distribution leans toward the middle rather than the top.
Salary distribution
Where Minneapolis software developers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $103,040 and $161,610, with a median of $130,920.
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 Minneapolis, Minnesota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in the Minneapolis metropolitan area is $130,920.
- Does Minneapolis pay more than the Minnesota state average for Software Developers?
- The Minneapolis metro median is +0.7% versus the Minnesota state median of $130,050.
- How does Minneapolis compare to the national median for Software Developers?
- The Minneapolis metro median is -8.4% versus the BLS national figure of $142,947.
- What is the salary range for Software Developers in Minneapolis?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $83,020 and the 90th-percentile at $170,060 for the Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis 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.