What the numbers say
About 9,360 Software Developers work in the St. Louis metro, which gives the occupation a real footprint here. The 2024 median annual wage was $120,490, roughly 5% above the Missouri median of $114,550 and a meaningful anchor point for anyone benchmarking a local offer.
Against the national figure, the gap runs the other way. The US median for Software Developers was $138,520 in 2024, about $18,000 above what St. Louis reports. That difference is worth factoring in for developers weighing a remote role with a coastal pay scale against an in-office St. Louis position.
The spread across earners tells a more layered story. The 10th percentile came in at $64,880 and the 90th at $166,510, so top earners here made roughly 2.5 times what those near the bottom of the range did. That kind of gap usually reflects experience and specialization: an entry-level developer writing internal tooling versus a senior engineer working on financial systems or healthcare software, two sectors with a notable presence in the St. Louis economy.
One detail worth noting: the mean annual wage of $118,920 sits just below the median of $120,490. In most metros the mean runs above the median, because a smaller group of very high earners pulls the average up. Here the reverse is true, which suggests the upper end of the distribution is less concentrated than it is in some coastal tech markets. For most developers in St. Louis, the median is a reliable estimate of what the middle of the market pays.
Salary distribution
Where St. Louis software developers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $101,670 and $156,320, with a median of $129,030.
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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How the St. Louis metro compares to other major Missouri metro areas for software developers.
- Kansas City$124,990
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Software Developers in St. Louis, Missouri?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in the St. Louis metropolitan area is $129,030.
- Does St. Louis pay more than the Missouri state average for Software Developers?
- The St. Louis metro median is +2.3% versus the Missouri state median of $126,120.
- How does St. Louis compare to the national median for Software Developers?
- The St. Louis metro median is -9.7% versus the BLS national figure of $142,947.
- What is the salary range for Software Developers in St. Louis?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $77,730 and the 90th-percentile at $169,030 for the St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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.