RateOrchard
METRO DATA PROFILE · 2025

Software Developers salary in New York City, New York

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the New York City metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated June 12, 2026
Median annual$166,830
Mean annual$165,870
Range (10th to 90th)$101,690 to $224,590
New York City, New York employment121,000
State vs national+16.7% vs national
Editorial commentary

What the numbers say

About 119,600 Software Developers worked in the New York City metro in 2024, making it one of the largest concentrations of the role in the country. The median annual wage was $161,970, roughly 17% above the national figure of $138,520.

The metro median and the New York state median are nearly identical: $161,970 versus $161,260. That means the city accounts for most of what the state number reflects. Developers outside New York City, in upstate metros and smaller markets, pull the state figure down only slightly.

One detail worth noting: the mean wage of $161,090 sits just below the median. That is unusual. In most large metros, a layer of very high earners pushes the average above the midpoint. Here the two figures are nearly the same, which suggests the wage distribution in New York City is fairly even across experience levels, without a small group of outliers driving the average up.

The spread from the 10th to 90th percentile runs from $97,420 to $220,780, a gap of about $123,000. Someone at the bottom of the range earns roughly 2.3 times less than someone at the top. That kind of spread is common in software roles and reflects real differences in seniority, specialization, and the type of employer, whether a startup, a bank, or a large tech company with offices in the metro.

Methodology. Drafted with AI assistance using Anthropic Claude, reviewed by Adrian Serafin against BLS Metro OES and O*NET source data. No fact appears that does not exist in the cited public datasets.

Salary distribution

Where New York City software developers fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$101,69025TH$130,650MEDIAN$166,83075TH$205,97090TH$224,590

The middle 50% of workers earn between $130,650 and $205,970, with a median of $166,830.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

Skill data from O*NET is not yet ingested for this occupation. We refresh this section when O*NET publishes a new release.

Common tasks (O*NET)

Task data from O*NET is not yet ingested for this occupation.

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Other metros in New York

How the New York City metro compares to other major New York metro areas for software developers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Software Developers in New York City, New York?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in the New York City metropolitan area is $166,830.
Does New York City pay more than the New York state average for Software Developers?
The New York City metro median is +0.4% versus the New York state median of $166,180.
How does New York City compare to the national median for Software Developers?
The New York City metro median is +16.7% versus the BLS national figure of $142,947.
What is the salary range for Software Developers in New York City?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $101,690 and the 90th-percentile at $224,590 for the New York City 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.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the New York City 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.