What the numbers say
About 16,740 Software Developers work in the Salt Lake City metro, making it one of the larger tech employment hubs in the Mountain West. The 2024 median annual wage came in at $128,350, nearly identical to the Utah state median of $127,390 and about 7% below the national figure of $138,520.
That gap with the national median is worth sitting with. Salt Lake City is not a low-paying market for this occupation, but it does not carry the premium that coastal metros typically do. Whether that gap narrows or holds will show up in the next BLS release.
The spread between lower and higher earners is substantial. Developers at the 10th percentile earned around $76,580 in 2024, while those at the 90th percentile reached $173,890. Top earners made about 2.3 times what the lowest earners did. That kind of range usually reflects real differences in seniority, specialization, and the types of employers in the area, not just cost-of-living noise.
One detail worth noting: the mean wage of $128,690 sits almost exactly at the median. When those two numbers are close, it tells us that very high earners are not pulling the average up by much. The distribution is relatively even across the range, at least compared to markets where a smaller group of senior engineers at top-tier firms skew the average well above the median.
Salary distribution
Where Salt Lake City software developers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $102,560 and $160,740, with a median of $129,600.
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 Salt Lake City, Utah?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area is $129,600.
- Does Salt Lake City pay more than the Utah state average for Software Developers?
- The Salt Lake City metro median is +0.6% versus the Utah state median of $128,810.
- How does Salt Lake City compare to the national median for Software Developers?
- The Salt Lake City metro median is -9.3% versus the BLS national figure of $142,947.
- What is the salary range for Software Developers in Salt Lake City?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $79,610 and the 90th-percentile at $177,090 for the Salt Lake 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.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Salt Lake 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.