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Salary Report · Updated 2025

Software Engineer Salary
in New York, NY

📍 New York, NY 📅 May 2025 data 👥 Based on 14,200+ data points 🔄 Source: BLS OEWS 2024
$145k
Median annual base salary · Software Engineer · New York, NY · 2025
25th Percentile
$118k
Median (50th)
$145k
75th Percentile
$171k
Total Comp
$172k
Full percentile breakdown — annual base salary
10th
$98k
25th
$118k
50th
$145k
75th
$171k
90th
$200k

Software Engineer Salaries in New York

Software Engineers in New York, NY earn significantly above the national median, reflecting the city's high cost of living and intense competition for tech talent. The median base salary of $145,000 is 17% higher than the national median of $124,000 for the same role.

New York's tech sector has grown rapidly, with major employers including Google, Meta, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and hundreds of fintech startups all competing for engineering talent. The financial services sector in particular pays a premium for engineers with experience in low-latency systems, distributed infrastructure, and quantitative computing.

Engineers specializing in machine learning, AI, and cloud infrastructure can expect to earn 20–35% above the median. Full-stack engineers with strong product intuition remain in high demand across NYC's growing startup ecosystem.

By Experience Level

LevelMedian
Entry (0–2 yrs)$104k
Mid (3–6 yrs)$145k
Senior (7–12 yrs)$196k
Lead / Staff$239k

Total Compensation Breakdown

Base salary is only part of the picture for Software Engineers in New York. Most tech companies offer annual bonuses of 10–15% of base, plus equity (RSUs or options) that can add 15–25% to total annual compensation.

ComponentAmount% of Total
Base Salary$145,00084%
Annual Bonus (avg)$17,40010%
Equity / RSUs (est.)$9,6006%
Total Compensation$172,000100%

Negotiation Tips for NYC Software Engineers

When negotiating your Software Engineer salary in New York, always anchor your ask to the 75th percentile ($171k) rather than the median. Most employers build 10–15% negotiation room into their initial offers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary in New York?
The median Software Engineer salary in New York, NY is $145,000 per year in 2025. Salaries range from $98,000 at the 10th percentile to $200,000 at the 90th percentile depending on experience, company size, and specialization.
How much does a senior Software Engineer make in New York?
A Senior Software Engineer in New York earns a median of $196,000 per year. Total compensation including bonus and equity typically reaches $240,000–$280,000 at FAANG and top-tier companies.
Is $145k a good salary for a Software Engineer in NYC?
$145k is exactly the median — 50% of Software Engineers in NYC earn more and 50% earn less. To be in the top 25%, you'd need $171k or above. FAANG and financial sector companies typically pay 40–60% above market median.
How does NYC Software Engineer salary compare to San Francisco?
San Francisco Software Engineers earn a median of $165,000 — about 14% more than NYC's $145,000. However, San Francisco has a significantly higher cost of living, so on a cost-adjusted basis the difference narrows considerably.
What skills increase Software Engineer salary in New York?
Machine learning and AI skills add $25–40k above median in NYC. Cloud architecture (AWS, GCP), distributed systems design, and experience with high-frequency trading infrastructure (at banks/hedge funds) are the highest-premium skills in the New York market.