Technology salaries vary widely by role, location, and experience level, but most tech positions pay significantly more than the median U.S. household income

A software engineer in San Francisco might earn $180,000 to $220,000 annually, while the same role in a smaller city could pay $90,000 to $130,000. A cloud systems administrator in the Midwest might start at $65,000 and reach $110,000 with five years of experience. A cybersecurity analyst in a major metropolitan area could earn $95,000 to $150,000. These numbers shift based on the specific job title, the company size, whether you work remotely, and how many years you have been in the field.

The data comes from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, PayScale, and LinkedIn Salary, though each tracks slightly different populations and updates on different schedules. If you are researching a specific role, check multiple sources — they often disagree by $10,000 to $30,000 because they measure different groups of workers.

Key Takeaways

  • Entry-level tech roles (help desk, junior developer, junior cloud engineer) typically start between $50,000 and $75,000 in most U.S. regions.
  • Mid-level positions (software engineer, systems administrator, network engineer) generally range from $90,000 to $150,000 depending on location and company size.
  • Senior and specialized roles (senior architect, security engineer, engineering manager) often exceed $150,000, with some reaching $250,000 or more in high-cost cities.
  • Remote work has compressed geographic pay gaps — remote positions often pay closer to major-city rates even if you live elsewhere.
  • Certifications like AWS, Azure, or Security+ can add $5,000 to $15,000 to your starting salary, though the boost depends on the specific role and employer.

Entry-level positions: what you earn in your first tech job

Entry-level roles include help desk technician, junior software developer, junior cloud engineer, and junior systems administrator. Most of these positions require either a relevant degree, a bootcamp certificate, or a foundational certification like CompTIA A+. Salaries typically range from $50,000 to $75,000 annually in most U.S. markets, though this varies by region and company.

Help desk roles tend to be on the lower end of that range — often $45,000 to $65,000 — because they require less specialized knowledge. Junior developer and junior cloud engineer positions usually start at $60,000 to $80,000. In expensive cities like San Francisco, New York, or Seattle, entry-level salaries can be $15,000 to $25,000 higher. In lower-cost regions, they may be $10,000 to $20,000 lower.

Many entry-level positions also include benefits that add to the total package: health insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and sometimes tuition reimbursement for certifications. Some employers offer signing bonuses of $2,000 to $5,000 for entry-level hires, though this is less common than at senior levels.

Mid-level roles: the jump from junior to experienced

Mid-level positions typically require three to seven years of experience. These include software engineer (not junior), systems administrator, network engineer, cloud engineer, database administrator, and quality assurance engineer. Salaries at this level range from $90,000 to $150,000 in most markets, with significant variation by location and company type.

A mid-level software engineer at a startup might earn $100,000 to $140,000 plus stock options. The same role at a large tech company like Google, Microsoft, or Amazon might pay $130,000 to $180,000 base salary plus bonuses and stock. A mid-level systems administrator at a regional company might earn $85,000 to $120,000. A mid-level cloud engineer with AWS or Azure expertise might earn $110,000 to $160,000.

At this level, total compensation often includes a performance bonus (10 to 20 percent of base salary), stock options or restricted stock units, and more generous benefits. The bonus and stock can add $20,000 to $50,000 or more to your annual earnings, depending on company performance and your role.

Senior and specialized roles: where the highest salaries are

Senior positions require seven or more years of experience and often include titles like senior software engineer, senior architect, engineering manager, security engineer, or principal engineer. These roles typically pay $150,000 to $250,000 or more, with significant variation based on company size, industry, and location.

A senior software engineer at a major tech company might earn $180,000 to $280,000 in base salary plus $50,000 to $150,000 in stock and bonus. A security engineer with specialized expertise might earn $140,000 to $220,000. An engineering manager overseeing a team might earn $160,000 to $250,000. In high-cost cities, these figures are often 20 to 40 percent higher. In lower-cost regions, they may be 20 to 30 percent lower.

At senior levels, stock and bonus often make up 30 to 50 percent of total compensation. A senior engineer with a $200,000 base salary might receive another $100,000 in stock and bonus, bringing total compensation to $300,000. This is why the difference between base salary and total compensation matters more at senior levels.

How location affects what you earn

The same job title pays differently in different places. A software engineer in San Francisco, New York, or Seattle typically earns 30 to 50 percent more than the same role in Austin, Denver, or Portland. That same role in a smaller city or rural area might pay 40 to 60 percent less than the major tech hubs.

This gap has narrowed somewhat since remote work became common. Many companies now pay remote workers based on a national or regional scale rather than the cost of living in their specific city. A remote software engineer working from Kansas City might earn the same as one in Austin, even though Kansas City has a lower cost of living. However, some companies still adjust pay based on where you live, so this varies by employer.

If you are considering relocating for a tech job, research the specific company's pay practices. Some companies publish salary bands by location. Others use a single national rate. A few still adjust based on your zip code, which can mean a significant difference in take-home pay.

How certifications affect your starting salary

Certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Azure Administrator, CompTIA Security+, or Certified Kubernetes Administrator can increase your starting salary, but the boost depends on the specific role and employer. On average, a relevant certification adds $5,000 to $15,000 to your first-year salary compared to someone without it in the same role.

The boost is usually largest for infrastructure and cloud roles. An AWS certification might add $8,000 to $12,000 to a cloud engineer's starting salary. A Security+ certification might add $5,000 to $10,000 to a help desk or junior security role. For software development roles, certifications matter less — employers care more about your portfolio and coding ability than credentials.

Certifications also matter more at larger companies and in regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and government. A startup might not care whether you have an AWS certification. A financial services company or government contractor might require it or pay significantly more if you have it. If you are pursuing a certification, research whether employers in your target role and industry actually value it before investing the time and money.

Salary growth: what to expect as you advance

Most tech workers see salary increases of 10 to 20 percent when they move to a new company or get promoted. Staying at the same company typically results in smaller raises — often 3 to 5 percent annually. This is why many tech workers change jobs every three to five years: the salary bump from switching companies is usually larger than staying put.

A junior developer earning $70,000 might move to a mid-level role at a different company for $95,000 to $110,000 — a 35 to 57 percent increase. A mid-level engineer earning $120,000 might move to a senior role for $160,000 to $180,000 — a 33 to 50 percent increase. These jumps are common in tech because companies often pay more to hire experienced people from outside than to promote from within.

Your salary growth also depends on the specific technology you work with. Expertise in high-demand areas like machine learning, cloud infrastructure, or security tends to command higher salaries and faster growth. Expertise in older or less-demanded technologies may grow more slowly.

What affects salary beyond job title and location

Company size and type matter significantly. A software engineer at a Fortune 500 company typically earns more than one at a small startup, though startups sometimes offer larger stock packages that could be worth more long-term. A tech company usually pays more than a non-tech company for the same role — a software engineer at Google earns more than a software engineer at a bank, even though both are large organizations.

Industry also affects pay. Financial services, healthcare technology, and government contracting typically pay more than education, nonprofits, or media. A cybersecurity engineer at a bank might earn $140,000 to $180,000, while the same role at a nonprofit might pay $80,000 to $110,000.

Your negotiation skills matter too. Many tech workers accept the first offer without negotiating, but research shows that negotiating your starting salary by 10 to 20 percent is common and often successful. A $10,000 increase on a $100,000 offer compounds over your career — if you get 3 to 5 percent raises annually, that extra $10,000 becomes $15,000 to $20,000 more per year within five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a degree to earn a competitive tech salary?

No. Many tech companies hire based on skills and experience rather than formal education. A bootcamp graduate or someone with relevant certifications and a strong portfolio can earn the same as a computer science graduate in entry-level and mid-level roles. However, some large companies and government contractors require a degree, so check job postings for your target roles and employers.

How much does remote work affect salary?

Remote work has generally increased salaries for workers outside major tech hubs because companies now compete nationally for talent. However, some companies still adjust pay based on your location. Ask during the interview process whether the company uses a national pay scale or adjusts based on where you live.

What's the difference between base salary and total compensation?

Base salary is what you are paid in cash. Total compensation includes base salary plus bonus, stock options or restricted stock units, health insurance, 401(k) matching, and other benefits. At senior levels, total compensation can be 50 to 100 percent higher than base salary. Always ask for total compensation figures, not just base salary.

How often do tech salaries increase?

Most tech companies give annual raises of 3 to 5 percent if you stay in the same role. Promotions typically come with 15 to 30 percent raises. Changing companies usually results in 10 to 20 percent increases. The fastest salary growth usually happens in the first five to seven years of your career.

Does the specific technology I learn affect how much I'll earn?

Yes. High-demand skills like cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), Kubernetes, machine learning, and cybersecurity typically command higher salaries than older or less-demanded technologies. However, demand shifts over time, so focus on learning skills that are relevant to the roles you want, not just the highest-paying ones.