As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Software Engineer - Consultant in the United States is $171,190 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $82.
However, a Software Engineer - Consultant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
A Software Engineer - Consultant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Software Engineer - Consultant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 4-7 years | $128,705 |
| Software Developer IV | 7+ years | $148,920 |
| Software Engineer - Consultant | 7-10 years | $171,166 |
| Software Development Manager | 10+ years | $169,505 |
| Director of Software Engineering | 10+ years | $214,132 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Software Engineer - Consultants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 2.92% |
| Open Source | 3.61% |
| AWS | 2.75% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Innovation
|
$181,461 |
6%
|
|
Scrum
|
$178,038 |
4%
|
|
Initiative
|
$176,326 |
3%
|
|
Problem Solving
|
$176,326 |
3%
|
|
Linux
|
$174,614 |
2%
|
|
Python
|
$174,614 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Engineer - Consultants enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Software Engineer - Consultant with a Bachelor's Degree is between $168,044 and $176,857).
Software Engineer - Consultant Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.6% |
| High School | 2.5% |
| Associates | 2.0% |
| Bachelors | 43.2% |
| Masters | 43.9% |
| Doctorate | 7.8% |
Understanding how a Software Engineer - Consultant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 18, 2021For a Software Engineer - Consultant, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Development Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $169,510 - a projected growth of -1% over your current level.
Salaries for a Software Engineer - Consultant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $164,962 in 2023 to around $162,720 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Engineer - Consultant salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $164,962 |
| 2024 | $163,956 |
| 2025 | $162,720 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Software Engineer - Consultant and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Engineer - Consultant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
A good salary for a Software Engineer in the US ranges from $163,690 to $197,890, with a mid-salary of $179,890. This reflects the competitive nature of the field, where total compensation can vary significantly based on experience and location.
A Software Engineer Consultant typically earns between $163,690 and $197,890, with a median salary of $179,890. Salaries below $163,690 are considered outliers, while those above $197,890 also fall outside the typical range.
Software consultants can earn a substantial income, with salaries ranging from a minimum of $163,690 to a maximum of $197,890. The midpoint, or mid-salary, is approximately $179,890 per year, indicating that many professionals in this field enjoy competitive compensation.
The highest paying jobs in the world include roles like Data Scientist, Senior Software Engineer, and Investment Banker. For a Software Engineer - Consultant, salaries range from $163,690 to $197,890, with a mid-salary of $179,890. Other high-paying positions include Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Lawyer, and Surgeon, reflecting the competitive nature of these fields.
The highest salary for a Software Engineer - Consultant is $197,890. The salary range for this position typically starts at a minimum of $163,690, with a mid-level salary of $179,890. This indicates a competitive compensation structure for consultants in the software engineering field.
Consultants typically earn higher salaries than developers. For instance, a Software Engineer - Consultant has a salary range from $163,690 to $197,890, with a midpoint of $179,890. In contrast, developers usually earn less, making consulting a potentially more lucrative career path. Advancement opportunities also differ, with consultants moving into higher executive roles.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
