Software Engineering Consultant Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Engineering Consultant make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Software Engineering Consultant in the United States is $104,455 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Software Engineering Consultant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $124,038
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,623 to $114,705
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $91,404
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View as table View as graph 25% $97,623 10% $91,404 90% $124,038 75% $114,705 $104,455 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Engineering Consultant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $114,705 $9,559 $2,206 $55
Average $104,455 $8,705 $2,009 $50
25th Percentile $97,623 $8,135 $1,877 $47
Check out Software Engineering Consultant Job Openings in the United States
SENIOR MANAGER SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

The Charles Schwab Corporation - Westlake, OH

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING DIRECTOR

The PNC Financial Services Group - Cleveland, OH

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING DIRECTOR

The PNC Financial Services Group - Strongsville, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Software Engineering Consultant Salaries

A Software Engineering 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.

How Experience Level Affects Software Engineering Consultant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Engineering 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $81,762
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $105,212
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $128,859
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $149,099
  • Expert (over 8 years): $171,371
Levels Salary
Software ... Level Software Engineering Consultant$81,762
Software ... Level Software Engineering Consultant$105,212
Software ... Level Software Engineering Consultant$128,859
Software ... Level Software Engineering Consultant$149,099
Software ... Level Software Engineering Consultant$171,371
$81,762 0 yr
$105,212 < 2 yrs
$128,859 2-4 yrs
$149,099 5-8 yrs
$171,371 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Software Engineering Consultant Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Engineering Consultants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $115,653.
  • California: $115,214.
  • Massachusetts: $113,678.

Top Paying Cities for Software Engineering Consultants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $131,749
  • San Francisco: $130,454
  • Oakland: $127,560

What Skills Can Increase a Software Engineering Consultant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.91% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • API (Mentioned in 3.77% Job Postings): An application programming interface is a way for two or more computer programs to communicate with each other. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software.
  • SQL (Mentioned in 2.75% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.91%
API 3.77%
SQL 2.75%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Software Engineering Consultant's salary.
  • API: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Open Source: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Software Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
API
$109,678
5%
Open Source
$109,678
5%
Software Engineering
$109,678
5%
Networking
$109,678
5%
Products and Services
$109,678
5%
Python
$109,678
5%
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How Education impacts a Software Engineering Consultant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Engineering 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 Engineering Consultant with a Bachelor's Degree is between $98,028 and $103,426).

Software Engineering Consultant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Engineering Consultant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 1.4%
Associates 1.7%
Bachelors 52.8%
Masters 41.3%
Doctorate 2.6%
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Software Engineering Consultant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Engineering 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, 2021

Salary Trends for Software Engineering Consultant

Salaries for a Software Engineering Consultant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $110,156 in 2023 to around $109,221 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Engineering Consultant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Engineering Consultant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$110,156
2024
$110,486
2025
$109,221
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $110,156
2024 $110,486
2025 $109,221
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Software Engineering Consultant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Software Engineering Consultant

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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