Today, software development is one of the most globalized professions in the world. Whether you're building mobile apps in Lagos, working on AI research in Toronto, or maintaining enterprise systems in Tokyo, you're part of a massive workforce shaping the digital economy.
But here's the question every developer, manager, and student asks at some point: how much do software developers earn across the world?
Now, the answer depends on where you live, the kind of company you work for, your level of experience, and even the sector you specialize in.
Salaries vary widely between countries and even within the same region. Some of these differences make perfect sense when you factor in the cost of living and the demand for talent, while others reflect historical quirks of local economies.
In this article, I take a look at global benchmarks for software developer salaries. I do not aim to give an exact number for every job title in every city, but rather to highlight patterns and averages that can guide your expectations.
These highlights are based on research and industry reports/surveys.
Why Salaries Vary So Much
Before diving into the numbers, let’s have an understanding of why developer salaries differ so much worldwide. Some key factors that come into play are:
1. Cost of Living
Salaries tend to rise in places where daily expenses are high. For instance, a developer in Zurich earns far more than one in Manila, but their rent and taxes are also much higher.
2. Local Demand vs. Supply
In regions with booming tech industries and relatively few developers, companies pay more to attract talent. In markets with large developer populations and less demand, salaries are lower.
3. Type of Employer
Working for a Silicon Valley giant, even remotely, usually pays more than working for a small local firm in a developing country.Startups sometimes pay less upfront but may offer equity.
4. Experience Level
Entry-level developers earn modest salaries everywhere, while senior engineers, architects, and specialists often see their compensation skyrocket, particularly in competitive markets.
5. Remote Work
Since 2020, remote work has reshaped the picture. Many developers in lower-paying countries now earn salaries closer to US or European levels by working directly for overseas companies.
Keeping these factors in mind, let's look at the benchmarks region by region.
North America
If we talk about high-paying software jobs, North America usually comes first. The United States, in particular, has long been the reference point for global tech salaries.
United States
The average salary for a mid-level software developer in the US sits between $110,000 and $130,000 per year. Senior developers can easily push into the $150,000 - $180,000 range, especially in tech-heavy cities like San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, and New York. At the very top end, specialized roles in machine learning, security, or large-scale distributed systems can command salaries well above $200,000, not including bonuses and stock options.
Location still matters. Developers in Silicon Valley typically earn more in raw numbers, but higher housing costs often offset that advantage. In contrast, developers in smaller US cities may earn slightly less but enjoy a lower cost of living.
Canada
Canada's salaries are lower than those in the US, but still competitive.
A mid-level developer earns between CAD 80,000 and CAD 110,000, while senior roles can reach about CAD 120,000 - 140,000. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are the main hubs, with Toronto being the most expensive but also offering the highest pay.
glassdoor.ca terminal.io reddit.com
Europe
Europe is a mixed bag. Western Europe offers strong salaries, while Eastern Europe has historically been seen as a hub for outsourcing due to lower labor costs.
Western Europe
- Switzerland: One of the best places for developer pay. Average salaries exceed CHF 100,000 per year. Even mid-level roles often start near that figure. The high wages match Switzerland's equally high cost of living.
- Germany: Developers typically earn €60,000 - €70,000 on average. Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt pay more than smaller cities. Senior developers can reach €90,000 - €100,000.
- Netherlands: Salaries range from €55,000 to €65,000, with Amsterdam offering higher pay.
- United Kingdom: In London, mid-level developers average £55,000 - £70,000, with senior engineers crossing £80,000. Outside London, salaries are 10 - 20 percent lower.
glassdoor.com nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Eastern Europe
- Poland: Averages range from €11,000 to €18,000 annually. However, remote contracts with US or Western European companies can triple that.
- Romania and Ukraine: Local salaries often sit between €15,000 and €25,000, but again, many developers supplement this with freelance or remote work at higher rates.
- Czech Republic: Developers earn €25,000 - €35,000 on average.
glassdoor.com (Poland) glassdoor.com (Romania)
It's worth noting that many Eastern European developers have shifted away from outsourcing firms and now work directly with international companies, narrowing the salary gap over time.
Asia
Asia spans everything from low-cost outsourcing centers to some of the most advanced tech economies in the world.
India
India is home to one of the largest developer populations globally. Average salaries for mid-level developers range between ₹6 - 10 lakh (about $7,000 - $12,000 USD). Senior developers in big cities like Bangalore or Hyderabad can reach ₹20 - 25 lakh ($24,000 - $30,000). While these numbers look low compared to US benchmarks, the cost of living in India is much lower.
China
China's salaries are rising quickly, particularly in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Developers in these cities average ¥200,000 - 300,000 ($28,000–$42,000 USD). Senior engineers at large tech firms earn far more, sometimes matching Western salaries when stock compensation is
included.
secondtalent.com glassdoor.com.au
Japan
Japan offers higher averages, with developers typically earning ¥5 - 8 million ($35,000 - $55,000 USD). Tokyo pays the most, but cultural expectations of long working hours sometimes offset the higher pay.
Singapore
Singapore is one of the most lucrative markets in Asia. Developers earn SGD 70,000 - 90,000 ($52,000 - $67,000 USD) on average. Senior roles easily cross SGD 120,000.
Southeast Asia
Countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines have growing tech industries. Salaries are relatively low compared to Western standards, ranging from $8,000 to $15,000 USD for mid-level developers, but opportunities are improving rapidly.
Latin America
Latin America is another region where local salaries are modest but remote work is changing the game.
- Brazil: Developers typically earn $15,000 - $25,000 USD per year. Sao Paulo and Rio pay the highest.
- Argentina: Average salaries fall between $12,000 and $20,000 USD.
Inflation and currency fluctuations complicate comparisons.
- Mexico: Mid-level developers earn $15,000 - $30,000 USD. Mexico City is the main hub, though Guadalajara also has a strong tech scene.
Many Latin American developers work remotely for US companies, often earning two to three times the local averages.
Africa
Africa's tech scene is still young but expanding quickly.
- Nigeria: Local salaries average between $5,000 and $10,000 USD for senior-level developers. Remote opportunities with international firms significantly raise potential earnings.
- Kenya: Salaries are in a similar range to Nigeria, often $6,000 - $12,000 USD. Nairobi is the primary hub.
- South Africa: Average salaries sit around ZAR 350,000 - 500,000 ($18,000-$26,000 USD). Cape Town and Johannesburg lead the way.
While the numbers are low compared to other regions, the pace of growth and international interest suggest steady upward movement.
Entry-Level vs. Senior Salaries
Averages can be misleading without looking at experience. Entry-level developers almost everywhere earn significantly less than senior engineers.
- United States: Entry-level salaries start around $70,000 - $80,000, while seniors often cross $150,000. indeed.com salary.com
- Germany: Juniors start near €40,000, seniors reach €90,000.
- India: Fresh graduates often start at ₹3 - 5 lakh ($4,000 - $6,000), while seniors at top companies can exceed ₹20 lakh.
The gap reflects both the growing value of experience and the shortage of truly senior engineers worldwide.
Remote Work's Impact
Perhaps the most important trend is the effect of remote work. Developers in lower-paying countries now routinely earn salaries pegged to US or European benchmarks by working remotely.
For example:
- A developer in Poland earning €25,000 locally may earn €60,000 working remotely for a German firm.
- An Indian developer paid $12,000 locally might secure $40,000–$50,000 from a US startup.
- African developers are increasingly hired by Western companies, doubling or tripling their income compared to local averages.
This shift has already started to blur regional salary boundaries, although cost-of-living differences still matter.
Looking ahead, this trend is likely to accelerate. As more companies adopt location-agnostic pay scales and competition for specialized skills intensifies, salaries in emerging markets may continue converging with Western benchmarks. While full parity is unlikely in the near term due to cost-of-living gaps, the next five years are expected to bring steady upward pressure on global developer pay, especially for roles in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud engineering.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
What the Numbers Don't Show
Raw salary numbers tell only part of the story. A few other factors affect how “good” a salary really is:
- Taxes: In high-tax countries such as Sweden and France, developers
often see a significant gap between their gross and net pay. For example, Sweden has one of the highest personal income tax burdens in the OECD, with marginal rates exceeding 40%. A software engineer earning €70,000 in Paris may take home less than a peer earning €55,000 in Dublin, due to differences in tax rates and social contributions.
- Benefits: Total compensation is not just salary. In the United States,
employer-provided health insurance alone is valued at an average of $7,739 annually for single coverage and $22,221 for family coverage. In contrast, European developers may benefit from universal healthcare but receive fewer cash-based perks. Stock options in tech companies can also add substantial value: Google’s average equity grant for software engineers is worth $30,000–$50,000 per year.
Kaiser Family Foundation, 2023 levels.fyi, 2025
- Work-Life Balance: Compensation must be weighed against work culture.
In Japan, for example, tech workers frequently report extremely long working hours, with 20% of employees working more than 80 hours of overtime per month—a phenomenon linked to karoshi (death from overwork). Meanwhile, countries like Germany and the Netherlands emphasize shorter workweeks and mandatory vacation, making slightly lower salaries potentially more valuable in terms of quality of life.
- Career Growth: Sometimes a lower-paying role can be the smarter choice
long-term. For instance, developers at early-stage startups may start with salaries 20–30% below market averages, but benefit from equity that can multiply their total compensation if the company succeeds. A 2023 survey by Carta found that startup employees hold equity stakes with a median value of $225,000, though payouts vary widely. Similarly, taking a role in a growing AI or fintech company—even at modest pay—can lead to rapid career progression and higher future earning potential compared to a stagnant role in a legacy enterprise.
Conclusion
So what should we take away from these benchmarks?
First, salaries for software developers vary enormously around the world, from less than $10,000 in some regions to well over $150,000 in others. These differences mostly reflect the cost of living and market demand, but remote work is increasingly levelling the playing field.
Second, averages hide a wide spread between junior and senior roles. The global shortage of experienced developers means that salaries climb sharply with expertise.
Finally, while it's tempting to compare raw numbers, the value of a salary depends heavily on where you live, your expenses, and the benefits tied to the job. A developer making $25,000 in Warsaw may live just as comfortably as one making $70,000 in London.
The bottom line: if you're a developer today, you're in a strong position globally. Salaries are rising, demand is growing, and remote work has opened opportunities that didn't exist a decade ago. The best move is to stay sharp, keep learning, and know your worth in the global market.
Ife Jeremiah
Ife Jeremiah is a software engineer focused on providing customer-centric solutions using software technology.
Article by Gigson Expert
