Software Engineer Salary by City 2026: Complete Guide

Software engineer salaries vary by 2–3x depending on where you work — and that gap hasn't closed. This guide aggregates real compensation data from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn Salary for 2025, with cost-of-living adjustments so you can make accurate comparisons. How to Read This Data All figures represent total compensation (TC) at the mid-level (L4–L5 equivalent) unless noted. TC = base salary + annual bonus + equity (annualized). Base-only numbers are roughly 60–70% of these figures at top companies. Tier 1: Highest-Paying Tech Markets San Francisco Bay Area Level Median TC Top 25% TC L3 (Junior) $195,000 $245,000 L4 (Mid) $285,000 $370,000 L5 (Senior) $410,000 $550,000 Staff+ $520,000 $750,000+ FAANG/top-tier companies push these figures significantly higher. A mid-level Google SWE (L4) can expect $380,000–$480,000 TC, while L5 roles at FAANG regularly exceed $600,000. Cost-of-living note: San Francisco rent averages $3,200/month for a 1BR. After taxes and living expenses, n