Are Software Engineers Underpaid in 2023?
Are Software Engineers Underpaid
Software engineering has emerged as one of the most in-demand and fastest-growing careers in recent years. With prestigious technology companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon paying top dollar to attract talent, it may seem on the surface that software engineers are raking in generous salaries.
Are Software Engineers Underpaid?
Software engineer salaries have risen rapidly in recent years, with average pay now over $100,000 at top technology companies. However, some argue that long working hours and high-stress levels mean software engineers deserve even higher compensation. Overall, with their high pay and strong job demand, most experts would not consider software engineers to be underpaid at this time.
Looking at factors like average pay, work demands, geographic differences, and comparison to related fields, we will analyze whether software engineers are fairly paid currently or if gaps in compensation exist.
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Average Software Engineer Salaries
According to data from Glassdoor, the average base salary for a software engineer in the United States is around $110,000 per year.
This puts their income well above the median household income and in the top 15% of all occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
However, software engineer salaries have a high degree of variability based on factors like:
Location
Engineers working in high-cost-of-living tech hubs like San Francisco and New York City earn 35-40% more on average.
Experience
Entry-level engineers straight out of college can expect to earn between $70,000 and $90,000, while senior engineers with 5+ years of experience can make up to $200,000 to $300,000 at top companies.
Specific Role
Specialized roles like machine learning or hardware engineering tend to pay 10-20% more than general software developers.
Company
FAANG companies (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google) pay the top salaries with senior engineers earning $350,000 or more in total compensation.
The rise of remote work over the past few years has also led to higher pay for software engineers by expanding opportunities to work for the highest-paying tech companies from anywhere.
Work Demands and Stress
The generous salaries in the software engineering field come with high demands and stress levels required to thrive in the role.
Software engineers routinely work long hours leading up to product launches or project milestones. Crunch periods of 50-60+ hours per week are common in order to meet tight deadlines.
Being “always on” to fix bugs, provide support, and respond to messages is also part of the job.
While some software engineers enjoy and thrive under high-pressure environments, the intense workload can lead to burnout and high turnover rates.
Studies show software engineers at companies compared to other professional fields. Firms must ensure engineers receive proper compensation and work-life balance practices to prevent fatigue.
Comparison to Similar High-Paying Fields
When looking beyond just the nominal salary amounts, how does software engineer compensation stack up to other highly paid, demanding professional roles?
Doctors
Physicians make nearly double the salary of even senior software engineers. The average doctor earns over $200,000 per year, with some specialist surgeons making $500,000 or more.
Lawyers
Attorneys at top firms can out-earn software engineers significantly, with big law partners billing over $1,000 per hour.
Consultants
Management and IT consultants earn 20-30% higher salaries than software professionals in equivalent roles.
Finance
Corporate bankers and hedge fund managers regularly make millions per year in total compensation.
Considering software engineering powers so much of the modern economy, some argue engineers should be paid at levels comparable to these other elite professions they often work alongside. More data analysis on compensation ratios could shed light on any gaps.
Factors Influencing Software Engineer Salaries
Many complex factors determine what software engineers are paid at any given company. Here are some of the key elements that impact tech salaries:
Programming Languages
Engineers with in-demand skills like Python, JavaScript, and Java tend to earn 5-10% more than average—language trends impact pay.
Education
While not always required, having a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or engineering correlates with higher salaries.
Specialized Skills
Knowledge of machine learning, cybersecurity, or mobile development leads to higher pay.
Leadership Role
Software engineers who manage teams or projects earn 20-30% more than individual contributors.
Company Size
Bigger tech firms pay more for top talent. Google pays over 50% more than smaller companies.
Geographic Market
Silicon Valley salaries are 20% higher than the US average. Other tech hubs also pay more.
Remote Work
Fully remote roles tend to pay 5-10% more than jobs based in expensive tech hubs.
Perspectives on Software Engineer Salaries
There are arguments on both sides of the debate around whether software engineer salaries are fair and competitive.
Underpaid Perspective
Software powers trillion-dollar companies but engineers see a fraction of that value. Engineers work long hours under intense pressure, increasing burnout risk.
Top engineers are still paid far less than comparably educated doctors and lawyers. Senior engineers are underpaid relative to the revenue they generate for companies.
Fairly Paid Perspective
Average salaries are 2X the median national income and keep rising. Benefits like stock options, bonuses, and perks add substantially to compensation.
Many engineers only work 40-50 hours per week, not excessively. Short tenures indicate engineers switch jobs for higher pay, not underpayment.
I can earn more by gaining management and leadership experience. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, with pay being fair for junior roles but gaps potentially emerging at the senior level.
Regional Differences in Software Engineer Salaries
Where you work as a software engineer significantly impacts your earnings potential. Below is a comparison of average software developer salaries by major US tech hub:
| City | Average Base Salar |
| San Francisco, CA | $142,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $138,000 |
| New York, NY | $135,000 |
| Boston, MA | $121,000 |
| Austin, TX | $118,000 |
| Washington DC | $115,000 |
| Denver, CO | $108,000 |
| National Average | $105,000 |
As evidenced above, living and working in a major tech center like San Francisco or Seattle results in a 30-40% higher salary on average.
However, with remote work gaining popularity, some companies adjust pay based on employee location. This could lead to more even salaries across regions in the future.
Conclusion: Are Software Engineers Underpaid in 2023?
Given the specialized skills and high demands of the role, software engineer salaries appear generally strong, especially for those at entry and mid-career levels.
Senior engineers may still be underpaid relative to the value they provide and compared to top earners in other fields.
The continued massive growth of the software industry gives engineers increasing leverage to advocate for fair, competitive pay and benefits.
But overall, most data suggests software professionals earn excellent incomes compared to typical workers.
Claims of broad underpayment seem overstated currently, but more research is needed on senior-level gaps.
With remote work expanding access to top-paying firms and technology’s growing economic influence, software engineers will continue earning among the highest salaries of any profession.
Ongoing attention to work-life balance and targeted pay improvements will be key to attracting and retaining top talent in the field.
