Software Developer Hourly Rates in the USA in 2024

Software developers are in high demand in the United States, fueling strong growth in their hourly rates. This article analyzes current software developer rates in the USA, compares them to other major tech talent markets globally, and projects future trends.

The rapid demand growth for software developers has fueled a steady rise in their hourly rates in the USA over the past 5 years. Below is a comparison of average hourly rates by programming language and specialization since 2020.

According to PayScale data, the average hourly rate in the United States for software developers is $45.53 as of February 2024. Rates vary significantly based on role, experience, skills, and location.

Frontend developers earn slightly less than backend developers - $44.22 vs $46.31 per hour on average. Full-stack developers command the highest rates, at $47.32 per hour on average.

Average hourly rates also depend on the size of the company they work for. In general, larger companies tend to offer higher rates due to their greater resources and ability to attract top talent.

Here is the average hourly wage for developers by company size in the US.

Note that these are averages and actual developer rate per hour can vary significantly based on factors like location, experience, and skills. Startups may offer lower cash compensation but provide equity to attract talent, while big tech giants often pay well above market hourly software rates.

A software developer's qualifications, including their education, certifications, and years of experience, also greatly impact their programming hourly rate. Here's a breakdown of average rates in the US by qualification level.

Specialized skills and certifications in high-demand areas like machine learning, cloud computing, and cybersecurity can also significantly boost a middle hourly wage.

Certain cities stand out as major tech hubs, offering the highest average hourly pay in the US for software engineers.

San Francisco leads as the highest paying, with an average software engineer hourly rate of $70-$90, followed closely by Seattle at $60-$80 per hour. New York City ($55-$75), Boston ($50-$70), and Austin ($45-$65) round out the top 5 highest-paying US cities for software development cost per hour.

These hourly rates can vary based on experience, skills, company, and the cost of living in each city. When evaluating opportunities, software engineers should consider the full compensation package along with factors like career growth prospects, company culture, and overall quality of life in addition to the average hourly pay.

Among other major English-speaking tech talent markets, Canada averages $41.60 per hour, the UK $38.01 per hour, and Australia $37.30 per hour.

In the European Union, Danish and German software engineers earn similar rates to their American counterparts, while Spain, Italy, and countries in Eastern Europe offer large cost savings to outsourcers.

India has become a top destination for IT outsourcing with offshore rates for software development as low as $25 per hour for experienced coders. However, turnover is often high and communication can be challenging. The following table summarizes average software developer hourly rate globally:

As technology continues its ubiquity across all industries, demand for software developers in the US is expected to grow at a rapid pace. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 22% 10-year job growth for software developers, much faster than average. This intense competition for talent is likely to place continued upward pressure on hourly rates for software developers.

This intense competition for talent is likely to place continued upward pressure on hourly rates. By 2024, the average software developer rate in the US could surpass $50 per hour, with specialized roles and tech hubs continuing to pay significant premiums.

In the long term, remote work options may lower pay per hour by geography as talent markets level off globally. However, Silicon Valley and other dynamic tech hubs continue to offer unparalleled opportunities for career advancement, networking, and innovation ecosystems. This enduring appeal will support their hourly software development rate premium.

Software developers are highly coveted professionals in the USA, fueling pay rates that are among the highest globally. While global talent markets and economic fluctuations may impact rates at the margins, intense demand is likely to sustain rapid growth in developer hourly pay over the coming decade across specialized roles, experience levels, and top tech hub locations.

If you want to know the hourly rates for developers in the USA, the team at ODC can help you find a specialist to fit your budget.