▼14%
$129,949
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$96k
MEDIAN
$130k
90%
$161k
The average salary for a Senior Software Engineer is $129,949 in 2025
Base Salary
$96k - $161k
Bonus
$5k - $19k
Profit Sharing
$0 - $13k
Total Pay
$103k - $172k
Is Average Senior Software Engineer with Amazon Web Services (AWS) Skills Salary in Chicago, Illinois your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Senior Software Engineers?
What Do Senior Software Engineers Do?
Senior Software Engineer Tasks
- Test and document software for client applications.
- Guide and review work of junior engineers.
- Translate business requirements into technical specifications and help manage project priorities and timelines.
- Write, modify, and debug software for client applications.
- Use source debuggers and visual development environments.
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Senior Software Engineer
Medical
98%
Dental
90%
Vision
88%
None
2%
Gender Breakdown for Senior Software Engineers
Male
86.7%
Female
10.0%
Prefer to self-define
3.3%
This data is based on 30 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Senior Software Engineers
What is the highest pay for Senior Software Engineers in Chicago?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Senior Software Engineer in Chicago is $161k / year
What is the lowest pay for Senior Software Engineers in Chicago?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Senior Software Engineer in Chicago is $96k / year
How can Senior Software Engineers increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Senior Software Engineer is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Senior Software Engineer that oversees more junior Senior Software Engineers, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.