▼18%
$74,923
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$60k
MEDIAN
$75k
90%
$92k
The average salary for a Software Developer is $74,923 in 2025
Base Salary
$60k - $92k
Bonus
$507 - $10k
Profit Sharing
$0 - $5k
Total Pay
$63k - $103k
Is Average Early-Career Software Developer with Microsoft SQL Server Skills Salary in Chicago, Illinois your job title? Find out what you should be paid
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Software Developers?
What Do Software Developers Do?
Software Developer Tasks
- Write, modify, and debug software for client applications.
- Use source debuggers and visual development environments.
- Test and document software for client applications.
- Write code to create single-threaded, multi-threaded or user interface event driven applications, either stand-alone and those which access servers or services.
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Software Developer
Medical
87%
Dental
73%
Vision
60%
None
13%
Gender Breakdown for Software Developers
Male
90.9%
Female
9.1%
This data is based on 22 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Software Developers
What is the highest pay for Software Developers in Chicago?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Software Developer in Chicago is $92k / year
What is the lowest pay for Software Developers in Chicago?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Software Developer in Chicago is $60k / year
How can Software Developers increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Software Developer 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 Software Developer that oversees more junior Software Developers, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.