What is the salary of a Software Developer?

It is important to know how much you’re earning when starting a job, why you may be earning that salary and what you can do to earn a higher salary. Software developers can earn a substantial amount, but there are some factors that can affect this.

How much does a Software Developer earn?

The salary for a Software Developer can start from £25,000 and go up to £85,000 for an experienced Software Developer. The national average salary for a Software Developer is £50,000. However, the starting salary for a Software Developer can range from £26,000 to £32,000 depending on location.

The salary of a Software Developer can vary due to several factors, one of them being the company you work for. Although most companies will offer a reasonable salary, some may differ, and this could be due to the industry the company is in. Companies that need Software Developers aren’t always tech companies, they are employed in virtually all industry sectors such as construction, elder care, politics and government, non-profit, fashion and retail. Another factor contributing to your salary is the location of your job and how experienced you are as a Software Developer.

What is the range of salaries for a Software Developer?

Experiences

Similar to other jobs, the more experience you have, the more you will earn. The salary of a Software Developer who is at entry level has a ranging salary from £26,000 - £36,000, and the average salary is £32,000. The salary of a Software Developer who is mid-career has a ranging salary from £32,000 - £60,000, and the average salary is £50,000. The salary of a Software Developer who is at a senior level has a ranging salary from £48,000 - £85,000, and the average salary is £62,000.

Locations

Location can have a big impact on the salary you receive, some of the reasons as to why they vary so much can be due to the difference in the cost of living in those cities and the value people working in the same jobs in different places bring to the economy, some cities may be home to many highly skilled software developers compared to others. Below you can see how much salaries can vary at different experience levels:

What is the entry-level salary of a Software Developer?

London - £48,000
Remote - £32,000
North England - £32,500
South East - £32,500
Scotland - £28,000

What is the mid-career salary of a Software Developer?

London - £62,000
Remote - £55,000
North England - £52,000
South East - £59,000
Scotland - £46,000

What is the senior-level salary of a Software Developer?

London - £75,000
Remote - £63,000
North England - £55,000
South East - £68,000
Scotland - £55,000

What skills can affect the salary of a Software Developer?

In order to earn more money being a Software Developer, you have to be more experienced. Another way to earn more money being a Software Developer is by having a variety of skills that you can translate into your work, these skills being programming languages such as Java, Python and .Net and more. These skills will also enable you to build up a portfolio of experience to show to employers and clients.

Due to the increase in technology, there is more of a demand for Software Developer in all industries. This creates many opportunities for individuals who want to enter the industry as a Software Developer and wages have the potential to rise as demand increases.

What are the salaries for a Software Developer contractor?

It is noticeable how much more contractors earn than an employee, especially Software Developers. Contractors charge more for their service, pay less in taxes and can deduct their expenses. The UK average daily rate for Software Developer contractors in 2023 is £500 which is a 10% increase from 2021. Below are the salaries of Software Developer contractors and how much they can earn in different locations:

London - £560 a day
Remote - £500 a day
North England - £560 a day
South East - £415 a day
Scotland - £460 a day

In this article, you can see the difference in how much you can earn as a Software Developer compared to a Software Developer contractor, and the difference between a Software Developer’s salary and a Software Developer contractor's salary.

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