Software Engineer salary in Chattanooga, TN
Based on 105 certified H-1B filings in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Ooltewah, Apison, Chattanoonga, College Dale, Hixson.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $86,966 |
| 25th | $90,064 |
| 50th (median) | $110,510 |
| 75th | $129,565 |
| 90th | $141,025 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $78,146 | $74,339 | $97,901 | 133 |
| FY2021 | $79,000 | $78,150 | $107,973 | 125 |
| FY2022 | $79,000 | $79,000 | $102,000 | 155 |
| FY2023 | $100,000 | $85,946 | $121,546 | 91 |
| FY2024 | $87,000 | $83,200 | $116,000 | 91 |
| FY2025 | $110,510 | $88,500 | $130,202 | 59 |
| FY2026 | $110,555 | $90,064 | $128,894 | 46 |
Cost of living
Chattanooga's median Software Engineer salary of $110,510 is worth about $120,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chattanooga = 91.5).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Chattanooga, TN area earned a median of $106,750 in May 2025 (990 employed). The H-1B median here is $110,510, 4% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee | $91,509 | 24 |
| CGI | too few | 9 |
| Cigna-Evernorth Services | too few | 9 |
| UNUM Group | too few | 7 |
| Quinnox | too few | 6 |
| Accelerated Engineering | too few | 4 |
| Astec Industries | too few | 3 |
| The Heil | too few | 3 |
| Optum | too few | 2 |
| MedImpact Healthcare Systems | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $90,064 | 48 |
| Senior · Level III | $112,800 | 24 |
| Expert · Level IV | $130,936 | 19 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $86,944 | $90,064 | 48 |
| Senior · Level III | $110,510 | $112,800 | 24 |
| Expert · Level IV | $130,936 | $130,936 | 19 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.