Expert Software Engineer salary in Chattanooga, TN
Based on 19 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV 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 | $129,021 |
| 25th | $130,936 |
| 50th (median) | $130,936 |
| 75th | $145,375 |
| 90th | $166,626 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $116,500 | $107,770 | $129,465 | 16 |
| FY2021 | $108,451 | $108,451 | $132,000 | 17 |
| FY2022 | $122,616 | $107,973 | $140,000 | 21 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2024 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2025 | $130,936 | $129,468 | $141,684 | 12 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 7 |
Cost of living
Chattanooga's median expert Software Engineer salary of $130,936 is worth about $143,200 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 $130,936, 23% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna-Evernorth Services | too few | 7 |
| BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee | too few | 3 |
| MedImpact Healthcare Systems | too few | 2 |
| UNUM Group | 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.