Entry-level Software Engineer salary in Memphis, TN
Based on 84 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Collierville, Cordova, Germantown, Olive Branch, Arlington.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $75,858 |
| 25th | $75,858 |
| 50th (median) | $78,686 |
| 75th | $85,139 |
| 90th | $90,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $65,000 | $61,000 | $73,350 | 24 |
| FY2021 | $78,021 | $61,000 | $78,021 | 33 |
| FY2022 | $80,000 | $60,500 | $80,000 | 31 |
| FY2023 | $69,742 | $62,000 | $80,000 | 25 |
| FY2024 | $75,858 | $70,860 | $85,000 | 87 |
| FY2025 | $76,000 | $75,858 | $85,015 | 55 |
| FY2026 | $79,000 | $78,686 | $85,467 | 29 |
Cost of living
Memphis's median entry-level Software Engineer salary of $78,686 is worth about $85,400 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Memphis = 92.2).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Memphis, TN area earned a median of $125,580 in May 2025 (2,270 employed). The H-1B median here is $78,686, 37% lower.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx | $79,560 | 15 |
| Cognier | too few | 5 |
| Exusia | too few | 5 |
| Slk America | too few | 4 |
| St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | too few | 4 |
| Limelightlogic | too few | 3 |
| Artifint Technologies | too few | 2 |
| AutoZone | too few | 2 |
| Dizer | too few | 2 |
| FedEx Freight | 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 | $78,686 | 84 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $97,386 | 324 |
| Senior · Level III | $116,106 | 228 |
| Expert · Level IV | $138,425 | 140 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $75,858 | $78,686 | 84 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $95,680 | $97,386 | 324 |
| Senior · Level III | $115,482 | $116,106 | 228 |
| Expert · Level IV | $134,805 | $138,425 | 140 |
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.