Expert Software Engineer salary in Phoenix, AZ
Based on 688 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $151,757 |
| 25th | $157,934 |
| 50th (median) | $160,000 |
| 75th | $175,306 |
| 90th | $190,765 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $124,800 | $118,602 | $134,844 | 590 |
| FY2021 | $125,000 | $119,477 | $138,807 | 581 |
| FY2022 | $136,552 | $125,000 | $150,000 | 734 |
| FY2023 | $144,100 | $136,552 | $158,000 | 457 |
| FY2024 | $153,201 | $145,000 | $165,000 | 430 |
| FY2025 | $157,934 | $151,757 | $174,322 | 364 |
| FY2026 | $162,080 | $157,934 | $178,094 | 324 |
Cost of living
Phoenix's median expert Software Engineer salary of $160,000 is worth about $154,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Phoenix = 103.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Phoenix, AZ area earned a median of $131,750 in May 2025 (29,380 employed). The H-1B median here is $160,000, 21% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| American Express | $168,133 | 122 |
| CVS Health | $171,962 | 32 |
| Wells Fargo | $151,757 | 19 |
| Deloitte | $157,934 | 17 |
| First Citizens Bank and Trust | $157,934 | 16 |
| Early Warning Services | $157,934 | 15 |
| Choice Hotels International Services | $157,934 | 14 |
| Citizens Financial Group | $151,757 | 13 |
| Insight Direct | $190,000 | 11 |
| Cognizant | too few | 9 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $87,651 | 699 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $111,072 | 2,308 |
| Senior · Level III | $135,000 | 942 |
| Expert · Level IV | $160,000 | 688 |
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 | $83,096 | $87,651 | 699 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $105,976 | $111,072 | 2,308 |
| Senior · Level III | $134,514 | $135,000 | 942 |
| Expert · Level IV | $157,934 | $160,000 | 688 |
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.