Expert Software Engineer salary in Providence, RI
Based on 113 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Woonsocket, Smithfield, Johnston, Cumberland, Cranston.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $147,680 |
| 25th | $147,680 |
| 50th (median) | $158,974 |
| 75th | $178,131 |
| 90th | $199,270 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $127,336 | $113,150 | $135,994 | 60 |
| FY2021 | $135,000 | $128,212 | $150,000 | 37 |
| FY2022 | $149,992 | $129,655 | $170,850 | 36 |
| FY2023 | $164,000 | $151,000 | $181,423 | 33 |
| FY2024 | $176,761 | $163,654 | $198,861 | 14 |
| FY2025 | $170,956 | $158,482 | $190,275 | 35 |
| FY2026 | $152,666 | $147,680 | $177,579 | 78 |
Cost of living
Providence's median expert Software Engineer salary of $158,974 is worth about $156,200 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Providence = 101.8).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Providence, RI area earned a median of $130,690 in May 2025 (5,020 employed). The H-1B median here is $158,974, 22% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CVS Health | $175,924 | 45 |
| Fidelity Investments | $151,195 | 33 |
| Citizens Financial Group | too few | 8 |
| Mastech Digital | too few | 5 |
| Factory Mutual Insurance Company | too few | 5 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $90,480 | 49 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $110,500 | 248 |
| Senior · Level III | $135,600 | 126 |
| Expert · Level IV | $158,974 | 113 |
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 | $90,418 | $90,480 | 49 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $109,512 | $110,500 | 248 |
| Senior · Level III | $128,586 | $135,600 | 126 |
| Expert · Level IV | $147,680 | $158,974 | 113 |
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.