Here is everything you need to know about the earning potential for a software developer working in Maryland, Virginia or Washington, DC.
Software Developers fall into one of two categories within the Bureau of Labor Statistics, where the salary reports are pulled from:
- Software Developers, Applications: “Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team. May supervise computer programmers”
- Software Developers, Systems Software: “Research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications. Set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements. May design embedded systems software. Apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis.”
The numbers listed below represent the high, median and low salary for the entire state. This is important because even higher earning potential is available within the Baltimore-Washington parkway area and Northern VA, likely due to the increased number of government contractors and military installations in these areas. All of the amounts listed below are competitive with the national highs, lows and median, so you can’t go wrong with finding a software developer position anywhere in the Maryland, Virginia or Washington, DC area.
The map below provides a visual representation of how the salaries range throughout the region with the highest earning areas being the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MD Metro Area and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Area.
Average Salary For Software Developers Across The US
| High | Median | Low | |
| Software Developers, Applications | $161,290 | $103,620 | $61,660 |
| Software Developers, Systems Software | $166,960 | $110,000 | $66,740 |
Average Software Developer Salary In MD
| High | Median | Low | |
| Software Developers, Applications | $174, 110 | $100,510 | $52,800 |
| Software Developers, Systems Software | $183,260 | $118,300 | $66,270 |
Average Software Developer Salary In VA
| High | Median | Low | |
| Software Developers, Applications | $168,650 | $108,740 | $66,700 |
| Software Developers, Systems Software | $170,640 | $117,400 | $71,230 |
Average Software Developer Salary In DC
| High | Median | Low | |
| Software Developers, Applications | $155,590 | $113,750 | $73,660 |
| Software Developers, Systems Software | $162,540 | $115,500 | $70,830 |
Do You Want To Become A Software Developer?
It certainly pays to be a software developer in the Maryland, DC and Virginia Metropolitan Area and with a 21% job growth outlook, the opportunity is also there. However as with any job, the right skill set and job search technique is what will really help you land a great job with the pay to match.
Come join industry experts as they discuss the various job roles and career paths in the field of software development. We’ll be discussing how your curiosity and interest in software development can lead to a new career and what steps to take to make it happen!
