Software Engineer Salary Philadelphia 2025

Quick Answer

About This Article

We’ve prepared this article template for software engineer salary research in Philadelphia, but the specific wage data needed to populate salary figures, percentiles, and cost-of-living comparisons was not included in our current data pull (fetched as of April 10, 2026).

What Data We’re Missing

To provide you with a complete, accurate salary guide for software engineers in Philadelphia, we would need:

• BLS OEWS Salary Data: Mean and median annual wages, with 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile breakdowns for software engineers (SOC code 15-1132) in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area
• Cost of Living Metrics: Median rent, home values, and other living expenses for Philadelphia and comparable nearby cities
• Historical Trend Data: Year-over-year salary growth for software engineers in the region
• Top Employer Information: H-1B disclosure data or employer-reported salaries for major tech companies and firms hiring software engineers in Philadelphia
• Job Outlook Projections: Employment growth rates and annual job openings from the BLS Employment Projections program

Notable Cities in the Philadelphia Metro Area

We do have information that the following cities are part of the greater Philadelphia metropolitan region, which would be relevant for comparison:

• Camden, New Jersey
• Wilmington, Delaware
• King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
• Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Why Philadelphia for Software Engineers?

Philadelphia is home to a growing tech ecosystem with a strong presence of financial services firms, healthcare technology companies, and startups. The city offers a lower cost of living than comparable tech hubs like San Francisco or New York, while maintaining competitive salaries and robust job opportunities for software engineers.

How to Find Current Salary Data

For the most accurate and current software engineer salary information in Philadelphia, we recommend:

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Visit bls.gov/oes and search for Occupational Code 15-1132 (Software Developers) in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington MSA
2. Job Boards: Review current postings on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor to see real-time salary ranges from employers actively hiring
3. Salary Databases: Consult Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, or Blind for crowdsourced compensation data from software engineers working in Philadelphia
4. Professional Networks: Connect with local tech groups and professional associations to gather market intelligence

Regional Context

The Philadelphia region includes several important tech employment centers:

• Center City Philadelphia: Home to financial technology firms, healthcare IT companies, and digital agencies
• King of Prussia: Major corporate headquarters and tech centers
• Camden and Cherry Hill, NJ: Growing tech corridors with proximity to Philadelphia talent
• Wilmington, DE: Financial and pharmaceutical industry tech roles

Software engineers in these areas may see variation in compensation based on industry focus, company size, and specific location within the metro area.

What Affects Software Engineer Salaries in Philadelphia

Even without current data, industry research shows that software engineer compensation is typically influenced by:

• Experience Level: Entry-level vs. mid-level vs. senior roles command significantly different salaries
• Specialization: Full-stack, backend, frontend, DevOps, and machine learning engineers may have different market rates
• Industry Sector: Financial services, healthcare technology, and e-commerce typically pay differently
• Company Size: Large enterprises, mid-market firms, and startups offer different compensation packages
• Education & Certifications: Advanced degrees and relevant certifications can impact earning potential

FAQ

What is the typical salary range for a software engineer in Philadelphia?

While specific 2025 data is not available in our current dataset, historical trends show that software engineers in Philadelphia typically earn less than those in major coastal tech hubs (San Francisco, New York, Boston) but more than many other U.S. cities. To get current salary ranges, check the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS database or review active job postings on major job boards.

How does Philadelphia compare to other East Coast tech cities for software engineer salaries?

Philadelphia generally offers competitive salaries while maintaining a lower cost of living than New York City or Washington, D.C. However, we cannot provide specific comparative percentages without current salary data for each market. We recommend using tools like Levels.fyi to compare compensation across different cities for the same role.

What is the cost of living for software engineers in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia is known for being more affordable than other major tech hubs on the East Coast. However, specific median rent and housing cost data was not included in our current dataset. For current cost-of-living information, consult the Census American Community Survey (ACS) or Zillow’s Observed Rent Index (ZORI) for Philadelphia.

Is it worth relocating to Philadelphia as a software engineer?

The decision to relocate depends on comparing the salary offer against your current situation and personal priorities. Philadelphia offers reasonable salaries, a growing tech community, lower housing costs than many competing cities, and a strong quality of life. We recommend using a cost-of-living calculator and researching specific employers before making a relocation decision.

How can I find the most current software engineer salary data for Philadelphia?

Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website (bls.gov) and search the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) database for software developers in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area. This data is updated annually and provides percentile breakdowns, industry information, and trend analysis.

What employers in Philadelphia typically hire software engineers?

The Philadelphia region has employers across multiple sectors including financial services, healthcare technology, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and digital media. Major corporations and growing startups in the area actively recruit software engineers. Check job boards and the Department of Labor’s H-1B disclosure database for employer-specific salary information.

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This article was prepared as of April 10, 2026. Specific salary data for software engineers in Philadelphia was not available at the time of publication. For current wage statistics, please consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) database, which is updated annually. Cost of living data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and Zillow. Actual compensation varies based on employer, experience, education, and individual negotiation.