{"id":2415,"date":"2024-03-21T01:59:29","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T01:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/?p=2415"},"modified":"2025-11-03T11:03:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T11:03:16","slug":"highest-salary-of-software-engineer-in-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/money-and-taxes\/highest-salary-of-software-engineer-in-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Do Software Engineers Get Paid the Most in 2025?"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 15<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

In 2025, the country where software engineers get paid the most is the United States, above $133,080 a year, or roughly $11k per month<\/a>. Salaries in Silicon Valley reach $168,000 per year, those in New York City are around $146,000, and those in Seattle are around $136,000. Backend engineers surveyed by Stack Overflow admitted they\u2019re earning $175,000 a year in 2025, which is a notable increase compared to the $160,000 a year they had estimated in 2023.<\/p>\n

But the US is not the only place you can make money as a software engineer. In this article, we\u2019ll introduce you to the top 10 countries where software engineers are earning the most.<\/p>\n

Continuing with salaries, the figures mentioned below are not entry-level or even junior salaries<\/a>. These averages are more comparable to mid-senior experience.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dive in and look at the industry\u2019s average earnings, considering factors such as job position, work experience and programming language proficiency. We\u2019ve consulted reputable sources to put together the most reliable figures for you. The figures reported here are gross annual salaries (before tax). Here<\/a>, you can find net salary calculators for different countries to estimate your take-home pay. This is a simplified version of the list:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Country<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Software Engineer Salary<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
United States<\/td>\n$133,080 or \u20ac113,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Switzerland<\/td>\n\u20ac112,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Israel<\/td>\n\u20ac70,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Australia<\/td>\n\u20ac67,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Denmark<\/td>\n\u20ac66,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Canada<\/td>\n\u20ac62,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Germany<\/td>\n\u20ac63,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
United Kingdom<\/td>\n\u20ac57,885<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Norway<\/td>\n\u20ac51,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sweden<\/td>\n\u20ac44,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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\n

1. United States \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/h2>\n

Software engineers in the US earn a median annual salary of $133,080<\/a>. This is an updated figure from August 2025.<\/p>\n

The United States is well known for offering the highest-paying IT salaries in the world. And it\u2019s not just in the Bay Area. Companies in Seattle, New York, Austin, Chicago, and Dallas also offer some of the highest-paying salaries in the world, comparable with the likes of London and Zurich.<\/p>\n

Although the US is still the preferred destination for software engineers around the world, there have been some major changes in the market that are worth noting. Most notably, mass layoffs<\/a> from the tech sector (including FAANG), lower salaries (even for senior developers), and the already-established hustle culture should make software engineers think twice before heading to the US.<\/p>\n

You know the saying\u2026 \u201cAmericans live to work, Europeans work to live.\u201d Salaries are outstanding in the US, but it comes at a cost. Work-life balance in the US falls behind compared to Europe. In the US, startup workers and even billionaire<\/a> owners rarely put in 9-5 hours like it could happen in Stockholm or Copenhagen. Also, job security in tech seems to be at a weak point with the wave of layoffs. Still, the US economy keeps adding more and more jobs<\/a>, so being laid off is not a dead end.<\/p>\n

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Work-Life Balance Comparison: USA vs EU \u2192<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

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Now, if you think money can compensate for long working hours and dwindling job security, the US is a good destination. Some salaries are even higher than reported here. For example, the Stack Overflow survey of 2023 demonstrated that being a backend developer in the US is one of the best-paying jobs in tech, with salaries above $175,000<\/a> per year (an almost 10% increase compared to the $160,000 of the 2023 report.) But these salaries are only for a tiny percentile of software developers. Some senior developers are reporting lower salaries compared to the post-pandemic boom, with some taking a 3% or 9% cut<\/a> year-on-year, and that doesn\u2019t account for inflation.<\/p>\n

The cities with the best salaries for software engineers are San Francisco and Santa Clara, CA, both part of Silicon Valley. Those salaries can reach $168,000<\/a> per year, which is well above New York City, which has an average salary of $146,000. Seattle comes in right after with $136,000. Austin, Chicago, the Dallas\u2013Fort Worth metropolitan region and Houston come right behind, with salaries ranging from $130,000 to $95,000. Silicon Valley pays the best, but there\u2019s a whole world out there (in the US). It\u2019s still one of the best countries for software engineers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Role<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Yearly Salary in \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Median Software Engineering<\/td>\n$133,080<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backend Dev<\/td>\n$175,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frontend Dev<\/td>\n$113,249<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full Stack Dev<\/td>\n$123,809<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Java Dev<\/td>\n$92,565<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Python Dev<\/td>\n$123,663<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n

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National Average Salary in the United States \u2192<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2. Switzerland \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded<\/h2>\n

Software engineers in Switzerland earn around \u20ac112,500 a year, or CHF105,000 in October 2025.<\/p>\n

Where do software engineers make the most money? Switzerland is a sleeper when it comes to opportunities for software engineers. It\u2019s well-regarded for its very high standard of living, for its natural beauty, for being one of the safest countries in the world, and for paying excellent salaries that make up for the very high cost of living (a chicken sandwich in Geneva might cost 80% more than in Dallas). And Geneva is not their most expensive hub \u2014 that\u2019s Zurich, dubbed the most expensive city in the world.<\/p>\n

But even if it\u2019s world-renowned for all these reasons, it\u2019s not exactly a typical software engineering location. Switzerland lures skilled software engineers with high salaries (easily exceeding \u20ac110,000<\/a>!) while keeping an attractive, and ultimately European, work-life balance. The demand for workers is high, but competition can be gruff, so much that juniors should not consider Switzerland. This country is only for experienced professionals. It\u2019s expensive and immigration is very difficult unless your skills are in demand, and unless you can prove your experience. Only come to Switzerland if you have a strong resume to stand by you. On the upside, many companies prioritise a 40-hour workweek, and over half of IT professionals report achieving a good balance.<\/p>\n

Also, keep in mind, that the high wages come with a high cost of living, so factor that in while evaluating the option. Renting a studio apartment in Zurich\u2019s city centre can cost up to 50% more<\/a> than renting one in Dallas. But purchasing power in the Swiss city is still around 5% stronger than in Texas, which tells how well-balanced the Swiss cost of living is with their uncommonly high standard<\/a> of living.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Role<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Yearly Salary in \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average Software Engineering<\/td>\n\u20ac112,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac115,659<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frontend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac85,135<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full Stack Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac105.335<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Java Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac94,770<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Python Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac105,390<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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3. Israel \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf1<\/h2>\n

Software engineers in Israel earn almost \u20ac70,000<\/a> a year in 2025. It\u2019s one of the highest salaries for software engineers in the world.<\/p>\n

Israel relies on the tech sector. The high-tech sector contributes 18% to local GDP, making it their largest industry by economic output. Tech comprises half of the country\u2019s exports, which means the sector attracts foreign currency like no other \u2014 and this could explain the good salaries. About one in seven of all employees work in the tech sector and in tech jobs in other sectors. This concentration is not so far from Silicon Valley\u2019s (where one in four workers are in tech).<\/p>\n

The startup scene in Israel is worth $120 billion, according to reports. Tel Aviv is the seventh-largest startup<\/a> ecosystem in the world and has the highest number of startups per person in any country, with almost 3,000 in Tel Aviv alone, of which around 30 are already unicorns. The government actively<\/a> props up the scene with stimulus packages and pro-tech policies. It\u2019s also a cybersecurity hub, big data, an AI hub. Waze<\/a>, for example, was founded almost 20 years ago near Tel Aviv, and represented one of the first widespread cases of AI and big data for end users.<\/p>\n

Since there is so much cash from investors and so much cash brought on by exports, software engineers can expect some of the best salaries in the world. It\u2019s not only startup-driven, though. Israel hosts R&D centres for large tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Cisco, SAP or Meta.<\/p>\n

In Israel, work-life balance can be a double-edged sword. The fast-paced, startup-driven business environment often encourages longer hours and dedication. The \u201chustle culture\u201d is widespread and many engineers, notably from the cybersecurity sector in Tel Aviv, report that burnout is very common.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Role<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Yearly Salary in \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf1<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Software Engineering<\/td>\n\u20ac69,579<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac83,332<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frontend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac40,163<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full Stack Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac52,565<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Java Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac55,040<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Python Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac61,727<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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4. Australia \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa<\/h2>\n

Software engineers in Australia earn around \u20ac67,000<\/a> a year ($120,000 AUD in 2025).<\/p>\n

Australia is a very sought-for location because it has plenty of cities with good weather, a high standard of living, and salaries for software engineers that are even above some German wages. Even if investment in tech startups in Australia fell<\/a> in 2023, there were almost 500 deals, including Employment Hero\u2019s quarter-billion-dollar funding round. This cash influx results in more opportunities for software workers, who can also rely on well-established tech companies such as Canva, Atlassian, or Procreate to seek jobs.<\/p>\n

Australia has traditionally welcomed qualified workers from abroad to fill the talent gaps, and software engineers are just as in demand. In fact, more Europeans are moving to Australia<\/a> for tech work than the other way around. Still, it\u2019s not only Europeans who\u2019re choosing to settle Down Under. According to industry reports, around a third of tech workers speak a language<\/a> other than English, making it the most culturally diverse sector in the country.<\/p>\n

In Australia, and in contrast to the US, tech jobs are also more secure than other occupations. The rate of people who no longer work after eight years was around 5% lower in tech than in other Australian high-paying industries. This makes it one of the best countries for software engineers.<\/p>\n

Even though almost half the workers in the Australian tech industry don\u2019t have a university degree, immigrating engineers who request a visa are expected to have one and to pass an English exam and score a certain number of points<\/a>. You can earn points by many means, but the most important is experience.<\/p>\n

Australia has very strict immigration policies, but a company sponsorship could help you settle down there. For example, a software engineer with 2+ years experience can apply for Australia\u2019s Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) but may need higher points (3-8+ years experience) for a stronger application. So consider internal company transfer for temporary residency followed by permanent residency as a pathway to staying in Australia.<\/p>\n

However, like many attractive hubs, the cost of living in cities like Melbourne and Sydney is extremely high \u2014 even higher than in certain European countries. Despite what Mercer claims, the cost of living in Australia has skyrocketed to 2-3x what it was in 2019, depending on the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Role<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Yearly Salary in \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Software Engineering<\/td>\n\u20ac67,260<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac72,354<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frontend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac69,173<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full Stack Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac72,286<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Java Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac70,958<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Python Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac84,296<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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National Average Salary in Australia \u2192<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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5. Denmark \ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddf0<\/h2>\n

Software engineers in Denmark earn around \u20ac66,000<\/a> per year.<\/p>\n

Denmark\u2019s recent hits have been in pharma<\/a> or the movies<\/a>, but the tech industry in Denmark also enjoys steady growth, with opportunities in major cities like Copenhagen and Aarhus taking advantage of recent graduates. Sources estimated that Danish software companies would drive an excess revenue of almost $4 billion<\/a> in 2024.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of sectors in the tech industry that software engineers can consider. Tech giants like IBM, Microsoft, and SAP have set up innovation and development hubs in Denmark. Some tech \u201cnewcomers,\u201d like Zendesk or Trustpilot, are some successful Danish tech companies that specialise in business solution development. In fact, around 7% of the tech investment deals that end up being unicorns come from Nordic countries.<\/p>\n

When seeking employment, software engineers can look into other Danish tech sectors that are not exactly IT. Cleantech is also a growing tech sector in Denmark. Environment-related technologies accounted for a quarter of Danish patents in 2018. It\u2019s also the highest share in the OECD. The Danes are known for inventing tech stuff, as they came up with C++ and C#<\/p>\n

Software engineers are in demand in Denmark, and the government is making it easier for international talent to get work permits (they\u2019ve approved lower salary requirements for foreigners applying for work) and even own businesses (Startup Denmark program) to get a residency permit.<\/p>\n

While salaries may not reach the heights of some other countries, they remain competitive and are coupled with generous benefits, including ample paid holidays and a standard 37-hour<\/a> workweek. Denmark has one of the world\u2019s best work-life balances, with only 1% of workers putting in long hours and a standard 25 vacation days.<\/p>\n

However, consider that the cost of living in Denmark is high. If you land a job in Copenhagen, you could even consider living in the quiet university town of Lund, Sweden, and crossing the \u00d8resund Strait for work a couple of times a week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Role<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Yearly Salary in \ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddf0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Software Engineering<\/td>\n\u20ac66,603<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac69,802<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frontend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac53,231<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full Stack Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac60,902<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Java Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac61,706<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Python Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac74,987<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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National Average Salary in Denmark \u2192<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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6. Canada \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6<\/h2>\n

In Canada, software engineers earn around $73,000<\/a> USD annually. That\u2019s approximately \u20ac62,000.<\/p>\n

The Canadian government actively supports the tech sector through grants or tax incentives. The Deputy Prime Minister recently announced a $20 billion<\/a> fund to help develop net-zero and clean tech. Also, many provinces have their own programs. Besides clean tech, the country\u2019s focus on AI, healthcare tech, and cybersecurity means you\u2019ll have plenty of paths to find your niche.<\/p>\n

Canada has advantages like few other countries, both for software engineers and for any worker. Some cities are cheaper than their counterparts across the US border. According to Numbeo, Toronto prices are estimated to be around 5% cheaper than Chicago (still, keep in mind that Chicago has greater purchasing power). And Vancouver continually gets picked as North America\u2019s \u201cmost liveable\u201d city, a fashionable way to say it\u2019s among the best cities in the world.<\/p>\n

Canadians know it\u2019s important to keep a healthy work-life balance and continually push official efforts to help with it, like prescribing free visits<\/a> to their stunning national parks. They have generous parental leave and well-established safety nets. And for being such a developed (and still underpopulated) nation, Canada has a remarkably simple immigration path, way easier than getting a green card in the US. In addition, Canadians use the metric system.<\/p>\n

But, it\u2019s not all idyllic and syrupy up there in the North. Graduates from universities like McGill, sometimes called the \u201cHarvard of Canada,\u201d get more attention than expats, according to testimonials. If the role you\u2019re trying to get into is a senior role, most tech companies will prefer candidates who speak English as their first language, or French if you\u2019re in Qu\u00e9bec. This is standard, and the same will happen to you in Bavaria but with German, but you should still consider it.<\/p>\n

Still, techie Indians seem to be doing well in Canada, which hosts the largest Sikh population outside India. So software engineers from India, the Philippines, or China all have opportunities to work and take a piece of the pie, provided they have the right seniority and can get jobs with companies that help them relocate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Role<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Yearly Salary in \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 (US dollars)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Software Engineering<\/td>\n$73,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backend Dev<\/td>\n$69,515<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frontend Dev<\/td>\n$62,818<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full Stack Dev<\/td>\n$66,709<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Java Dev<\/td>\n$56.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Python Dev<\/td>\n$91,509<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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\u00a0<\/p>\n

National Average Salary in Canada \u2192<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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7. Germany \ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea<\/h2>\n

A software engineer\u2019s salary in Germany is around \u20ac63,000<\/a> a year in 2025. More senior roles like software architect earn average salaries of \u20ac81,500. The median salary, which sometimes is even a better reflection of the state of things than the average, is at \u20ac74,000 a year.<\/p>\n

Germany\u2019s tech scene has both the heavyweights \u2014 like SAP \u2014 and the nimble movers and shakers \u2014 like N26 \u2014 ready to hire IT expats. Expect fair salaries, healthy work-life balance and software development opportunities in cities like Berlin<\/a> (more international and expat-oriented) or Munich<\/a> (more traditional).<\/p>\n

Germany normally delivers job security and opportunities for skilled developers, but their economy has shrunk<\/a> a bit, so don\u2019t be surprised if you notice job offers suddenly drop. Still, Germany (and Berlin especially) is the top destination in Europe for expats. The German capital has a considerable expat community, and it\u2019s the city where\u2019s the most likely to find an English-speaking role. Plenty of companies that are expanding internationally are doing it from their HQ in Berlin. Or it can be the other way around \u2014 companies that are expanding internationally want to set foot in Germany, and that could be the way in for software engineers.<\/p>\n

The pace might feel slower than working in the UK, for example, and language barriers can be an issue, but if stability, well-being, and quality of life are priorities, Germany<\/a> can be an excellent fit for you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Role<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Yearly Salary in \ud83c\udde9\ud83c\uddea<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Software Engineering<\/td>\n\u20ac63,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac60,100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frontend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac49,380<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full Stack Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac51,074<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Java Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac50,635<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Python Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac55,235<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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\u00a0<\/p>\n

National Average Salary in Germany \u2192<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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8. United Kingdom \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7<\/h2>\n

Software engineers in the United Kingdom earn an average of around \u20ac58,000<\/a> per year, which is significantly higher than the national average salary<\/a>. A fluctuation in the exchange rate has made it slightly less competitive than a year ago, and in 2025, United Kingdom is one of the few countries in which SE salaries have not increased (compare to the salary growth in the United States.) But salaries are considerably more attractive in London<\/a> than in the rest of the country, and the average is tricky because of that.<\/p>\n

With London still standing as the world\u2019s financial capital, meaning that there\u2019s plenty of lending and investing going on, the UK software market is predictably huge. In 2025, London is still Europe\u2019s #1 tech hub. But when it comes to tech, other big cities such as Manchester are still attracting companies, start-ups, talent, and investors. In fact, the North is great for software engineers. Big tech companies like Google, Booking.com or Amazon are in Manchester, along with over 10,000 other tech businesses. Startups recently just raised \u00a3532<\/a> million in funding. Leeds, Oxford and Cambridge are also medtech hubs.<\/p>\n

One overlooked (not by investors, though) sector in London for software engineers is cleantech. London climate tech<\/a> startups took in $3.5B in 2023, up from $2.2B in 2022, and London clinched the second place for climate tech investment globally in 2023.<\/p>\n

In England, salaries are generally above their mainland Europe rivals. Particularly in London, a senior software manager (a position which requires around 10 years of experience) can make \u00a3102,000 per year<\/a>, while the same position in Berlin can earn \u20ac81,500. For your reference, that \u00a3102,000 is more than 10k a month in US dollars. When you rank a software developer salary by country, England always gets a notable mention.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Role<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Yearly Salary in \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Software Engineering<\/td>\n\u20ac57,885<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac71,034<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frontend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac63,303<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full Stack Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac65,585<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Java Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac62,208<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Python Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac85,878<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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Moving to London for a Tech Job: Mahdi’s Relocation Story \u2192<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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9. Norway \ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf4<\/h2>\n

In Norway, software engineers earn an average salary of roughly \u20ac51,500<\/a> a year in 2025. The Norwegian krone has fluctuated a lot with respect to the euro, and so this salary is perhaps weaker than it was a couple of years ago.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that far behind Denmark. It\u2019s actually an excellent salary, considering the small market \u2014 totally acceptable for a country with less than six million citizens. The job market is great for senior devs, especially if you speak Norwegian. If you don\u2019t speak it, especially in Oslo, you\u2019ll have plenty of options that don\u2019t require Norwegian, but you can\u2019t get picky. Brush up your skills or consider building a portfolio (open-source projects, conferences) if you\u2019re starting out.<\/p>\n

Software engineers can expect opportunities in green technology. Norway and its Nordic neighbours are recognised as world leaders in the use of renewable energy, cleantech, and sustainable resource handling. Norway has agreed to reduce emissions, and the government considers carbon capture and storage (CCS) a high priority. The Climate Investment Fund set up by Norway in 2022 has already committed around $200 million to projects that will avoid annual emissions of 6.2 million tons of CO2.<\/p>\n

Work-life balance in Norway depends on the work arrangement because some jobs work as contracts and earn exceptional wages while others are more stable, more secure and more lax but for lower pay. Some companies have strict deadlines, others are flexible. You can find a good fit as you gain experience (seniors have more options).<\/p>\n

Norwegians are welcoming and accept foreigners, but friendships take time. Learning the language will help you socialise in the long run and will give you more work options. Norwegians are friendly and educated, enjoy a great standard of living (and have learnt to be happy<\/a> when it rains<\/a>), and will be happy to welcome you in. Expect to be awe-struck by their infrastructure and fjords.<\/p>\n

The best path to get a job in Norway, especially if you\u2019re not a senior, is to have a company sponsor you and help you relocate<\/a>. This is the result of a mixed bag of policies that make it hard for non-EU citizens to land a job, not an outright strategic decision. It\u2019s a small market with a low number of jobs, and regulations that started adding up closed out the market for many. Still, with the help of a company, software engineers can work in Norway, still one of the best countries for software engineers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Role<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Yearly Salary in \ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf4<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Software Engineering<\/td>\n\u20ac51,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac64,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frontend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac49,724<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full Stack Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac52,712<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Java Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac52,654<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Python Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac63,156<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

10. Sweden \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddea<\/h2>\n

In Sweden, software engineers earn a net salary<\/a> of almost \u20ac44,000<\/a> a year. Other sources report salaries are as good as in the United States, but that\u2019s probably a top salary for a video game company executive. Spotify offers developer product manager salaries of \u20ac76,600 at their Stockholm offices, so there\u2019s also that in-between lane.<\/p>\n

In Sweden, you can make a career in fields such as sustainability or gaming. With a surprisingly high $14 billion raised through IPOs in Stockholm in 2021, the second highest in Europe<\/a> after London, more than a hundred Swedish companies have access to a large pool of capital to invest in growth, which often includes hiring skilled IT professionals. Software engineers in Sweden don\u2019t have to limit themselves to the tech sector.<\/p>\n

Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) is becoming a hot spot for student founders in Sweden \u2014 who in turn bring on software engineering jobs. One of their alumni is Klarna, which was initially rejected by investors but has since raised a massive $4.5 billion. Another example is Voi, a micromobility startup founded by an SSE grad. Thanks to an SSE pitch competition, Voi<\/a> got early investment from a billionaire businesswoman and has now raised $500 million. Remember that education for EU citizens in Sweden is free, so if you intend to go down the founder pipeline as a software engineer, you got a clear opportunity in Stockholm.<\/p>\n

The Swedes love their work-life balance, with ample leave \u2014 the parental leave in Sweden is unmatched \u2014 and flexible arrangements from the get-go. In addition, their command of English is impeccable and could make you wonder if you\u2019re actually in Minnesota or Wisconsin. Still, testimonials tell us that Swedish could open more doors. Still, remember the high cost of living, especially in Stockholm, and consider that expats have trouble finding housing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Role<\/strong><\/td>\nAverage Yearly Salary in \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddea<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Software Engineering<\/td>\n\u20ac43,877<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Backend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac47,333<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Frontend Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac37,125<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Full Stack Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac42,810<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Java Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac35,664<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Python Dev<\/td>\n\u20ac41,076<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

National Average Salary in Sweden \u2192<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

Get a job as a software engineer and relocate<\/h2>\n

To earn the best salaries in the world for software engineers in 2025, you can relocate to these countries with Relocate.me<\/a>. We\u2019re a niche job board for techies looking to relocate, and we match tech talent with companies that offer relocation packages to many of these countries.<\/p>\n

Visit our job board<\/a> and get a job with a top-dollar salary from your home country. Only then relocate. The companies on the platform need top talent from abroad, and they will help you cash in the highest salary for software engineers in the world.<\/p>\n

If you would like to relocate but you don’t understand how to go from work visa to passport or just need help putting together the right paperwork, we can put you in touch<\/a> with someone who has done this a lot of times before.<\/p>\n

Additionally, you can subscribe to The Global Move<\/i><\/a>, our newsletter that helps people who want to move and work in a different country find tech jobs and other useful information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n
\nWhich country pays software engineers the most?<\/strong><\/summary>\n

The United States pays the highest salaries to software engineers, with an average of over $133,000 per year in 2025. This is according to official government data, and it matches what engineers report they earn in the United States.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/details>

\nWhich is the best-paying European country for software engineers?<\/strong><\/summary>\n

Switzerland pays the most in Europe, and software engineers can expect to earn CHF 105,000 a year, which is around $130,000 a year. This means that Switzerland is only second to the United States in terms of salaries for software engineers!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/details>

\nWill a company help me with my work visa?<\/strong><\/summary>\n

Yes, companies that hire internationally and have relocation-friendly jobs will help you with the process of moving elsewhere if you land a job with them.<\/p>\n<\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reading Time: <\/span> 15<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>In 2025, the country where software engineers get paid the most is the United States, above $133,080 a year, or roughly $11k per month. Salaries in Silicon Valley reach $168,000 per year, those in New York City are around $146,000, and those in Seattle are around $136,000. Backend engineers surveyed by Stack Overflow admitted they\u2019re […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[85],"class_list":["post-2415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-and-taxes","tag-salaries"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2415"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3681,"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415\/revisions\/3681"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/relocate.me\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}