In the United States, software developers in the applications field earn $102,160 per year. Those who develop systems software have a mean salary of $108,706. Less in Canada, where the software developer salary stands at C$62,187 ($47,738 USD) per year. In the United Kingdom, software developer salary generally ranges from £22,000 ($27,473 USD) to £50,000 ($62,440 USD). However, the mean salary for software developers is AU$67,402 ($51,748 USD) in Australia, CHF81,020 ($81,687 USD) for Switzerland and NOK662,400 ($80,725 USD) in Norway.
Software Developer Salary Influencers
Software developers generally earn based upon their skills with particular programming codes, experience and where they work. In Australia, software developers are entitled to a minimum salary, or award, set by the country’s Fair Work Commission based on experience, the sector in which they work, and other factors.
1. Industry
Private companies generally predominate the employment of software developer. Those who develop software and applications for consumers and smaller businesses typically work for software publishers or computer system design firms. Certain companies, especially in insurance, may have their own in-house software developers.
Skills with various types of programming language impact salary differently by country. For example, developers with JavaScript skills earn right at the national average in Australia and one percent below in the United States and Canada, but 14 percent more in Switzerland. For Microsoft SQL language, salaries run five percent above the national average in Australia, but three percent below in the United States.
2. Geographical Area
Software Developer Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | Switzerland | Norway |
Hourly Wage | $49.12 | C$29.90 | £16.83 | AU$32.40 | CHF38.95 | NOK318.46 |
Annual Wage | $102,160 | C$62,187 | £35,000 | AU$67,402 | CHF81,020 | NOK662,400 |
Software Developer Salary in the US
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean salary for “Software Developers, Applications” is $102,160, as of May 2015. Those in the top ten percent of earners make above $153,710. While for professionals in the “Software Developers, Systems Software,” the mean salary stands at $108,760. Systems software developers in the 90th percentile make higher than $159,850.
Software Developer Salary in Canada
PayScale states that the mean pay for Canadian software developers stands at C$62,187, with earnings running from C$43,578 to C$87,099.
Software Developer Salary in the UK
According to the National Careers Service, software developers in the United Kingdom earn between £22,000 and £50,000 annually.
Software Developer Salary in Australia
PayScale reports that the mean pay for software developers in Australia is AU$67,402 per year. While the total pay ranges from AU$48,701 to AU$101,693.
Software Developer Salary in Switzerland
According to PayScale, software developers in Switzerland are paid about CHF81,020 per year. Also, the range of pay starts at CHF49,198 and ascends to CHF124,687 per year.
Software Developer Salary in Norway
Statistics Norway reports that software developers in the country hold around NOK55,200 per month, as of 2016. This figure translates to NOK662,400 annually.
3. Experience
According to PayScale, entry-level software developers in the United States have a median salary of $64,000. The level rises to $80,000 after five years of experience and $92,000 after ten years. Developers with at least 20 years of experience earn 43 percent above average and have a median pay of $99,000.
Entry-level developers in Canada have a median pay of C$58,000, says PayScale. The median reaches C$71,000 after five years in the position, and C$80,000 at the onset of 10 years of experience.
In the United Kingdom, software developers just starting out earn from £22,000 to £26,000 per year. Those categorized as “Experienced” have salaries running from £28,000 to £45,000. “Highly Experienced” developers, who may have managerial roles, are paid at least £50,000 per year.
In Australia, “experienced” software developers (10-20 years of experience) make 37 percent above the mean salary, reports PayScale. After 20 years of experience, pay climbs to 54 percent more.
For developers in Switzerland, the median pay is CHF81,000 upon entry into the field and peaks at CHF97,000 between ten and 20 years of experience. Also, beyond that point, median pay falls to CHF81,000 by the “late career,” or after 20 years.
Working Hours
Software development is a full-time occupation. For example, those in the United Kingdom work from 37 to 40 hours per week. The average workweek for software and applications programmers in Australia is 38.7 hours per week.
Evenings and some weekend work can be expected, especially where a company seeks to roll out an application or some other deadline arises.
Bonuses & Benefit Packages
With for-profit entities as the primary employers, software developers may receive bonuses, profit sharing plans, and also commissions as part of compensation packages.
According to PayScale, software developers in the United States earned bonuses between $492.34 and $10,708. Bonuses climb as much as AU$8,386 for developers in Australia. Commissions go up to AU$5,000. In Canada, the bonuses range from C$342.55 to C$8,150, with commissions averaging C$4,193. Software developers in Norway get about NOK2,700 per month in bonuses, or NOK32,400 annually.
Employers in Norway, Australia and Switzerland must contribute to their employees’ pensions. Australia has superannuation. In Switzerland, employees receive employer contributions mandated by law as the second of a three-tiered retirement system. The first level consists of Old Age and Survivors/Disability Insurance while the third tier of funding comes from voluntary contributions. In Norway, Australia, and also Switzerland, salaried software developers are entitled to paid leave and paid holidays.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17 percent increase in employment of software developers overall by 2024. Growth is projected at 19 percent for those in the “Applications” sector, and 13 percent for developers of “systems software.” Due to the use and popularity of applications on smartphones, tablets, “smart” televisions and other consumer electronics, there are higher job projections among developers in the “Applications” category.
For Canada, software developers and engineers should be in high demand. IT World Canada reported on December 12, 2015, that Canada had a shortage of 182,000 jobs in the information technology field, which includes software engineers. Therefore opportunities should be available for those with the necessary skills.
The British Government projects an additional 56,000 programming and software developer jobs in the United Kingdom by 2022.
According to the Australian Government’s “Job Outlook,” software and applications programmers should see between 25,001 and 50,000 job openings by November 2019. Moreover, as of November 2015, Australia had 98,300 software and applications programmers. You can also look at the web developer salary for more information regarding salaries from this field.
Conclusion
Software developers should enjoy strong employment opportunities as consumers and businesses rely on them for entertainment, shopping, banking, marketing and other operations. Therefore pay in this profession typically rises as work experience is accumulated. Developers can also enhance pay prospects with various skills, bonuses, and profit-sharing opportunities, depending on the particular employer.