Software Developer Salary in Cincinnati, OH
Software Developers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median $121,420 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $91,692 take-home, or $7,641 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Cincinnati, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$17,882
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,528
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,761
- Ohio income tax$2,557
- Take-home pay$91,692
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
The Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro spans Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Software Developer pay by experience in Cincinnati, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,790 | $37.88 | $62,874 | $5,240 |
| 25th percentile | $95,600 | $45.96 | $74,238 | $6,186 |
| Median (50th) | $121,420 | $58.38 | $91,692 | $7,641 |
| 75th percentile | $138,670 | $66.67 | $103,016 | $8,585 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,240 | $82.81 | $125,038 | $10,420 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $121,420 buys in Cincinnati, OH
Prices in Cincinnati, OH are 4.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $91,692 take-home pay has the buying power of $96,144 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Software Developer jobs are about as common in Cincinnati, OH as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.83).
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Cincinnati, OH ranks #75 of 184 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,110 | $140,222 | $126,987 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $162,090 | $122,055 | $115,520 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 | $125,602 | $113,019 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $164,560 | $117,211 | $111,415 |
| 5 | El Paso, TX | $127,310 | $98,282 | $109,310 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 7 | Ames, IA | $129,440 | $95,471 | $107,476 |
| 8 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 75 | Cincinnati, OH | $121,420 | $91,692 | $96,144 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 184 metros →
Software Developer salaries elsewhere in Ohio
- Columbus, OH — $122,340
- Canton, OH — $105,500
- Cleveland, OH — $111,310
- Dayton, OH — $106,910
- Toledo, OH — $104,360
- Akron, OH — $105,430
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Cincinnati, OH?
The median software developer salary in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $121,420 a year, or about $58.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $95,600 and $138,670.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Cincinnati, OH?
On the median $121,420 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $91,692 a year ($7,641 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,557 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 4.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $96,144 would in a typical U.S. city. Cincinnati, OH ranks #75 of 184 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in Cincinnati, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cincinnati, OH is $1,043 a month ($1,342 for two bedrooms) — 14% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH
- Computer Network Architect — $133,000
- Information Security Analyst — $114,300
- Computer Systems Analyst — $103,450
- Data Scientist — $102,650
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $101,530
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $87,940
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $84,700
- Web and Digital Interface Designer — $82,820
- Computer Network Support Specialist — $71,920
- Computer User Support Specialist — $59,350