Software Developer Salary in Eau Claire, WI
Software Developers in the Eau Claire, WI metro area earn a median $104,490 a year — 23% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $78,181 take-home, or $6,515 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$14,158
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,478
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,515
- Wisconsin income tax$4,157
- Take-home pay$78,181
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Software Developer pay by experience in Eau Claire, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,800 | $35.96 | $58,868 | $4,906 |
| 25th percentile | $94,620 | $45.49 | $71,761 | $5,980 |
| Median (50th) | $104,490 | $50.24 | $78,181 | $6,515 |
| 75th percentile | $133,150 | $64.01 | $96,598 | $8,050 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,340 | $79.97 | $117,524 | $9,794 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $104,490 buys in Eau Claire, WI
Prices in Eau Claire, WI are 7.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 27% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $78,181 take-home pay has the buying power of $84,251 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 less concentrated in Eau Claire, WI than nationally (location quotient 0.47), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Eau Claire, WI ranks #167 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 |
| 167 | Eau Claire, WI | $104,490 | $78,181 | $84,251 |
*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 Wisconsin
- Madison, WI — $130,630
- Milwaukee, WI — $123,730
- Oshkosh, WI — $104,000
- Appleton, WI — $102,970
- Green Bay, WI — $103,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Eau Claire, WI?
The median software developer salary in the Eau Claire, WI metro area is $104,490 a year, or about $50.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $94,620 and $133,150.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Eau Claire, WI?
On the median $104,490 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $78,181 a year ($6,515 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,157 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Eau Claire, WI a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 23% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 7.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $84,251 would in a typical U.S. city. Eau Claire, WI ranks #167 of 184 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in Eau Claire, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Eau Claire, WI is $962 a month ($1,181 for two bedrooms) — 15% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.