Software Developer Salary in Lakeland, FL
Software Developers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $122,200 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $94,790 take-home, or $7,899 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,062
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,576
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,772
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$94,790
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Software Developer pay by experience in Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,790 | $36.92 | $62,852 | $5,238 |
| 25th percentile | $97,290 | $46.77 | $77,274 | $6,439 |
| Median (50th) | $122,200 | $58.75 | $94,790 | $7,899 |
| 75th percentile | $136,730 | $65.74 | $104,721 | $8,727 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,230 | $78.00 | $122,150 | $10,179 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $122,200 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $94,790 take-home pay has the buying power of $97,579 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 Lakeland, FL than nationally (location quotient 0.34), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Lakeland, FL ranks #60 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 |
| 60 | Lakeland, FL | $122,200 | $94,790 | $97,579 |
*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 Florida
- Crestview, FL — $130,640
- Palm Bay, FL — $131,760
- Jacksonville, FL — $130,330
- Tallahassee, FL — $121,800
- Tampa, FL — $130,450
- North Port, FL — $131,890
- Gainesville, FL — $122,950
- Orlando, FL — $129,620
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Lakeland, FL?
The median software developer salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $122,200 a year, or about $58.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $97,290 and $136,730.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $122,200 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $94,790 a year ($7,899 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $97,579 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #60 of 184 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lakeland, FL
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $95,160
- Computer Systems Analyst — $85,820
- Computer User Support Specialist — $51,080