Software Developer Salary in Lancaster, PA
Software Developers in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median $104,740 a year — 23% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $79,299 take-home, or $6,608 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Lancaster, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,213
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,494
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,519
- Pennsylvania income tax$3,216
- Take-home pay$79,299
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
Software Developer pay by experience in Lancaster, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,450 | $35.31 | $58,247 | $4,854 |
| 25th percentile | $87,470 | $42.05 | $67,680 | $5,640 |
| Median (50th) | $104,740 | $50.36 | $79,299 | $6,608 |
| 75th percentile | $131,350 | $63.15 | $97,011 | $8,084 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,490 | $79.08 | $118,645 | $9,887 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $104,740 buys in Lancaster, PA
Prices in Lancaster, PA are 1.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 6% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $79,299 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,706 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 Lancaster, PA than nationally (location quotient 0.31), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Lancaster, PA ranks #181 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 |
| 181 | Lancaster, PA | $104,740 | $79,299 | $80,706 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, PA — $124,500
- Scranton, PA — $119,960
- Philadelphia, PA — $133,040
- Reading, PA — $120,920
- Allentown, PA — $122,930
- York, PA — $114,600
- Harrisburg, PA — $109,470
- State College, PA — $103,620
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Lancaster, PA?
The median software developer salary in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $104,740 a year, or about $50.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $87,470 and $131,350.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Lancaster, PA?
On the median $104,740 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $79,299 a year ($6,608 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,216 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Lancaster, PA a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 23% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 1.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,706 would in a typical U.S. city. Lancaster, PA ranks #181 of 184 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in Lancaster, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lancaster, PA is $1,220 a month ($1,526 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
- Computer User Support Specialist — $58,610