Software Developer Salary in Lincoln, NE
Software Developers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median $101,690 a year — 25% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,622 take-home, or $6,385 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Lincoln, NE. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,542
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,305
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,475
- Nebraska income tax$3,747
- Take-home pay$76,622
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.55% state
Software Developer pay by experience in Lincoln, NE
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,870 | $32.15 | $53,710 | $4,476 |
| 25th percentile | $81,160 | $39.02 | $63,113 | $5,259 |
| Median (50th) | $101,690 | $48.89 | $76,622 | $6,385 |
| 75th percentile | $127,320 | $61.21 | $93,376 | $7,781 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,780 | $75.86 | $112,809 | $9,401 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Nebraska resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,690 buys in Lincoln, NE
Prices in Lincoln, NE are 8.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 16% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $76,622 take-home pay has the buying power of $83,665 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 Lincoln, NE than nationally (location quotient 0.77), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Lincoln, NE ranks #170 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 |
| 170 | Lincoln, NE | $101,690 | $76,622 | $83,665 |
*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 Nebraska
- Omaha, NE — $125,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Lincoln, NE?
The median software developer salary in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $101,690 a year, or about $48.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,160 and $127,320.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Lincoln, NE?
On the median $101,690 salary, a single filer living in Nebraska takes home about $76,622 a year ($6,385 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,747 in Nebraska taxes in 2026.
Is Lincoln, NE a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 25% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 8.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $83,665 would in a typical U.S. city. Lincoln, NE ranks #170 of 184 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in Lincoln, NE?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lincoln, NE is $917 a month ($1,132 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 Lincoln, NE
- Data Scientist — $87,890
- Computer Systems Analyst — $87,500
- Computer User Support Specialist — $56,010