Software Developer Salary in Tucson, AZ
Software Developers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $123,710 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $92,938 take-home, or $7,745 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,424
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,670
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,794
- Arizona income tax$2,884
- Take-home pay$92,938
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 2.50% state
Software Developer pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,090 | $38.02 | $62,701 | $5,225 |
| 25th percentile | $97,560 | $46.90 | $75,233 | $6,269 |
| Median (50th) | $123,710 | $59.48 | $92,938 | $7,745 |
| 75th percentile | $153,430 | $73.76 | $112,508 | $9,376 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,820 | $88.86 | $133,199 | $11,100 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $123,710 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $92,938 take-home pay has the buying power of $95,915 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 Tucson, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Tucson, AZ ranks #76 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 |
| 76 | Tucson, AZ | $123,710 | $92,938 | $95,915 |
*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 Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $131,750
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Tucson, AZ?
The median software developer salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $123,710 a year, or about $59.48 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $97,560 and $153,430.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $123,710 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $92,938 a year ($7,745 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,884 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $95,915 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #76 of 184 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 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 Tucson, AZ
- Computer Systems Analyst — $98,100
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $87,780
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $64,630
- Computer User Support Specialist — $57,660