Software Developer Salary in Kansas City, MO
Software Developers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median $124,990 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $91,759 take-home, or $7,647 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Kansas City, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,732
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,749
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,812
- Missouri income tax$4,937
- Take-home pay$91,759
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.70% state
Living in Kansas City, MO? City residents also pay Kansas City, MO’s Earnings Tax — about $1,250 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $90,510 ($7,542 a month). Choose “Kansas City, MO” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Kansas City, MO-KS metro spans Missouri, Kansas. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Software Developer pay by experience in Kansas City, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,340 | $36.70 | $59,885 | $4,990 |
| 25th percentile | $97,560 | $46.90 | $73,815 | $6,151 |
| Median (50th) | $124,990 | $60.09 | $91,759 | $7,647 |
| 75th percentile | $139,820 | $67.22 | $101,199 | $8,433 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,440 | $81.46 | $120,052 | $10,004 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $124,990 buys in Kansas City, MO
Prices in Kansas City, MO are 7.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $91,759 take-home pay has the buying power of $99,153 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 Kansas City, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Kansas City, MO ranks #28 of 72 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 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $186,640 | $123,413 | $106,747 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $134,120 | $102,937 | $104,967 |
| 28 | Kansas City, MO | $124,990 | $91,759 | $99,153 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 72 metros →
About the job: software developers
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Software Developer salaries elsewhere in Missouri
- St. Louis, MO — $129,030
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Kansas City, MO?
The median software developer salary in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $124,990 a year, or about $60.09 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $97,560 and $139,820.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Kansas City, MO?
On the median $124,990 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $91,759 a year ($7,647 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,937 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Kansas City, MO a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 7.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $99,153 would in a typical U.S. city. Kansas City, MO ranks #28 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in Kansas City, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Kansas City, MO is $1,193 a month ($1,355 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 Kansas City, MO
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $105,470
- Computer Systems Analyst — $101,340
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $91,980
- Computer User Support Specialist — $60,210