Software Developer Salary in Raleigh, NC
Software Developers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $132,770 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $97,225 take-home, or $8,102 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$20,599
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,232
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,925
- North Carolina income tax$4,789
- Take-home pay$97,225
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Software Developer pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,080 | $38.50 | $62,480 | $5,207 |
| 25th percentile | $103,480 | $49.75 | $78,008 | $6,501 |
| Median (50th) | $132,770 | $63.83 | $97,225 | $8,102 |
| 75th percentile | $166,650 | $80.12 | $119,031 | $9,919 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $185,110 | $89.00 | $130,949 | $10,912 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $132,770 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $97,225 take-home pay has the buying power of $99,051 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.6× the national concentration of software developer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #29 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 |
| 29 | Raleigh, NC | $132,770 | $97,225 | $99,051 |
*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 North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $135,920
- Durham, NC — $135,620
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Raleigh, NC?
The median software developer salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $132,770 a year, or about $63.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $103,480 and $166,650.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $132,770 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $97,225 a year ($8,102 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,789 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $99,051 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #29 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Information Security Analyst — $143,640
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $110,030
- Computer Systems Analyst — $108,480
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $103,380
- Computer User Support Specialist — $62,460