Average Software Developers Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Software Developers in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $131,820. This figure is notably below the national average of $145,320, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially a slightly lower demand influence compensation. While the cost of living is on par with the national average, the salary differential warrants closer examination.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $131,820 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 15.4% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $174,980.
- Outlook: The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington region hosts a substantial workforce of 26,150 Software Developers. With a Location Quotient of 0.85, the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, indicating a mature but not exceptionally concentrated market. The presence of over 9 jobs per 1,000 workers signifies a steady demand for skilled professionals within this significant metropolitan area.
Salary Overview
The average Software Developers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns-9.3%below the national average.
$63.4
$2,535
$10,985
Software Developers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that Software Developer salaries in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area have experienced consistent growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Factors such as increasing demand for digital solutions, technological advancements, and the need for specialized skills likely contribute to upward pressure on compensation, even if regional averages lag slightly behind the national benchmark.
Software Developers Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Salary progression for Software Developers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD typically correlates strongly with experience and specialization. Entry-level positions will command lower salaries, while senior developers with extensive expertise and leadership capabilities can expect to earn significantly more, potentially exceeding the average. The widening gap between entry-level and senior-level compensation reflects the career advancement opportunities and the increasing value placed on seasoned professionals within the tech industry.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $81,500 | $39.2 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $98,865 | $47.5 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $130,670 | $62.8 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $164,775 | $79.2 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $174,980 | $84.1 |
Detailed Software Developers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$131,820
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$131,820
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $131,820 for Software Developers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that, on average, the purchasing power of a Software Developer's salary in this region is equivalent to that of a developer earning the national average salary in a national-average cost of living area. Therefore, the nominal salary effectively translates to a comparable standard of living.
Job Market Context
26,150
Total Jobs
9.115
Per 1K Jobs
0.85
Location Quotient
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has 0.85x the national average concentration of Software Developers jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.85 for Software Developers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD suggests that the concentration of these professionals is slightly lower than the national average. This indicates a competitive job market where demand is present but not overwhelmingly high compared to other regions. While the market is robust enough to support a large workforce, employers may have a slightly wider pool of candidates to choose from, potentially influencing salary negotiations.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Software Developers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ Software Developers Salary | $130,840↓ 1% | 28 mi |
| Vineland, NJ Software Developers Salary | $129,950↓ 1% | 35 mi |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Software Developers Salary | $117,650↓ 11% | 47 mi |
| Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area Software Developers Salary | $125,200↓ 5% | 47 mi |
| Reading, PA Software Developers Salary | $118,500↓ 10% | 48 mi |
Comparing salaries near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Software Developers make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median annual salary for a Software Developers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $131,820. This typically ranges from $81,500 for entry-level positions to $174,980 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 9.3% lower than the national median of $145,320.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Software Developers?
Moderately lucrative, but below the national average.Software Developers in this region earn $131,820 annually, which is less than the national average of $145,320. However, the cost of living is exactly at the national average, making the salary's purchasing power comparable.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Software Developers?
The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
Some top paying nearby cities include Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($130,840) and Vineland, NJ.
How does the Software Developer salary in Philadelphia compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Software Developers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $131,820, which is approximately $13,500 less than the national average of $145,320.
What is the Cost of Living in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD for Software Developers?
The Cost of Living Index for this region is 100, which is exactly the national average. This means that the cost of goods and services is neither significantly higher nor lower than the national benchmark.
How many Software Developers are there in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area?
The total local workforce for Software Developers in this metropolitan area is approximately 26,150 individuals.
Is the job market for Software Developers saturated in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
With a Location Quotient of 0.85, the market is slightly less concentrated than the national average, suggesting a competitive but not overly saturated environment for Software Developers.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 26,150 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 9.115 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Software Developers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD