💻 Software Developer Salary
Software Developer Salary in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
Software developers design, build, and test computer programs and applications. Includes software engineers, full-stack developers, and back-end developers.
Median Annual Salary
$115,910
in Chapel Hill · BLS OEWS
Real Purchasing Power
$121,904
adjusted for local cost of living
Software Developers in Chapel Hill
The median annual salary for a Software Developer in Chapel Hill, NC is $115,910 per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. This works out to approximately $9,659/month or $56/hour.
Compared to the median across all surveyed cities ($134,550), Chapel Hill pays 14% less than the typical city.
Chapel Hill has a cost of living index of 95.1 (US average = 100), so your salary goes further here than the nominal figure suggests. In inflation-adjusted terms, $115,910 in Chapel Hill is equivalent to $121,904 in a city at the US average cost of living.
BLS wage data is collected at the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) level, so this figure represents the Chapel Hill metro area, not just the city itself.
Top 10 Cities for Software Developers by Salary
| Rank | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder, CO | $182,650 |
| 2 | Oakland, CA | $181,220 |
| 3 | Berkeley, CA | $181,220 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $181,220 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $164,130 |
| 6 | Bell, CA | $164,130 |
| 7 | Bellevue, WA | $164,130 |
| 8 | Bellevue, NE | $164,130 |
| 9 | Tacoma, WA | $164,130 |
| 10 | Carlsbad, CA | $152,270 |
Source: BLS OEWS · Metro-level data
Other Occupations in Chapel Hill
| Occupation | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $90,390 |
| 📚Elementary School Teacher | $64,990 |
| ⚡Electrician | $56,380 |
| 📊Accountant | $70,710 |
Full cost of living profile for Chapel Hill
See median rent, home values, cost of living index, air quality, and more for Chapel Hill.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median Software Developer salary in Chapel Hill?
The median annual salary for a Software Developer in Chapel Hill, NC is $115,910 per year, according to BLS OEWS data.
How does Chapel Hill Software Developer pay compare nationally?
Chapel Hill Software Developer pay ($115,910) is 14% below the median across surveyed cities ($134,550).
Does cost of living affect Software Developer salaries in Chapel Hill?
Yes. Chapel Hill has a cost of living index of 95.1 (US average = 100). After adjusting for local prices, a $115,910 salary in Chapel Hill has the purchasing power of approximately $121,904 in an average-cost city.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) · Methodology