Software Developer Salary in Houston, TX (2026)
Software developers design, build, and test computer programs and applications. Includes software engineers, full-stack developers, and back-end developers.
Median Annual Salary
$128,060
in Houston · BLS OEWS
Real Purchasing Power
$128,402
adjusted for local cost of living
National Rank
#81
among cities with BLS data
Software Developers in Houston
The median annual salary for a Software Developer in Houston, TX is $128,060 per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. This works out to approximately $10,672/month or $62/hour.
Compared to the median across all surveyed cities ($135,190), Houston pays 5% less than the typical city.
Houston has a cost of living index of 99.7 (US average = 100), so your salary goes further here than the nominal figure suggests. In inflation-adjusted terms, $128,060 in Houston is equivalent to $128,402 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 Houston metro area, not just the city itself.
Top 10 Cities for Software Developers by Salary
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkeley, CA | $187,840 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $187,840 |
| 3 | Oakland, CA | $187,840 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $186,270 |
| 5 | Bellevue, WA | $181,040 |
| 6 | Tacoma, WA | $181,040 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $181,040 |
| 8 | Titusville, FL | $175,170 |
| 9 | Palm Bay, FL | $175,170 |
| 10 | Melbourne, FL | $175,170 |
Source: BLS OEWS · Metro-level data
Other Occupations in Houston
| Occupation | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,730 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,490 |
| Electrician | $59,060 |
| Accountant | $94,290 |
Full cost of living profile for Houston
See median rent, home values, cost of living index, air quality, and more for Houston.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median Software Developer salary in Houston?
The median annual salary for a Software Developer in Houston, TX is $128,060 per year, according to BLS OEWS data.
How does Houston Software Developer pay compare nationally?
Houston Software Developer pay ($128,060) is 5% below the median across surveyed cities ($135,190).
Does cost of living affect Software Developer salaries in Houston?
Yes. Houston has a cost of living index of 99.7 (US average = 100). After adjusting for local prices, a $128,060 salary in Houston has the purchasing power of approximately $128,402 in an average-cost city.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) · Methodology