Software Developer salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Software Developers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $138,900 a year ($66.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $223,550 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is about the same as the Maryland statewide median of $138,680. There are 12 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $153,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for software developers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,290 | $41.96 |
| 25th percentile | $105,670 | $50.80 |
| Median | $138,900 | $66.78 |
| 75th percentile | $200,910 | $96.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $223,550 | $107.48 |
| Average (mean) | $153,910 | $73.99 |
Half of software developers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,575 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,787.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,342.31 |
| Weekly | $2,671.15 |
| Hourly | $66.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Developer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,930 | 69,060 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $133,040 | 28,480 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $132,850 | 720 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $122,830 | 530 |
| Salisbury, MD | $116,380 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for software developers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $174,410 |
| Washington | $166,540 |
| New York | $166,180 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| Oregon | $142,720 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 |
| Maryland | $138,680 |
| Colorado | $138,390 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 |
| Virginia | $136,460 |
See Software Developer pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $135,600 | $65.19 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $108,980 | $52.40 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $62,950 | $30.26 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $122,950 | $59.11 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,170 | $66.43 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $129,880 | $62.44 |
| Computer Network Architect | $160,340 | $77.09 |
| Database Administrator | $123,730 | $59.49 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Web Developer | $107,590 | $51.73 |
| Computer Programmer | $106,420 | $51.16 |
| Database Architect | $132,940 | $63.92 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $96,760 | $46.52 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1252. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for software developers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $138,900 a year, or $66.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $223,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of software developers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $223,550 a year. The top 25% earn $200,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,290 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $105,670 or less.
How many software developers work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 16,850 software developers are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.