Software Developer salary in Columbus, OH
Software Developers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $122,340 a year ($58.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,000 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 7% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $114,090. There are 8.9 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $123,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for software developers in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,130 | $38.53 |
| 25th percentile | $100,010 | $48.08 |
| Median | $122,340 | $58.82 |
| 75th percentile | $140,260 | $67.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,000 | $81.73 |
| Average (mean) | $123,630 | $59.44 |
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 | $10,195 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,097.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,705.38 |
| Weekly | $2,352.69 |
| Hourly | $58.82 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $121,420 | 9,900 |
| Springfield, OH | $118,150 | 80 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $118,130 | 50 |
| Lima, OH | $114,600 | 140 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $112,340 | 60 |
| Cleveland, OH | $111,310 | 8,460 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $110,780 | 280 |
| Sandusky, OH | $108,250 | 90 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $107,990 | 260 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $106,910 | 3,910 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $105,500 | 480 |
| Akron, OH | $105,430 | 2,240 |
| Toledo, OH | $104,360 | 880 |
| Mansfield, OH | $99,560 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer User Support Specialist | $62,540 | $30.07 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $107,230 | $51.55 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $129,940 | $62.47 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Information Security Analyst | $122,600 | $58.94 |
| Computer Network Architect | $131,260 | $63.10 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $103,110 | $49.57 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $96,010 | $46.16 |
| Database Architect | $135,840 | $65.31 |
| Database Administrator | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Computer Programmer | $80,910 | $38.90 |
| Web Developer | $83,860 | $40.32 |
| Data Scientist | $107,950 | $51.90 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for software developers in the Columbus, OH metro area is $122,340 a year, or $58.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of software developers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $170,000 a year. The top 25% earn $140,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,130 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $100,010 or less.
How many software developers work in Columbus, OH?
About 9,880 software developers are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.