Software Developer salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Software Developers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $125,580 a year ($60.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,000 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $122,430. There are 3.7 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $122,600, close to the median.
Pay range for software developers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| 25th percentile | $98,140 | $47.18 |
| Median | $125,580 | $60.38 |
| 75th percentile | $139,510 | $67.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,000 | $80.77 |
| Average (mean) | $122,600 | $58.94 |
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 | $10,465 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,232.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,830 |
| Weekly | $2,415 |
| Hourly | $60.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $126,610 | 7,750 |
| Knoxville, TN | $121,750 | 2,390 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $117,610 | 60 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $116,490 | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $115,310 | 430 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $114,140 | 200 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $106,750 | 990 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $105,130 | 2,490 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $104,240 | 300 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $104,070 | 1,590 |
| Johnson City, TN | $103,320 | 300 |
| Cleveland, TN | $102,600 | 110 |
| Morristown, TN | $102,390 | 50 |
| Jackson, MS | $96,990 | 550 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $96,650 | 310 |
| Jackson, TN | $96,540 | 130 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $84,990 | 130 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $81,690 | $39.28 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $100,640 | $48.38 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $89,250 | $42.91 |
| Computer Network Architect | $126,400 | $60.77 |
| Information Security Analyst | $97,370 | $46.81 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $70,720 | $34.00 |
| Database Administrator | $92,680 | $44.56 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $62,460 | $30.03 |
| Web Developer | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $91,040 | $43.77 |
| Database Architect | $124,080 | $59.65 |
| Computer Programmer | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Data Scientist | $102,220 | $49.15 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for software developers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $125,580 a year, or $60.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of software developers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $168,000 a year. The top 25% earn $139,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,520 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $98,140 or less.
How many software developers work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 2,270 software developers are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.