Senior Software Engineer Salary Guide (2026)
Senior Software Engineer
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Senior Software Engineer salaries vary significantly by location, experience level, and company size. Across the 12 locations we track, the average median salary is $93,510.
The highest-paying location is Frankfurt, where the median salary reaches €95,000 ($102,600) (cost of living: 52/100). However, high salaries don't always translate to higher purchasing power — factor in the cost of living and tax implications for each location.
Europe: European senior software engineers typically earn between $75,600 and $140,400 (USD equivalent). While lower in absolute terms, strong worker protections, healthcare, and paid leave can offset the gap.
These figures reflect base compensation and may not include bonuses, equity grants, or other benefits that often matter when you compare offers across markets. For the most accurate picture, click into a specific city to see detailed breakdowns, top hiring companies, and career advice tailored to that market.
Compare compensation across cities. All salaries shown in local currency with USD equivalent for comparison.
| Location | Salary Range | Median | Cost of LivingCoL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfurt GermanyAll Frankfurt salaries | €85,000 – €130,000 ≈ $91,800 – $140,400 | €95,000 ≈ $102,600 | 52/100 |
| Stuttgart GermanyAll Stuttgart salaries | €80,000 – €125,000 ≈ $86,400 – $135,000 | €92,000 ≈ $99,360 | 55/100 |
| Bonn GermanyAll Bonn salaries | €78,000 – €110,000 ≈ $84,240 – $118,800 | €90,000 ≈ $97,200 | 49/100 |
| Hamburg GermanyAll Hamburg salaries | €75,000 – €115,000 ≈ $81,000 – $124,200 | €88,000 ≈ $95,040 | 51/100 |
| Hannover GermanyAll Hannover salaries | €75,000 – €110,000 ≈ $81,000 – $118,800 | €88,000 ≈ $95,040 | 47/100 |
| Dresden GermanyAll Dresden salaries | €78,000 – €100,000 ≈ $84,240 – $108,000 | €86,000 ≈ $92,880 | 44/100 |
| Cologne GermanyAll Cologne salaries | €75,000 – €115,000 ≈ $81,000 – $124,200 | €85,000 ≈ $91,800 | 49/100 |
| Düsseldorf GermanyAll Düsseldorf salaries | €75,000 – €120,000 ≈ $81,000 – $129,600 | €85,000 ≈ $91,800 | 51/100 |
| Nuremberg GermanyAll Nuremberg salaries | €75,000 – €105,000 ≈ $81,000 – $113,400 | €85,000 ≈ $91,800 | 48/100 |
| Dortmund GermanyAll Dortmund salaries | €72,000 – €105,000 ≈ $77,760 – $113,400 | €84,000 ≈ $90,720 | 46/100 |
| Essen GermanyAll Essen salaries | €70,000 – €102,000 ≈ $75,600 – $110,160 | €81,000 ≈ $87,480 | 45/100 |
| Leipzig GermanyAll Leipzig salaries | €72,000 – €95,000 ≈ $77,760 – $102,600 | €80,000 ≈ $86,400 | 43/100 |
USD conversions use approximate exchange rates for comparison purposes. Cost of Living: 100 = most expensive, lower is cheaper.
Go beyond salary data — practical guides to help you land the role and negotiate the best offer.
The average median senior software engineer salary across 12 locations is $93,510 (USD). However, this varies significantly by location — from $77,760 to $134,460 depending on the city and market.
Frankfurt currently shows the highest median salary in this data set at $102,600. Absolute pay is only one part of the picture, so compare employer mix, taxes, and cost of living before treating it as the strongest overall market.
Location is one of the biggest salary drivers for senior software engineers. Market maturity, employer mix, cost of living, and the density of local tech hiring all influence compensation, which is why city-by-city comparisons are more useful than a single global number.
The salary ranges shown here reflect base compensation. Some employers also add bonuses, equity, and benefits, so use the city-level pages as a starting point and pressure-test any offer against the specific employer and market you are targeting.
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