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Software Developer Salary in Philadelphia, PA — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Philadelphia's cost of living (index: 101). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Software Developer Salary in Philadelphia — Key Numbers

$131,462
Median Salary
$100,798
25th Percentile
$170,256
75th Percentile
$210,706
90th Percentile
National median (Software Developer)$130,160
vs. National median+1.0%
Philadelphia median household income$54,800
vs. City household income+139.9%

Cost of Living in Philadelphia

Cost of Living Index
101(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,350/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio12.3%
Annual rent cost$16,200
Median Home Price$265,000
Home Price / Salary2.0×
20% Down Payment$53,000
Years to save (20% rate)2.0 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Philadelphia

4.4%
Unemployment Rate
6,250,000
Metro Population
30 min
Avg Commute
34.8
Median Age

Philadelphia has a metro population of 6,250,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.4% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Philadelphia

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Cost of Living — Philadelphia
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Software Developer Salary in Pennsylvania
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Philadelphia

Physician$231,593Chief Executive Officer$212,100Dentist$177,265IT Manager$171,205Marketing Manager$159,196Lawyer$147,218

Software Developer Salary — Other Pennsylvania Cities

Pittsburgh, PA$118,446Allentown, PA$127,557Harrisburg, PA$118,446Scranton, PA$110,636Lancaster, PA$122,350

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Software Developer make in Philadelphia, PA?

The estimated median salary for a Software Developer in Philadelphia is $131,462 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $130,160 adjusted by Philadelphia's cost of living index (101). The typical salary range runs from $100,798 (25th percentile) to $170,256 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $210,706.

Is Philadelphia affordable for a Software Developer?

On a $131,462 annual salary, a Software Developer in Philadelphia would spend approximately 12.3% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,350/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Philadelphia relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $265,000 is 2.0× the annual salary.

How does a Software Developer's salary compare to Philadelphia's overall income?

Philadelphia's median household income is $54,800. A Software Developer earning the city-adjusted median of $131,462 earns 139.9% more than the typical Philadelphia household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

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Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.