Technology72% remote-eligible+4.3% YoY growth

Backend Developer Salary
by City (2026)

Design and maintain server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power applications. National median: $125K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$125K

Top 10% earn

$200K

Entry level

$90K

Salary growth

+4.3%/yr

Backend Developer salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$149K	$206K	$264K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$142K	$198K	$253K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$134K	$186K	$238K	187	6.85%
Oakland, CA	$133K	$185K	$237K	185	9.3%
Cambridge, MA	$133K	$185K	$236K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$133K	$185K	$236K	185	11%
Seattle, WA	$128K	$178K	$227K	150	None ✓
Bellevue, WA	$128K	$178K	$228K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$127K	$176K	$225K	172	9.3%
Washington, DC	$126K	$175K	$224K	152	8.5%
Boston, MA	$124K	$173K	$221K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$124K	$173K	$221K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$123K	$171K	$219K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$123K	$171K	$219K	165	5.75%
Los Angeles, CA	$122K	$169K	$216K	163	9.3%
Kirkland, WA	$122K	$169K	$216K	162	None ✓
Arlington, VA	$122K	$169K	$216K	148	5.75%
Stamford, CT	$120K	$166K	$213K	158	6.99%
Newark, NJ	$119K	$165K	$211K	155	10.75%
Hilo, HI	$118K	$164K	$210K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$117K	$163K	$208K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$116K	$161K	$206K	150	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$115K	$160K	$205K	155	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$115K	$160K	$204K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$115K	$160K	$204K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$113K	$158K	$202K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$113K	$158K	$202K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$111K	$154K	$197K	140	10.75%
Austin, TX	$110K	$153K	$195K	110	None ✓
Chula Vista, CA	$110K	$153K	$196K	138	9.3%
Portland, OR	$110K	$153K	$195K	130	9.9%
Edison, NJ	$110K	$153K	$196K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$110K	$153K	$196K	138	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$106K	$148K	$189K	128	9.3%
Tacoma, WA	$106K	$148K	$189K	128	None ✓
Denver, CO	$106K	$148K	$189K	118	4.55%
Plano, TX	$103K	$144K	$184K	105	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$103K	$144K	$184K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$103K	$144K	$184K	118	2.5%
Worcester, MA	$103K	$144K	$184K	120	5%
Salt Lake City, UT	$103K	$144K	$184K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$103K	$144K	$184K	115	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$103K	$144K	$184K	192	11%
New Haven, CT	$102K	$142K	$182K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$101K	$141K	$180K	120	None ✓
Dallas, TX	$101K	$140K	$179K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$101K	$140K	$179K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$101K	$140K	$179K	123	None ✓
Durham, NC	$101K	$140K	$179K	100	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$101K	$140K	$179K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$101K	$140K	$179K	106	6.8%
Frisco, TX	$100K	$139K	$178K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$100K	$139K	$178K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$100K	$139K	$178K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$100K	$139K	$178K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$100K	$139K	$178K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$100K	$139K	$178K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$100K	$139K	$178K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$100K	$139K	$178K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$100K	$139K	$178K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$100K	$139K	$178K	118	5.99%
Aurora, CO	$99K	$138K	$176K	112	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$99K	$138K	$176K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$99K	$138K	$176K	102	4.75%
Provo, UT	$99K	$138K	$176K	100	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$99K	$138K	$176K	118	6.99%
Anchorage, AK	$99K	$138K	$176K	128	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$99K	$137K	$176K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$99K	$137K	$176K	115	None ✓
Lakewood, CO	$99K	$137K	$176K	115	4.55%
Ann Arbor, MI	$99K	$137K	$176K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$99K	$137K	$176K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$99K	$137K	$176K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$99K	$137K	$176K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$99K	$137K	$176K	115	5.99%
Irving, TX	$97K	$135K	$173K	97	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$97K	$135K	$173K	118	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$97K	$135K	$173K	112	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$97K	$135K	$173K	105	2.5%
Fort Collins, CO	$97K	$135K	$173K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$97K	$135K	$173K	112	4.75%
St. Paul, MN	$97K	$135K	$173K	104	6.8%
Eugene, OR	$96K	$134K	$171K	110	9.9%
Round Rock, TX	$95K	$133K	$170K	108	None ✓
Gilbert, AZ	$95K	$133K	$170K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$95K	$133K	$170K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$95K	$133K	$170K	108	4.55%
Boise, ID	$95K	$133K	$170K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$95K	$133K	$170K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$95K	$131K	$168K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$95K	$131K	$168K	93	None ✓
Tampa, FL	$95K	$131K	$168K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$95K	$131K	$168K	100	2.5%
Charlotte, NC	$95K	$131K	$168K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$95K	$131K	$168K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$95K	$131K	$168K	90	3.07%
Reno, NV	$95K	$131K	$168K	108	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$94K	$130K	$167K	105	9.3%
Springfield, MA	$94K	$130K	$167K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$94K	$130K	$167K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$94K	$130K	$167K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$94K	$130K	$167K	105	5.8%
Arlington, TX	$92K	$128K	$163K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$92K	$128K	$163K	91	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$92K	$128K	$164K	102	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$92K	$128K	$163K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$92K	$128K	$163K	88	5%
Missoula, MT	$92K	$128K	$164K	102	6.75%
Denton, TX	$91K	$127K	$163K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$91K	$127K	$163K	100	9.3%
Cape Coral, FL	$91K	$127K	$163K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$91K	$127K	$163K	100	2.5%
Rochester, MN	$91K	$127K	$163K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$91K	$127K	$163K	100	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$91K	$127K	$163K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$91K	$127K	$163K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$91K	$126K	$161K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$91K	$126K	$161K	98	None ✓
Chesapeake, VA	$91K	$126K	$161K	98	5.75%
North Las Vegas, NV	$91K	$126K	$161K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$91K	$126K	$161K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$91K	$126K	$161K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$91K	$126K	$161K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$91K	$126K	$161K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$91K	$126K	$161K	98	7.15%
St. Petersburg, FL	$90K	$125K	$160K	105	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$90K	$125K	$160K	98	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$90K	$125K	$160K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$90K	$125K	$160K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$90K	$125K	$160K	102	5.3%
Charleston, SC	$90K	$125K	$160K	105	6.5%
Bakersfield, CA	$89K	$124K	$158K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$89K	$124K	$158K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$89K	$124K	$158K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$89K	$124K	$158K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$89K	$124K	$158K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$89K	$124K	$158K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$89K	$124K	$158K	95	6.5%
Colorado Springs, CO	$88K	$123K	$157K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$88K	$123K	$157K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$88K	$123K	$157K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$88K	$123K	$157K	102	None ✓
Midland, TX	$88K	$122K	$156K	92	None ✓
Athens, GA	$88K	$122K	$156K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$88K	$122K	$156K	92	6.8%
Greenville, SC	$88K	$122K	$156K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$88K	$122K	$156K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$87K	$120K	$154K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$87K	$120K	$154K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$87K	$120K	$154K	90	4.95%
Cincinnati, OH	$86K	$120K	$154K	88	3.99%
Sterling Heights, MI	$87K	$120K	$154K	90	4.25%
St. Louis, MO	$86K	$120K	$154K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$86K	$120K	$154K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$86K	$120K	$154K	90	5.3%
Kenosha, WI	$87K	$120K	$154K	90	5.3%
Fargo, ND	$87K	$120K	$154K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$86K	$119K	$152K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$86K	$119K	$152K	90	6.85%
Syracuse, NY	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$86K	$119K	$152K	93	None ✓
Gainesville, FL	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$86K	$119K	$152K	82	4.25%
Green Bay, WI	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$86K	$119K	$152K	88	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$84K	$117K	$150K	85	4.9%
San Antonio, TX	$83K	$115K	$147K	87	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$83K	$115K	$147K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$83K	$115K	$147K	95	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	3.23%
Louisville, KY	$83K	$115K	$147K	85	5%
Mobile, AL	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	4.75%
Des Moines, IA	$83K	$115K	$147K	88	4.82%
Davenport, IA	$83K	$115K	$147K	82	4.82%
Killeen, TX	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$82K	$114K	$145K	80	5%
Cleveland, OH	$81K	$113K	$144K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$81K	$113K	$144K	90	4.25%
New Orleans, LA	$81K	$113K	$144K	92	6%
Omaha, NE	$81K	$113K	$144K	88	5.84%
Abilene, TX	$81K	$112K	$144K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$81K	$112K	$144K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$81K	$112K	$144K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$81K	$112K	$144K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$81K	$112K	$144K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$81K	$112K	$144K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$79K	$110K	$141K	75	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$79K	$110K	$141K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$79K	$110K	$141K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$79K	$110K	$141K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$79K	$110K	$141K	85	None ✓
Birmingham, AL	$79K	$110K	$141K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$79K	$110K	$141K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$79K	$110K	$141K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$79K	$110K	$141K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$79K	$110K	$141K	88	5.9%
Fort Smith, AR	$79K	$110K	$141K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$79K	$110K	$141K	75	6.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$77K	$106K	$136K	84	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$77K	$106K	$136K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$77K	$106K	$136K	82	5.7%
El Paso, TX	$74K	$103K	$131K	82	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$74K	$103K	$131K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$72K	$100K	$128K	78	None ✓
Laredo, TX	$68K	$94K	$120K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $125K Backend Developer salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Backend Developer Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Backend Developer is $125,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $90,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $160,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Backend Developers nationally earn $200,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in CS or related. This role is 72% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Backend Developer compensation is growing at 4.3% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate.

Backend Developer salary FAQ

How much does a Backend Developer make?

The median Backend Developer salary in the US is $125,000 per year — about $60/hour. Most earn between $90,000 (25th percentile) and $160,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Backend Developer?

Entry-level Backend Developer positions typically start around $90,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Backend Developers earn?

The top 10% of Backend Developers earn $200,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Backend Developers the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Backend Developer salary at $206K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Backend Developer salaries going up?

Yes — Backend Developer pay is growing about 4.3% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.

Backend Developer Salaryby City (2026)