Design, develop, and maintain software systems. One of the highest-demand roles in the US labor market. Median salary in Cary: $146K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Cary, North Carolina. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Software Engineers in Cary earn approximately 12% higher than the US national median for this role — a $16,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Cary's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
This role is 72% remote-eligible nationally according to job-posting analysis, which significantly expands the job market for Cary-based Software Engineers. Many Cary professionals in this role are paid on the locality scale of their employer's HQ rather than Cary's local rate — verify which scale your offer references before negotiating.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $176K by 2030.
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The median Software Engineer salary in Cary, NC is $146,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Cary–NC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Software Engineers in Cary with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $106,000 and $146,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $146,000 to $185,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $185,000 to $235,000 or more.
Cary has a cost of living index of 112 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Cary are close to the national average. North Carolina has a 4.75% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's in CS or related. This role is 72% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Cary-based professionals.