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2026 Salary Data — Cleveland, OH
Updated April 28, 2026

Software Engineer Salary in Cleveland: $122K Median

Software Engineers in Cleveland, OH earn between $80K and $192K per year.

That's -8% below the US national median of $132,270 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Software Engineer salary in Cleveland, OH is $121,688 per year — -8% below the US national median of $132,270. Salaries range from $79,635 (entry, 25th percentile) to $191,930 (90th percentile). Software Engineers in Cleveland earned approximately $19,627 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$121,688
+520.0% YoY · $10,141/mo
Entry
$87,400
0–2 years
Experienced
$161,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$191,930
Senior/lead
Software Engineer Salary — Cleveland vs Nearby
Cleveland
$122K
Columbus
$128K
-5% vs Cleveland
Oklahoma City
$116K
+5% vs Cleveland
Louisville
$120K
+1% vs Cleveland

Free ATS scan · Cleveland employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Software Engineers in Cleveland

Software engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. They work across web, mobile, backend, and cloud platforms using languages like Python, JavaScript, and Java.

Core Responsibilities

  • Write clean, scalable code
  • Design system architecture
  • Code review and testing
  • Collaborate with product and design teams
  • Optimize performance and reliability

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)

In-demand certifications

AWS Certified Solutions ArchitectGoogle Cloud ProfessionalMicrosoft AzureKubernetes (CKAD)

Cleveland Job Market

Major medical hub anchored by Cleveland Clinic.

Population
372K
Cost of Living
88
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Cleveland

Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic)FinanceManufacturingTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers

Major employers active in Cleveland or hiring remotely from this metro.

Google
Microsoft
Meta
Amazon
Apple
Stripe
Anthropic
OpenAI

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Software Engineer listings.

PythonTypeScriptAWS/AzureLLM/RAGKubernetesGo/Rust

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PythonJavaScriptTypeScriptReactNode.jsAWSCI/CDsystem designmicroservicesAPI development
Career Outlook
+17% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Software developer employment is projected to grow 17% through 2034 — adding 327,900 new jobs. AI and cloud computing demand continues to drive growth, particularly for engineers with ML/AI skills.

Software Engineer Salary Breakdown — Cleveland

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$79,635$121,688$191,930
Monthly$6,636$10,141$15,994
Weekly$1,531$2,340$3,691
Hourly$38$59$92

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($132,270) adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Software Engineer Take-Home Pay in Cleveland

After federal, state, local, and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$87,746.348
Per month$7,312
Biweekly paycheck$3,375
Effective tax rate27.9%

Tax Breakdown on $121,688

Gross salary$121,688
Federal income tax−$18,548.12
Ohio state tax−$3,042.2
Cleveland local tax−$3,042.2
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,309.132
Take-home (net)$87,746.348

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Software Engineer Salary by Experience — Cleveland

Career-stage progression for Software Engineers in Cleveland.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$80,408
2–3 yr$87,400
4–6 yr$124,200
7–10 yr$161,000
11–15 yr$189,980
15+ yr$176,465

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Cleveland's 0.92× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$19,627
2026 median:$121,688
Change:+$102,061

Technology sector growth driven by demand for Python and TypeScript.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$138,282
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Software Engineer Salary in Cleveland

Walk-away anchor: $105,816 (offers below this are below market for Cleveland).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $161K–$192K for experienced roles, citing Cleveland market data and your specific Python/TypeScript expertise.

Software Engineer Salary FAQ — Cleveland

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Cleveland, OH?
The average Software Engineer salary in Cleveland is $121,688 per year as of April 2026 — $10,141/month, $2,340/week, or about $59/hour. Salaries range from $79,635 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $191,930 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×).
Is $121,688 a good Software Engineer salary in Cleveland?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Cleveland's cost-of-living index is 88 (vs 100 nationally), giving $121,688 a real purchasing power of approximately $138,282 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $121,688 in Cleveland?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Cleveland specifically (median home price $175,000), a $121,688 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $121,688 enough for a single person in Cleveland?
A single adult in Cleveland typically needs ~$39,600 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $121,688 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $121,688 enough for a couple in Cleveland?
A couple (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$63,360 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $121,688 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $121,688 each ($243,376 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $121,688 enough for a family of 4 in Cleveland?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$96,800 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $121,688 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Software Engineer income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Cleveland typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Cleveland?
On a $121,688 Software Engineer salary in Cleveland, OH, you take home approximately $87,746.348 per year ($7,312/month, $3,375 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $18,548.12, state $3,042.2, local $3,042.2, FICA $9,309.132. Effective tax rate: 27.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Software Engineers in Cleveland earn compared to the US average?
Software Engineers in Cleveland earn approximately 8% less than the US national median for this role ($132,270 nationally vs $121,688 in Cleveland). However, Cleveland's cost-of-living index of 88 means real purchasing power is approximately $138,282 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Software Engineer earn in Cleveland?
Entry-level Software Engineers in Cleveland typically start at around $87,400 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Software Engineers earn $161,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $191,930+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Software Engineer salaries in Cleveland increase in 2026?
Yes — Software Engineer salaries in Cleveland grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $19,627 in 2025 to $121,688 in 2026 (+$102,061). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Python and TypeScript demand.
What's the job outlook for Software Engineers in Cleveland?
Software developer employment is projected to grow 17% through 2034 — adding 327,900 new jobs. AI and cloud computing demand continues to drive growth, particularly for engineers with ML/AI skills. Cleveland's top industries include Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), Finance, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Software Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Software Engineers are: Python, TypeScript, AWS/Azure, LLM/RAG, Kubernetes, Go/Rust. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Cleveland.
Who are the top employers hiring Software Engineers in Cleveland?
Top employers hiring Software Engineers in or near Cleveland include: Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Stripe. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Software Engineer salary in Cleveland?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my Software Engineer salary in Cleveland?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Python, TypeScript, AWS/Azure) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Google Cloud Professional). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Software Engineer in Cleveland?
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) is the typical path. However, Cleveland's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

Software Engineer salary figures for Cleveland are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($132,270) by Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Cleveland

Data Scientist →DevOps Engineer →Product Manager →Cybersecurity Analyst →Web Developer →Machine Learning Engineer →

Software Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$123KJacksonville, FL$122KColumbus, OH$128KIndianapolis, IN$123KDetroit, MI$123KMemphis, TN$116KOklahoma City, OK$116KLas Vegas, NV$126K

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