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2026 Salary Data — Fort Worth, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Software Engineer Salary in Fort Worth: $135K Median

Software Engineers in Fort Worth, TX earn between $88K and $213K per year.

That's +2% above the US national median of $132,270 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Software Engineer salary in Fort Worth, TX is $134,915 per year — +2% above the US national median of $132,270. Salaries range from $88,291 (entry, 25th percentile) to $212,792 (90th percentile). Software Engineers in Fort Worth earned approximately $21,760 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$134,915
+520.0% YoY · $11,243/mo
Entry
$96,900
0–2 years
Experienced
$178,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$212,792
Senior/lead
Software Engineer Salary — Fort Worth vs Nearby
Fort Worth
$135K
Houston
$139K
-3% vs Fort Worth
San Antonio
$123K
+10% vs Fort Worth
Dallas
$139K
-3% vs Fort Worth

Free ATS scan · Fort Worth employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Software Engineers in Fort Worth

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)

Fort Worth Job Market

Aerospace and logistics hub adjacent to Dallas.

Population
909K
Cost of Living
99
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$340K

Top Industries in Fort Worth

AerospaceLogisticsEnergyHealthcareManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers

Major employers active in Fort Worth 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 — Fort Worth

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$88,291$134,915$212,792
Monthly$7,358$11,243$17,733
Weekly$1,698$2,595$4,092
Hourly$42$65$102

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($132,270) adjusted for Fort Worth's cost-of-living multiplier (1.02×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Software Engineer Take-Home Pay in Fort Worth

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$102,871.403
Per month$8,573
Biweekly paycheck$3,957
Effective tax rate23.8%

Tax Breakdown on $134,915

Gross salary$134,915
Federal income tax−$21,722.6
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,320.998
Take-home (net)$102,871.403

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 — Fort Worth

Career-stage progression for Software Engineers in Fort Worth.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$89,148
2–3 yr$96,900
4–6 yr$137,700
7–10 yr$178,500
11–15 yr$210,630
15+ yr$195,646

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Fort Worth's 1.02× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$21,760
2026 median:$134,915
Change:+$113,155

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
$136,278
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Software Engineer Salary in Fort Worth

Walk-away anchor: $117,317 (offers below this are below market for Fort Worth).

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 $179K–$213K for experienced roles, citing Fort Worth market data and your specific Python/TypeScript expertise.

Software Engineer Salary FAQ — Fort Worth

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Fort Worth, TX?
The average Software Engineer salary in Fort Worth is $134,915 per year as of April 2026 — $11,243/month, $2,595/week, or about $65/hour. Salaries range from $88,291 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $212,792 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Fort Worth's cost-of-living multiplier (1.02×).
Is $134,915 a good Software Engineer salary in Fort Worth?
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. Fort Worth's cost-of-living index is 99 (vs 100 nationally), giving $134,915 a real purchasing power of approximately $136,278 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $134,915 in Fort Worth?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Fort Worth specifically (median home price $340,000), a $134,915 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $134,915 enough for a single person in Fort Worth?
A single adult in Fort Worth typically needs ~$44,550 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $134,915 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $134,915 enough for a couple in Fort Worth?
A couple (one earner) in Fort Worth typically needs ~$71,280 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $134,915 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $134,915 each ($269,830 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $134,915 enough for a family of 4 in Fort Worth?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Fort Worth typically needs ~$108,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $134,915 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 Fort Worth typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Fort Worth?
On a $134,915 Software Engineer salary in Fort Worth, TX, you take home approximately $102,871.403 per year ($8,573/month, $3,957 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $21,722.6, state $0, FICA $10,320.998. Effective tax rate: 23.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Software Engineers in Fort Worth earn compared to the US average?
Software Engineers in Fort Worth earn approximately 2% more than the US national median for this role ($132,270 nationally vs $134,915 in Fort Worth). However, Fort Worth's cost-of-living index of 99 means real purchasing power is approximately $136,278 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Software Engineer earn in Fort Worth?
Entry-level Software Engineers in Fort Worth typically start at around $96,900 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Software Engineers earn $178,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $212,792+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Software Engineer salaries in Fort Worth increase in 2026?
Yes — Software Engineer salaries in Fort Worth grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $21,760 in 2025 to $134,915 in 2026 (+$113,155). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Python and TypeScript demand.
What's the job outlook for Software Engineers in Fort Worth?
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. Fort Worth's top industries include Aerospace, Logistics, Energy, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — 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 Fort Worth.
Who are the top employers hiring Software Engineers in Fort Worth?
Top employers hiring Software Engineers in or near Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth?
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 Fort Worth?
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 Fort Worth?
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) is the typical path. However, Fort Worth'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 Fort Worth are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($132,270) by Fort Worth's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.02× — 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 Fort Worth

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

Software Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$139KHouston, TX$139KPhoenix, AZ$132KPhiladelphia, PA$138KSan Antonio, TX$123KDallas, TX$139KAustin, TX$152KCharlotte, NC$135K

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