2026 Salary — Texas
Updated April 29, 2026
Software Engineer Salary in Texas: $135K Median
Software Engineers in Texas earn between $88K and $213K per year.
That's +2% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Software Engineer salary in Texas 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). Texas's cost-of-living index is 93. Texas has no state income tax.
Median
$134,915
+520.0% YoY
Entry
$96,900
Experienced
$178,500
Top 10%
$212,792
About Software Engineers in Texas
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.
Hot 2026 Skills
PythonTypeScriptAWS/AzureLLM/RAGKubernetesGo/Rust
ATS Keywords
PythonJavaScriptTypeScriptReactNode.jsAWSCI/CDsystem designmicroservicesAPI development
Software Engineer Salary in Texas Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Houston | $138,884 |
| Dallas | $138,884 |
| Austin | $152,111 |
| San Antonio | $123,011 |
| Fort Worth | $134,915 |
| El Paso | $112,430 |
| Arlington | $132,270 |
How to Negotiate Your Software Engineer Salary in Texas
Walk-away anchor: $117,317.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Software Engineer Salary FAQ — Texas
What is the average Software Engineer salary in Texas?
The average Software Engineer salary in Texas is $134,915 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $88,291 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $212,792 (90th percentile). Texas has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.
How does Software Engineer pay in Texas compare to the US average?
Software Engineers in Texas earn approximately 2% more than the US national median ($132,270 nationally vs $134,915 in Texas). Texas's cost-of-living index of 93 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Software Engineer salaries in Texas increase in 2026?
Yes — Software Engineer salaries in Texas grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $21,760 in 2025 to $134,915 in 2026. This reflects the broader Technology sector's wage growth, driven by Python and TypeScript demand.
Which Texas cities pay Software Engineers the most?
Top-paying Texas metros for Software Engineers: Houston ($139K), Dallas ($139K), Austin ($152K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Software Engineers in Texas?
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. Texas's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Tech, Healthcare, and the state's unemployment rate is 4.1% — steady demand for skilled workers.
Does Texas have state income tax?
No, Texas has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $134,915, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).
What skills are most in demand for Software Engineers in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Python, TypeScript, AWS/Azure, LLM/RAG, Kubernetes, Go/Rust. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Texas employers.
How can I increase my Software Engineer salary in Texas?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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. Walk-away anchor for Texas: $117,317.
Methodology
Texas Software Engineer salary is the BLS national median ($132,270) adjusted by Texas's state multiplier (1.02×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
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