Software developer Salary UK
Programmers and software development professionals in the UK earn a median salary of £55,587 a year (ONS ASHE 2025, gross pay, all employee jobs), and the middle half earn between £41,141 and £75,077. The figures cover the ONS occupation group “Programmers and software development professionals” (SOC 2134).
Pay by career stage and region: Software Engineer salary by region · Software Engineer salary London
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £56,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For programmers and software development professionals, £56,914 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +46% versus the national average. Experienced programmers and software development professionals (top 25%) earn over £75,077.
About this role
Programmers and software development professionals design, build, test and maintain software applications, systems and digital services. They write code in various programming languages, collaborate with stakeholders to understand requirements and implement technical solutions that meet business needs.
Key responsibilities
- Designing and writing clean, efficient, well-documented code
- Building, testing and deploying software applications
- Collaborating with product managers, designers and other developers
- Debugging and resolving software defects and performance issues
- Participating in code reviews and contributing to technical documentation
Qualifications and entry routes
Typically requires a degree in computer science, software engineering or a related field. However, self-taught developers and bootcamp graduates are increasingly common. Professional certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) add value.
Career outlook
Exceptionally strong demand across all sectors. AI/ML, cloud computing and cybersecurity specialisations command premium salaries.
Key skills
Common industries
- Technology
- Financial services
- E-commerce
- Healthcare technology
- All sectors with digital operations
Data coverage
Salary Range (2025)
Estimated Career Progression
Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation
Entry Level
£30,752
0-2 years
Mid Level
£41,141
3-7 years
Senior
£75,077
8-15 years
Leadership
£101,172
15+ years
Potential career growth: ▲ +229% from entry to leadership
Salary Trend (2015-2025)
Gender Pay Comparison (2025)
Gender pay gap: 19.7%
Full-time vs All Employees (2025)
Full-time premium: +£1,327
Software developer salary: common questions
How much do programmers and software development professionals earn in the UK?
Is £56,914 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for programmers and software development professionals?
How much do the highest-paid programmers and software development professionals earn?
Have programmers and software development professionals salaries kept up with inflation?
Is there a gender pay gap for programmers and software development professionals?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025). How the figures are built: salary data methodology.
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