Software Engineering Salary in South East
The South East consistently ranks as the UK's second-highest paying region, benefiting from proximity to London, strong transport links and a concentration of technology, pharmaceutical and financial services employers along corridors such as the M4 and M3.
Housing costs are above the national average, particularly in commuter towns. Some employers offer London-adjacent salary packages.
Salary Trajectory
| Stage | Years Exp | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Developer | 0+ | £26,500 | £31,800 | £37,100 | £42,400 |
| Developer | 2+ | £33,920 | £42,400 | £50,880 | £58,300 |
| Senior Developer | 5+ | £47,700 | £58,300 | £72,080 | £84,800 |
| Staff / Lead Engineer | 8+ | £63,600 | £76,320 | £90,100 | £106,000 |
| Engineering Manager | 10+ | £74,200 | £90,100 | £106,000 | £127,200 |
| Director of Engineering | 14+ | £95,400 | £116,600 | £143,100 | £169,600 |
| VP Engineering | 18+ | £127,200 | £159,000 | £196,100 | £243,800 |
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How South East Compares
Mid-career Software Engineering median salary by region
Compare with Other Careers in South East
Cyber Security
Data Science & Analytics
DevOps / Cloud Engineering
IT Support / Systems Admin
Software Engineering in Other Regions
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Based on ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) via NOMIS. Regional salary adjustments derived from ONS regional pay differentials. Career progression timelines based on industry research. All figures are gross annual pay estimates for full-time workers.