Salary data is only useful when you understand what it measures. A raw salary number without context — purchasing power, equity norms, remote pay practices, total compensation structure — can lead you to accept a bad offer or decline a good one. This report covers the major tech labour markets with enough context to make useful decisions.
How to read this data
All figures below are mid-range (P50) total cash compensation for experienced (3–7 year) professionals unless noted. Equity, benefits, and bonuses are excluded from headline numbers but noted where they significantly affect total compensation. Figures are approximate — use them for ballpark calibration, not contract negotiation.
United States
The US remains the global benchmark for software engineering compensation, with San Francisco/New York commanding the highest premiums.
| Role | Low-cost US city | San Francisco/NYC |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer (mid) | $130,000–$160,000 | $180,000–$250,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $160,000–$200,000 | $230,000–$320,000 |
| Data Scientist (mid) | $120,000–$150,000 | $160,000–$220,000 |
| Product Manager (mid) | $140,000–$175,000 | $180,000–$250,000 |
Note: Big Tech (FAANG equivalents) add substantial equity on top of these figures.
United Kingdom
London commands a significant premium over the rest of the UK. Remote roles have moderated but not eliminated this gap.
| Role | Outside London | London |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer (mid) | £60,000–£80,000 | £80,000–£120,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | £80,000–£110,000 | £110,000–£160,000 |
| Data Scientist (mid) | £55,000–£75,000 | £75,000–£110,000 |
Germany
Strong tech market, particularly Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. Total compensation includes strong benefits and social contributions.
| Role | Gross salary range |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer (mid) | €70,000–€95,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | €95,000–€130,000 |
| Data Scientist (mid) | €65,000–€90,000 |
Canada
Toronto and Vancouver are the primary tech hubs. Salaries are lower than US equivalents but the gap has narrowed for senior roles.
| Role | Toronto/Vancouver |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer (mid) | CAD $100,000–$140,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | CAD $140,000–$190,000 |
| Data Scientist (mid) | CAD $95,000–$135,000 |
India (Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune)
Strong domestic tech market, significant premium for those with international company experience or specific AI/ML skills.
| Role | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer (mid) | ₹20–40 LPA |
| Senior Software Engineer | ₹40–80 LPA |
| Data Scientist (mid) | ₹25–50 LPA |
Remote pay dynamics in 2026
The “location-independent salary” model (paying the same regardless of where you live) has largely been replaced by localised remote pay at most large companies. Most companies now use one of three models:
- Market rate for hiring country (most common for well-funded companies)
- Location-adjusted bands (pay varies by where you live)
- Contractor/freelance rate (no location policy required)
For remote roles at US/UK companies, clarify which model applies before evaluating the offer.
What’s moving salaries in 2026
- AI/ML premiums: Engineers with production ML deployment experience command 20–40% premiums
- Cloud architecture: Senior cloud engineers remain in high demand across markets
- Security: Cybersecurity engineering continues to command above-market rates
- Compression at the top: Very senior individual contributor compensation has plateaued somewhat after the 2021–2023 surge
FAQ
Not significantly in most markets. They’ve moderated from the 2021–2022 peak, particularly at big tech companies, but remain strong by historical standards.
For Big Tech and late-stage startups, equity can double or triple total comp. For most other roles, cash + bonus is the primary comparison point.
Levels.fyi for big tech compensation data, Glassdoor for general ranges, and LinkedIn Salary for local market data.