The salary range for a software engineer in Ohio runs from $77,790 at the 10th percentile to $168,400 at the 90th percentile. When budgeting a hire, use the 25th percentile of $96,200 as a floor for entry-level roles and the 75th percentile of $135,490 as a reasonable target for experienced engineers. The seniority and specialization of the specific role you are filling will determine where within that range your offer should land.
Software engineer salary in Ohio (2026)
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The average software engineer salary in Ohio is $119,860 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $114,090 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Ohio employs 44,790 software engineers, and the $5,770 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior engineers in Ohio typically earn around $77,790, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $168,400 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a software engineer hire in Ohio, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $114,090 |
Average Annual Salary | $119,860 |
vs. National Average | 19.1% below the national mean of $148,100 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 44,790 employed software engineers across Ohio.
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Software engineer salary percentiles in Ohio
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $77,790 |
25th Percentile | $96,200 |
75th Percentile | $135,490 |
90th Percentile | $168,400 |
If you are hiring a mid-level software engineer in Ohio, expect to set an offer somewhere between $96,200 and $135,490 to stay competitive across the bulk of the market. Senior specialists who reach the 90th percentile command $168,400, so roles requiring deep specialization or leadership responsibility will need a budget well above the median.
Software engineer salary by city in Ohio
City | Average Annual Salary |
Columbus | $123,630 |
Cincinnati | $122,700 |
Toledo | $114,110 |
Where you hire within Ohio will affect your compensation budget, though the spread across major metros is relatively contained. Columbus leads at $123,630 and Toledo sits at $114,110, a difference of roughly $9,500 in average annual pay. If you are hiring remotely across Ohio or choosing between office locations, Columbus and Cincinnati carry nearly identical compensation expectations, while Toledo offers a modest cost advantage.
How Ohio compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Ohio | $119,860 | $114,090 |
Illinois | $136,540 | $132,110 |
Pennsylvania | $128,110 | $126,550 |
Michigan | $122,720 | $125,570 |
Kentucky | $120,730 | $109,010 |
Indiana | $113,980 | $105,920 |
Ohio sits near the lower end of the Midwest peer group, which makes it a relatively cost-effective market for software engineer hiring compared to Illinois and Pennsylvania. Ohio's average of $119,860 trails Illinois by $16,680 and Pennsylvania by $8,250, but it runs close to Michigan at $122,720 and Kentucky at $120,730. Indiana is the only neighboring state where compensation expectations run consistently lower than Ohio's.
Frequently asked questions about software engineer salary in Ohio
What is the salary range for a software engineer in Ohio?
What is the average software engineer salary in Ohio?
The average software engineer salary in Ohio is $119,860 per year. The median of $114,090 is a more grounded benchmark for most hiring decisions, since a smaller group of higher-compensated roles pulls the average above the midpoint. Use the median to anchor your initial offer range and adjust upward based on the seniority of the candidate you are targeting.
What do the top-earning software engineers make in Ohio?
Software engineers at the 90th percentile in Ohio earn $168,400 per year. Roles at this level typically involve deep technical specialization, architecture responsibilities, or senior leadership. If you are competing for talent at this tier, plan your compensation budget well above the statewide median of $114,090.
How does Ohio compare to other states for software engineer salary?
Ohio's average software engineer salary of $119,860 places it below several nearby states, including Illinois at $136,540 and Pennsylvania at $128,110. Michigan and Kentucky are closer comparisons, with averages of $122,720 and $120,730 respectively. For employers hiring in Ohio, this positions the state as a cost-effective option relative to larger Midwest tech markets, though candidates with experience in Illinois or Pennsylvania may arrive with higher salary expectations.
Software Engineer salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 15-1252 (Software Developers).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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