A mid-level software engineer in Utah typically falls between the 25th and 75th percentiles, putting compensation in the $100,530 to $160,570 range. The median of $128,810 is a practical anchor for a mid-level offer, since it reflects what the majority of employed software engineers in the state actually earn. If the role carries meaningful ownership or cross-functional scope, budgeting closer to $140,000 to $150,000 will keep your offer competitive with candidates who have options.
Software engineer salary in Utah (2026)
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The average software engineer salary in Utah is $129,860 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $128,810 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Utah employs 31,940 software engineers, and the $1,050 gap between the mean and median signals real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior engineers in Utah typically earn around $77,810, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $177,970 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a software engineer hire in Utah, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $128,810 |
Average Annual Salary | $129,860 |
vs. National Average | 12.3% below the national mean of $148,100 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 31,940 employed software engineers across Utah.
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Software engineer salary percentiles in Utah
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $77,810 |
25th Percentile | $100,530 |
75th Percentile | $160,570 |
90th Percentile | $177,970 |
Employers hiring at the entry level can anchor offers near $77,810, but roles requiring deep specialization or senior leadership will push compensation toward $160,570 to $177,970. The wide spread across these percentiles means that job title alone is not enough to set a defensible offer — seniority and scope of work must drive the number you put on the table.
Software engineer salary by city in Utah
City | Average Annual Salary |
Salt Lake City | $131,400 |
St. George | $123,400 |
Ogden | $117,940 |
Logan | $110,820 |
Where you hire within Utah meaningfully affects your compensation budget, so location should factor into your offer strategy from the start. Salt Lake City commands the highest average at $131,400, while Logan sits at $110,820 — a $20,580 difference that can shift your total payroll cost noticeably if you are hiring multiple engineers. Employers with flexibility on remote or hybrid arrangements may find secondary markets like Ogden or Logan offer access to qualified candidates at lower prevailing rates.
How Utah compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Utah | $129,860 | $128,810 |
Colorado | $150,940 | $138,390 |
Idaho | $134,370 | $131,590 |
Nevada | $137,350 | $128,810 |
Arizona | $132,530 | $129,690 |
Wyoming | $123,360 | $115,170 |
Utah is a cost-effective market for software engineer hiring relative to most of its neighbors, which gives employers here a real budgeting advantage when competing for talent against Colorado or Nevada-based companies. Utah's mean of $129,860 sits below Colorado's $150,940 and Nevada's $137,350, yet remains above Wyoming's $123,360. Employers recruiting across state lines should be aware that candidates considering Colorado roles will carry higher salary expectations into negotiations.
Frequently asked questions about software engineer salary in Utah
How much does a mid level software engineer make in Utah?
What is the average software engineer salary in Utah?
The average software engineer salary in Utah is $129,860 per year. That figure sits 12.3% below the national mean of $148,100, which matters if you are competing for candidates who are also fielding offers from employers in higher-paying states. Use the median of $128,810 as your baseline for most offers, and reserve the upper range for roles with specialized requirements.
What is the salary range for a software engineer in Utah?
The salary range for a software engineer in Utah runs from $77,810 at the 10th percentile to $177,970 at the 90th percentile. That spread reflects the full spectrum from entry-level contributors to senior specialists, so the right number for your hire depends heavily on the seniority and technical depth of the role. Anchoring your budget to the 25th through 75th percentile range of $100,530 to $160,570 covers the majority of mid-career candidates you are likely to evaluate.
What do the top-earning software engineers make in Utah?
The top-earning software engineers in Utah reach $177,970 at the 90th percentile. Senior specialists and engineers in high-demand niches are the candidates most likely to command offers at or above that level. If you are recruiting for a principal or staff-level role, plan your budget above $160,570 and expect candidates at the top of the market to negotiate toward or past the 90th percentile threshold.
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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