Software Engineer Salary UK (2026)
The UK median Software Engineer salary is £52,000 per year. Entry-level: £32,000 · Senior: £95,000. Also known as: Software Developer, Programmer, Coder, Application Developer.
UK-wide salary distribution
Software Engineer hiring market in the UK
Demand for Software Engineers in the UK has been strongly positive over the last three to five years, with employer hiring volumes outstripping qualified candidate supply in most major cities. The highest-paying UK city on this site for the role is London at £66,560 median, which is roughly what a competent mid-level practitioner can expect to earn there with three to five years of experience.
Pay progression for a Software Engineer in the UK is rarely linear. Most of the gain happens at three points: the move from entry-level to mid (typically in years 2–3), the move into senior or principal positions (years 6–8), and — for those who pursue it — a lateral jump into management, consulting or independent contracting. Sitting in the same role waiting for inflationary increases is by some distance the slowest path; changing employer every three to four years remains the dominant pay-rise mechanism in the UK labour market.
Software Engineer salary by UK city
| City | Lower quartile | Median | Upper quartile | vs UK avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £48,640 | £66,560 | £92,160 | +28% |
| Cambridge | £43,700 | £59,800 | £82,800 | +15% |
| Oxford | £42,940 | £58,760 | £81,360 | +13% |
| Reading | £42,560 | £58,240 | £80,640 | +12% |
| Edinburgh | £41,040 | £56,160 | £77,760 | +8% |
| Bristol | £40,280 | £55,120 | £76,320 | +6% |
| Brighton | £39,900 | £54,600 | £75,600 | +5% |
| Milton Keynes | £39,900 | £54,600 | £75,600 | +5% |
| Aberdeen | £39,520 | £54,080 | £74,880 | +4% |
| Southampton | £39,520 | £54,080 | £74,880 | +4% |
| Manchester | £38,760 | £53,040 | £73,440 | +2% |
| Leeds | £38,000 | £52,000 | £72,000 | +0% |
| Birmingham | £37,240 | £50,960 | £70,560 | -2% |
| Glasgow | £36,860 | £50,440 | £69,840 | -3% |
| Cardiff | £36,100 | £49,400 | £68,400 | -5% |
| Nottingham | £35,720 | £48,880 | £67,680 | -6% |
| Liverpool | £35,340 | £48,360 | £66,960 | -7% |
| Sheffield | £35,340 | £48,360 | £66,960 | -7% |
| Newcastle | £34,960 | £47,840 | £66,240 | -8% |
| Belfast | £34,200 | £46,800 | £64,800 | -10% |
Take-home pay calculator · 2024/25
Software Engineer
£39,088/yr · £752/wk · effective rate 24.8%
| Gross salary | £52,000 |
| Pension (5%) | −£2,600 |
| Income tax | −£7,366 |
| National Insurance | −£2,946 |
| Net take-home | £39,088 |
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Core skills for Software Engineers
- JavaScript
- Python
- Git
- SQL
- System design
- Agile
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Software Engineer salary in the UK?
The average UK Software Engineer salary is £52,000 per year (ONS 2025). The lower quartile is £38,000 and the upper quartile is £72,000.
Where do Software Engineers earn the most in the UK?
Software Engineers earn most in London (£66,560 median), followed by Cambridge (£59,800) and Oxford (£58,760). See the full city table above.
What qualifications does a Software Engineer need?
Core skills and qualifications for Software Engineers include: JavaScript, Python, Git, SQL, System design, Agile. Entry-level roles start at around £32,000; senior positions reach £95,000+.
Is Software Engineer a good career in the UK?
The career outlook for Software Engineers is high. Salaries have grown broadly in line with wage inflation, with experienced professionals in high-cost cities (London, Cambridge, Oxford) earning 15–30% above the UK median.