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Best states for a software leader
Quoted expert
Dr. Ted Junseok Song
- Rank 1 - 10
- 11 - 20
- 21 - 30
- 31 - 40
- 41 - 51
Are you thinking of becoming a software leader and really want to work at Synechron? Turns out, your chances to become a software leader are better in some states than others.Our research shows that Washington is the best state in the country for software leaders.
Washington is the best state for jobs for software leaders, and Iowa is the worst. The most common pay in Washington is $160,088, while the median pay in Iowa is $90,603.We found that Washington is the best state for software leader jobs, whereas Iowa is the worst.
10 best states for software leaders in 2026
1. Washington
Total software leader jobs: 5,391 Average annual salary: $160,088 Lowest 10 percent earn: $116,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $220,000 Location Quotient: 2.35
2. Oregon
Total software leader jobs: 2,395 Average annual salary: $145,009 Lowest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $201,000 Location Quotient: 1.84
3. California
Total software leader jobs: 13,342 Average annual salary: $160,383 Lowest 10 percent earn: $116,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $220,000 Location Quotient: 1.45
4. Montana
Total software leader jobs: 549 Average annual salary: $127,061 Lowest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $172,000 Location Quotient: 1.52
5. Massachusetts
Total software leader jobs: 4,722 Average annual salary: $130,146 Lowest 10 percent earn: $101,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location Quotient: 1.64
6. Nevada
Total software leader jobs: 504 Average annual salary: $145,852 Lowest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location Quotient: 0.77
7. Idaho
Total software leader jobs: 511 Average annual salary: $128,196 Lowest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $178,000 Location Quotient: 0.99
8. Delaware
Total software leader jobs: 488 Average annual salary: $123,104 Lowest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $160,000 Location Quotient: 1.24
9. Maryland
Total software leader jobs: 2,517 Average annual salary: $129,033 Lowest 10 percent earn: $99,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $167,000 Location Quotient: 1.26
10. Utah
Total software leader jobs: 1,779 Average annual salary: $116,824 Lowest 10 percent earn: $84,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $161,000 Location Quotient: 1.78
Software leader jobsNear Columbus, OH
How Zippia determines the best states to be a software leader
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed list of the best states for a software leader
| Rank | State | Average salary | Lowest 10% earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $160,088 | $116,000 | 7,405,743 | 5,391 |
| 2 | Oregon | $145,009 | $104,000 | 4,142,776 | 2,395 |
| 3 | California | $160,383 | $116,000 | 39,536,653 | 13,342 |
| 4 | Montana | $127,061 | $93,000 | 1,050,493 | 549 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $130,146 | $101,000 | 6,859,819 | 4,722 |
| 6 | Nevada | $145,852 | $104,000 | 2,998,039 | 504 |
| 7 | Idaho | $128,196 | $92,000 | 1,716,943 | 511 |
| 8 | Delaware | $123,104 | $94,000 | 961,939 | 488 |
| 9 | Maryland | $129,033 | $99,000 | 6,052,177 | 2,517 |
| 10 | Utah | $116,824 | $84,000 | 3,101,833 | 1,779 |
| 11 | Arizona | $125,986 | $91,000 | 7,016,270 | 1,559 |
| 12 | Alaska | $120,983 | $94,000 | 739,795 | 284 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $117,831 | $92,000 | 1,342,795 | 534 |
| 14 | Maine | $117,686 | $92,000 | 1,335,907 | 310 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $115,234 | $88,000 | 12,805,537 | 3,042 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $111,332 | $86,000 | 1,059,639 | 714 |
| 17 | Arkansas | $114,958 | $88,000 | 3,004,279 | 602 |
| 18 | New York | $120,050 | $92,000 | 19,849,399 | 4,066 |
| 19 | Michigan | $115,302 | $89,000 | 9,962,311 | 1,686 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $109,919 | $80,000 | 2,088,070 | 734 |
| 21 | Vermont | $111,079 | $87,000 | 623,657 | 340 |
| 22 | Georgia | $113,913 | $88,000 | 10,429,379 | 2,543 |
| 23 | New Jersey | $114,405 | $88,000 | 9,005,644 | 2,816 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $107,725 | $80,000 | 579,315 | 193 |
| 25 | Texas | $109,253 | $82,000 | 28,304,596 | 6,000 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $111,485 | $86,000 | 5,795,483 | 1,083 |
| 27 | Virginia | $109,326 | $84,000 | 8,470,020 | 3,849 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $110,886 | $85,000 | 4,454,189 | 614 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $120,677 | $91,000 | 1,427,538 | 181 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $108,649 | $84,000 | 1,815,857 | 221 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $101,826 | $79,000 | 755,393 | 356 |
| 32 | Illinois | $107,726 | $83,000 | 12,802,023 | 3,330 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $104,414 | $80,000 | 693,972 | 878 |
| 34 | Indiana | $104,381 | $80,000 | 6,666,818 | 1,391 |
| 35 | Colorado | $104,977 | $78,000 | 5,607,154 | 1,931 |
| 36 | Ohio | $102,397 | $79,000 | 11,658,609 | 2,088 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $101,117 | $78,000 | 10,273,419 | 2,751 |
| 38 | Connecticut | $105,359 | $81,000 | 3,588,184 | 908 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $98,907 | $75,000 | 1,920,076 | 789 |
| 40 | Kansas | $100,384 | $76,000 | 2,913,123 | 709 |
| 41 | Alabama | $101,038 | $77,000 | 4,874,747 | 920 |
| 42 | Minnesota | $100,656 | $78,000 | 5,576,606 | 1,852 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $92,386 | $70,000 | 869,666 | 363 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $100,779 | $77,000 | 3,930,864 | 382 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $100,427 | $77,000 | 5,024,369 | 577 |
| 46 | Missouri | $99,930 | $76,000 | 6,113,532 | 1,112 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $98,369 | $75,000 | 4,684,333 | 453 |
| 48 | Florida | $96,392 | $72,000 | 20,984,400 | 3,368 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $96,159 | $73,000 | 2,984,100 | 246 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $91,320 | $70,000 | 6,715,984 | 936 |
| 51 | Iowa | $90,603 | $70,000 | 3,145,711 | 717 |
Highest paying states for software leaders
| Rank | State | Avg. Software Leader Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $160,088 |
| 2 | Oregon | $145,009 |
| 3 | California | $160,383 |
| 4 | Montana | $127,061 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $130,146 |
| 6 | Nevada | $145,852 |
| 7 | Idaho | $128,196 |
| 8 | Delaware | $123,104 |
| 9 | Maryland | $129,033 |
| 10 | Utah | $116,824 |
| 11 | Arizona | $125,986 |
| 12 | Alaska | $120,983 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $117,831 |
| 14 | Maine | $117,686 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $115,234 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $111,332 |
| 17 | Arkansas | $114,958 |
| 18 | New York | $120,050 |
| 19 | Michigan | $115,302 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $109,919 |
| 21 | Vermont | $111,079 |
| 22 | Georgia | $113,913 |
| 23 | New Jersey | $114,405 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $107,725 |
| 25 | Texas | $109,253 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $111,485 |
| 27 | Virginia | $109,326 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $110,886 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $120,677 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $108,649 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $101,826 |
| 32 | Illinois | $107,726 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $104,414 |
| 34 | Indiana | $104,381 |
| 35 | Colorado | $104,977 |
| 36 | Ohio | $102,397 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $101,117 |
| 38 | Connecticut | $105,359 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $98,907 |
| 40 | Kansas | $100,384 |
| 41 | Alabama | $101,038 |
| 42 | Minnesota | $100,656 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $92,386 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $100,779 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $100,427 |
| 46 | Missouri | $99,930 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $98,369 |
| 48 | Florida | $96,392 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $96,159 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $91,320 |
| 51 | Iowa | $90,603 |
Expert opinions on the best states for software leaders
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for software leaders to find work opportunities?
Dr. Ted Junseok Song
Associate Professor of Engineering, John Brown University
Due to COVID-19, people have more choices on location as more companies allow their employees to work remotely.
Software leader best states FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025