Software Developers Salary
The median pay for a software developers in Georgia is $131,010/year ($62.99/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $176K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.89), which stretches that salary to about $142,573 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,434/month, or 18% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Georgia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $131K get you in Georgia?
About software developers
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What this looks like in Georgia
Software developers pay in Georgia tracks closely to the national median, $131K locally vs. $136K nationwide, a 4% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,434/month, 18.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Georgia
Entry-level software developers (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K. Top earners bring in $176K or more, a $96K spread from bottom to top.
Software Developers salary by metro in Georgia
13 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $133K | +1% | 36,300 |
| Albany | $124K | -5% | 290 |
| Savannah | $123K | -6% | 440 |
| Gainesville | $122K | -7% | 290 |
| Macon-Bibb County | $120K | -8% | 230 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | $120K | -9% | 910 |
| Warner Robins | $119K | -10% | 250 |
| Rome | $118K | -10% | 140 |
| Columbus | $116K | -11% | 1,050 |
| Dalton | $115K | -12% | 280 |
| Athens-Clarke County | $107K | -18% | 150 |
| Valdosta | $106K | -19% | 70 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons | $103K | -21% | 50 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Georgia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a software developer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Georgia?
Yes — at the median salary of $131K, rent takes 18.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,434/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for software developers in Georgia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new software developers typically earn — is $80K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,807/month. At HUD’s $1,434/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is software developer a high-paying job in Georgia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $131K locally vs. $136K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Georgia compare to the national average for software developers?
Georgia pays $131K median vs. the U.S. average of $136K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $143K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do software developers make in Georgia?
The median is $131,010 a year, that works out to about $63 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,110, and experienced software developers can clear $176,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in Georgia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,796/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,434/month, which eats 18.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a software developers salary go in Georgia?
Georgia has a Regional Price Parity of 91.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median software developers salary is worth about $142,573 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do software developers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.