Read the statistic with its label
The BLS occupational profile reports the following U.S. annual wage medians for May 2025. The figures are in USD and were checked for this article on September 11, 2026.
| Occupation | U.S. median annual wage, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Software developers | $135,980 |
| Software quality assurance analysts and testers | $104,300 |
These are different occupations. The table does not rank individual job offers or imply that every software role pays the developer median. The source’s population and definitions matter more than the apparent precision of the number.
Match the geography and level
A national occupation statistic cannot answer what a specific employer pays a junior engineer in a particular city. Use state or metropolitan data where available, and compare job descriptions rather than assuming “software engineer” maps perfectly to one survey category.
The OEWS technical notes explain the survey framework and wage definitions. Read them before combining the data with employer-reported offers or crowdsourced compensation. Those sources may cover different populations and components.
Separate the parts of an offer
Create separate rows for base salary, a guaranteed payment, a discretionary bonus, equity and benefits. Record vesting, eligibility and any conditions rather than treating every advertised amount as immediately available cash. This is a comparison framework, not tax or investment advice.
For equity, note the instrument, vesting schedule and the uncertainty of its value. For a bonus, distinguish a contractual amount from a target. For remote work, confirm the employment location and whether compensation changes if you move. Obtain appropriate local advice for legal or tax questions.
Use the number as context, not a promise
A published median can help orient a discussion, but it does not establish what you will earn. Experience, scope, employer, geography and the terms of the role all matter. Avoid inferring a career decision from one headline statistic.
The job-market data guide explains projections and openings, while the career-path guide separates level from years alone. For location and collaboration questions, continue with remote software engineering.