Tech · Arlington, TX

Software Engineer Salary in Arlington, TX (2026)

Median Software Engineer salary in Arlington is approximately $117,800/year — 5.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Arlington

$117,800
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$57
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$4,531
Monthly
$9,817
Annual (gross)
$117,800
vs Texas state average
State avg: $120,300
-$2,500
vs US national
National median: $124,000
-$6,200

After-tax estimate

$92,296
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$117,800
Federal tax (~14%)
−$16,492
FICA (7.65%)
−$9,012
Texas state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$92,296
Monthly take-home
$7,691
For exact take-home, use our Arlington Paycheck Calculator.
Software Engineer salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Arlington
Pittsburgh, PA0.95×$117,800+$0
Tallahassee, FL0.95×$117,800+$0
Houston, TX0.96×$119,000+$1,200
Fort Worth, TX0.96×$119,000+$1,200
Milwaukee, WI0.94×$116,600-$1,200

Software Engineer salaries in Arlington, TX

The estimated median Software Engineer salary in Arlington, Texas is $117,800/year, working out to approximately $57/hour at full-time, $4,531 per biweekly paycheck, or $9,817/month before taxes. Arlington's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.95× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Texas state average for this role ($120,300), Arlington pays about $2,500 less. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Arlington

Of the gross $117,800, you take home roughly $92,296 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Texas state income tax (none)
  • Arlington has no local income tax

That works out to about $7,691/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Arlington Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Arlington pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Arlington typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Arlington employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Software Engineer Salary in Texas — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Arlington Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Software Engineer salary in Arlington?
The estimated median Software Engineer salary in Arlington, Texas is $117,800 per year, or approximately $57/hour at standard full-time. Arlington sits 5.0% below the US national average for this role.
Arlington vs Texas state — what's the salary difference?
Arlington: $117,800. Texas state average for Software Engineer: $120,300. Difference: -$2,500 (2.1%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Arlington have a city income tax?
No, Arlington has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Texas state tax apply (Texas has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Arlington's cost of living relative to the US average. Arlington's multiplier is 0.95× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Software Engineer in Arlington?
Estimate: $92,296/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Texas state tax (~0.0% effective), and Arlington local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Arlington Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.