Coding Salary Estimator
Your Estimated Salary
How much money do you get for coding? It’s not a trick question - it’s the one thing everyone asks before they sign up for a coding class. You’ve watched videos of 22-year-olds quitting their jobs to build apps and buying Lambos. You’ve seen the headlines: coding pays six figures. But is that real? Or is it just the hype?
The truth? Coding pays well - but not for everyone, and not right away. What you earn depends on where you live, what you build, who you work for, and how deep your skills go. There’s no single number. But there are real patterns. Let’s break them down.
Entry-Level Coding Jobs: What You Can Expect
If you’ve just finished a coding bootcamp or an online course, your first job will likely pay between $55,000 and $75,000 a year in the U.S. That’s the range for junior developers in cities like Austin, Denver, or Atlanta. In New York or San Francisco? You’re looking at $70,000 to $90,000. But don’t assume the big cities mean double the money. The cost of living eats most of that difference.
Outside the U.S., the numbers shift hard. In India, entry-level coders make ₹4-6 lakhs per year (about $5,000-$7,500). In Germany, it’s €45,000-€55,000. In Canada, $60,000-$75,000 CAD. Location matters more than the language you code in.
Companies that hire bootcamp grads - startups, agencies, small tech firms - pay less than FAANG. But they give you real work fast. You’ll be writing actual code on day one, not just doing tutorials. That’s how you learn faster and move up quicker.
Mid-Level Developers: The Real Pay Jump
After two to four years, you stop being junior. You start owning features. You debug production issues alone. You mentor new hires. That’s when the pay climbs. In the U.S., mid-level developers average $95,000-$125,000. In tech hubs, it’s often $130,000+.
What makes the difference? Specialization. If you’re just learning JavaScript and HTML, you’ll stay in the lower half. But if you learn how to build scalable backend systems with Node.js and PostgreSQL, or master cloud tools like AWS or Azure, your salary jumps. Same with mobile - iOS and Android devs with 3+ years of experience often make $110,000-$140,000.
One developer in Chicago told me he doubled his salary in 18 months just by learning Kubernetes and Docker. He didn’t switch jobs. He just started doing the work no one else wanted to touch. That’s the secret: solve hard problems, and you get paid for it.
Senior Roles and Specialized Paths
Senior developers? In the U.S., $140,000-$180,000 is standard. At big tech companies, with stock options and bonuses, total compensation can hit $250,000. But here’s the catch: senior isn’t just about time. It’s about impact.
Some developers stay at mid-level for years because they avoid leadership. Others become architects, DevOps engineers, or AI specialists - and get paid way more. An AI engineer with PyTorch and TensorFlow skills makes $160,000-$220,000 in the U.S. A cybersecurity engineer? $130,000-$190,000. A data engineer? $150,000-$200,000.
These aren’t magic skills. They’re just deeper. You don’t just write code. You design systems. You predict failures. You optimize for speed, security, or scale. That’s what companies pay for.
Freelancing and Remote Work: Can You Make More?
Freelancing sounds like freedom - and it can be. But it’s not a get-rich-quick path. Most freelance coders charge $30-$100/hour, depending on skill and niche. A solid full-stack freelancer in the U.S. might make $80,000-$120,000 a year if they keep clients steady. But there’s no safety net. No health insurance. No paid time off.
Remote jobs for U.S. companies from places like the Philippines or Ukraine? You’ll earn less than local rates - but more than your local economy. A developer in Manila working remotely for a U.S. startup might make $40,000-$60,000. That’s life-changing there. But it’s below U.S. average.
One rule: if you’re freelancing, don’t compete on price. Compete on results. Build a portfolio that shows you solved real problems. Clients pay for outcomes, not hours.
What Skills Pay the Most in 2025?
Not all coding skills are equal. Some are in high demand. Others are fading. Here’s what’s hot right now:
- AI and Machine Learning - Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, LLMs
- Cloud Engineering - AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Terraform
- DevOps & Site Reliability - Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines
- Security Engineering - Pen testing, zero-trust architecture, SOC tools
- Data Engineering - SQL, Spark, Airflow, data pipelines
- Mobile Development - Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android)
Web development (HTML, CSS, React) still has jobs - but it’s saturated. You need to go deeper. Learn how the backend works. Understand databases. Know how to deploy. Otherwise, you’re just another front-end coder in a sea of thousands.
How Fast Can You Start Earning?
You don’t need a computer science degree. You don’t need five years. But you do need consistent practice. Here’s a realistic timeline:
- Month 1-3: Learn basics (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). Build a simple website.
- Month 4-6: Learn a backend language (Python or Node.js). Connect it to a database.
- Month 7-9: Build a full project - like a to-do app with user login and data storage.
- Month 10-12: Start applying for internships or junior roles. Do freelance gigs on Upwork.
Some people land their first job in 8 months. Others take 18. It depends on how much time you put in. Two hours a day, five days a week? You’ll be job-ready in a year. One hour a day? It’ll take twice as long.
And don’t wait until you’re “ready.” Start applying before you feel prepared. The interview process teaches you more than any course.
The Hidden Costs of Learning to Code
Most people focus on time. But money matters too. A coding bootcamp can cost $10,000-$20,000. Some offer income share agreements - you pay nothing until you get a job. That’s smart. But be careful of programs that promise “guaranteed jobs.” They rarely deliver.
Free resources exist. FreeCodeCamp, The Odin Project, and CS50 from Harvard are all high-quality and 100% free. You can learn everything you need without spending a dime. The only cost? Your time and discipline.
One person I know learned to code using YouTube and free tools. He built a small SaaS app in six months. He sold it for $15,000. Now he’s building his second. He never paid for a course.
Is Coding Worth It?
If you’re asking this question, you’re probably not ready to code. Not because you’re not smart enough - but because you’re looking for a shortcut. Coding isn’t a lottery ticket. It’s a trade. Like plumbing or electrician work - but with computers.
You’ll spend hours debugging one line of code. You’ll get stuck for days. You’ll feel like an imposter. That’s normal. The people who make six figures? They kept going through that.
But if you like solving puzzles, if you enjoy building things from nothing, if you don’t mind being wrong and fixing it - then yes. Coding pays. And it pays well.
Start small. Build something. Show it to someone. Get feedback. Keep going. The money comes later. The skill comes first.
Do I need a degree to make good money coding?
No. Most entry-level coding jobs don’t require a degree. Companies care more about what you can build than what’s on your diploma. Bootcamps, online courses, and personal projects are enough to land your first job. But if you want to move into senior roles at big tech firms, a degree can help with internal promotions and certain corporate filters - but it’s not required.
Can I code part-time and still make good money?
Yes, but not right away. Part-time learners usually take longer to reach earning potential. If you’re working 10-15 hours a week on coding, you might land freelance gigs or side projects within a year. But to hit $70,000+ annually, you’ll need to treat it like a full-time job for at least 6-12 months. The more hours you put in upfront, the faster you earn.
What’s the lowest-paying coding job?
The lowest-paying coding roles are usually entry-level positions in non-tech industries - like small local businesses or nonprofits that need someone to fix their website. These jobs might pay $40,000-$50,000 in the U.S. and often involve outdated tech stacks. They’re not bad - they’re just not growth paths. If you stay in them too long without upskilling, you’ll hit a ceiling.
Is coding a good career for older adults?
Absolutely. Many people switch to coding in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Companies need experienced problem-solvers, not just young coders. Your life experience helps you understand user needs, communicate with teams, and manage projects. The tech industry is starting to value that. The biggest barrier isn’t age - it’s fear of starting over.
How long until I can make $100,000 coding?
If you’re focused and consistent, you can reach $100,000 in 3-4 years. That means landing your first job, then learning high-demand skills like cloud tools, databases, or APIs. Most people hit that mark not by changing jobs every year, but by growing inside their role. The fastest earners are the ones who keep learning after they get hired.
Do coders get paid more than other tech jobs?
Compared to IT support, network administration, or help desk roles - yes. But compared to data scientists, AI engineers, or cybersecurity specialists, coders often earn less. The highest-paying tech jobs aren’t always about writing code. They’re about solving complex systems problems. If you want top pay, aim for roles that combine coding with architecture, security, or data.
Start today. Build something small. Keep going. The money follows the skill - not the other way around.