Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Site Reliability Engineer vs Software Engineer salary

In United States, a site reliability engineer earns about 28% more than a software engineer — $174,000 vs $136,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

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Technology
Site Reliability Engineer
$174,000/yr
Monthly
$14,500
Hourly
$84
Range
$108,200–$254,400
10-yr outlook
+22%
Technology
Software Engineer
$136,000/yr
Monthly
$11,300
Hourly
$65
Range
$87,000–$195,800
10-yr outlook
+17%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileSite Reliability EngineerSoftware Engineer
Entry (10th)$108,200$87,000
25th$141,100$111,500
Median$174,000$136,000
75th$214,200$165,900
Senior (90th)$254,400$195,800

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

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Frequently asked questions

Does a site reliability engineer or software engineer earn more in United States?
A site reliability engineer earns more, at about $174,000 per year vs $136,000 for a software engineer — roughly 28% ($38,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A site reliability engineer typically earns $108,200–$254,400, while a software engineer earns $87,000–$195,800 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a site reliability engineer averages about $14,500 and a software engineer about $11,300.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a site reliability engineer earns about $108,200 while a software engineer earns about $87,000 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a site reliability engineer earns about $254,400 while a software engineer earns about $195,800 per year.
Are site reliability engineer and software engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.