Average Software Engineer Salary in the UK: How Much Can You Make?

How much money you make as a Software Engineer depends on your location, years of experience, and other factors. But even entry-level Software Engineers can earn a top-paying salary by showing a commitment to developing new skills.

To help, we’ll guide you through Software Engineer salary expectations, job outlook, skills and training. We'll also cover:

According to Indeed, the average Software Engineer salary in the UK is around £50,000. The figure is above the average pay for full-time employees of £34,963(opens new window), according to the most recent annual survey from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Many factors influence a Software Engineer’s salary, including experience level, skills, location and role. And the data reported varies by sources. But here’s what you may earn as a Software Engineer in the UK:

Data sources: Indeed, Talent and Levels.fyi.

Where you live in the UK impacts how much you earn as a Software Engineer. In 2024, London companies pay Software Engineers around £66,000 on average, while Liverpool companies pay around £42,000, according to Glassdoor salary data. The eight highest-paying cities for Software Engineers in the UK are:

Here’s that data broken down by city, updated for 2024.

Software engineering is a broad industry with many well-paying roles to choose from. Here are some common software engineering job titles and what you can earn in each. (Unless otherwise noted, all salary data is from Talent.)

Front-End Developers focus on building the front-end elements of websites or applications that people interact with and see. They learn programming languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

Front End Developers also fix code errors and debug applications. As a Front-End Developer, you must understand user design and experience principles.

Front End Developer salaries in the UK:

Web Developers are similar to Front-End Developers, but they focus solely on websites. As a Web Developer, you’ll either build websites from scratch or manage existing websites. You may also be responsible for improving website loading speed, technical search engine optimisation (SEO), and other performance indicators.

Web Developer salaries in the UK:

Back-End Developers work on the back-end; i.e., all the elements that make an application run but users don’t see. As a Back-End Developer, you’ll likely use programming languages like Python, PHP and Ruby. Back-End Developers also work closely with Front-End and Web Developers to unite server-side (back-end) and front-end efforts.

Back-End Developer salaries in the UK:

Full-Stack Developers work on front and back-end development. They tend to be generalists but have a few years of experience in both areas. Because their skills are so versatile, there’s a high demand for Full-Stack Developers.

Full-Stack Developer salaries in the UK:

Cyber Security Engineers focus on protecting a company’s networks, systems and data. They identify any potential security threats and create solutions to secure them. As a Cyber Security Engineer, you’ll be responsible for data security. Example tasks include installing firewalls, testing systems for vulnerabilities and analysing risk.

Cyber Security Engineer salaries in the UK:

Data Engineers combine data analytics with software engineering. As a Data Engineer, you’re responsible for designing and creating data systems. More specifically, your work will help companies collect, store and understand large amounts of raw data. You’ll also work to make data more accessible to other team members like Data Scientists and Business Analysts who interpret the data you provide.

Data Engineer salaries in the UK:

As a Software Engineer, you can develop software, websites or other applications. Software engineering is a broad discipline and can lead to many different career paths. Here are some of the basic skills and responsibilities to help you understand what you’ll do as a Software Engineer.

Software Engineer responsibilities:

To become a Software Engineer, you should be interested in developing these skills in your career:

Aside from demonstrating relevant skills (or a commitment to learning them), employers may require specific qualifications:

It’s unknown exactly how many Software Engineers currently work in the UK, but the total is likely comparable to other leaders in Europe, such as Germany. The problem for employers? The demand for Software Engineers doesn’t equal the supply. Add to that the fact that nearly 20% of engineers in the UK are likely to retire by 2026(opens new window), and it’s clear that the role is in demand.

A quick search for “Software Engineer” jobs on LinkedIn also highlights the demand, with nearly 18,000 UK job openings on the platform as of April 2024.

Not only are Software Engineers in demand, but there’s also a growing talent gap to fill. That’s why we’re committed to teaching the skills of the future at Multiverse. We want to help you start a meaningful career in tech, learn in-demand skills and improve your earning potential. Here’s what that could look like for you.

You might start as a Junior Software Developer, for example. Then with tailored coaching, progress into Data Engineering—which isn’t typically an entry-level role. Our programme also covers full stack development and adapts to mobile and cybersecurity specialisms depending on your interests and position.

If you want to become a master Software Engineer, create a Multiverse profile of your skills(opens new window). Our team can then double-check your eligibility and discuss apprenticeship options.

Software Engineers in the UK are in demand and get paid well. You also don’t need a degree to become a Software Engineer. Here’s how to start this fulfilling career path without going to university.

If becoming a Software Engineer interests you, but you’re not ready to enter the workforce, consider getting your A Levels. A Level qualifications in Computing and IT are the most important for this career path. Studying other technical subjects like design technology and physics is also valuable.

Relevant A Level qualifications demonstrate an interest in software engineering. When you’re ready to start a meaningful career in the field, use them to land a tech apprenticeship.

Whether you’re interested in front-end, back-end or another area, you must understand and write code. Most Software Engineers learn two or three programming languages to start. Then, they learn more as their career progresses.

When it comes to front-end and web development, consider languages like CSS, HTML and JavaScript. As a Back End Developer, Python, PHP, JavaScript and Ruby will help. But, understanding languages like CSS and HTML can also help you collaborate with other types of developers.

The best way to learn is to practise with real coding projects. You can join coding challenges or offer your services at a discounted rate, so you can add them to your portfolio.

A Computer Science degree isn’t necessary, or even the best route, to becoming a Software Engineer. Sometimes portions of your skills are outdated by the time you’ve graduated, lowering your earning potential. It can also take a long time to find a job in the field.

If you’re a school or college leaver who wants to begin your career sooner, consider a software engineering apprenticeship.

An apprenticeship is a viable alternative to university and it can save you £9,250 per year(opens new window) on tuition fees alone.

Plus, you don’t always need A Levels or qualifications above Level 2 to qualify for a Software Engineering apprenticeship. At Multiverse, for example, you’ll need at least a grade of 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English.

Multiverse’s tuition-free apprenticeships empower you to work towards or discover your specialism and increase your earning potential. If a Software Engineering apprenticeship sounds like the right choice for you, apply for an apprenticeship today.(opens new window)