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  1. Home/
  2. Salaries/
  3. Software Developer/
  4. Kansas City

Software Developer.

Kansas City.

$120,000

median salary, 8% below the national average

$93,000 to $156,000. Last updated April 2026.

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Data points to own the conversation.

Here is what Software Developers actually make in Kansas City: $93,000 at the 25th percentile, $120,000 at the median, and $156,000 at the 75th. That is 8% below the national average. Kansas City straddles Missouri and Kansas, creating a unique dual state job market with strong logistics, tech, and agriculture technology sectors. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$93,000

per year

Median

$120,000

per year

75th Percentile

$156,000

per year

Where do you fall?

$93,000$156,000

Salary by experience

The gap between entry and lead level is typically $108,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$78,000

to $96,000

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$102,000

to $126,000

Senior (6-9 yrs)

$132,000

to $156,000

Lead (10+ yrs)

$150,000

to $186,000

Salary trend

+4% YoY
$103,000
2022
$107,000
2023
$111,000
2024
$115,000
2025
$120,000
2026

Total compensation

Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $30,000 to the total package.

Base

$120,000

Equity

$17,000

Bonus

$11,000

Signing

$2,000

Estimated total: $150,000

How Kansas City compares

Kansas City, MO

$120,000

Cost of living: 7% below average

National Average

$130,000

Kansas City is $10,000 below

Software Developer salary by city

Software Developer salary comparison across 10 cities
CityMedianRangeCOLAdjusted
San Francisco, CA$183,000$142,000 – $237,0001.35x$136,000
San Jose, CA$176,000$137,000 – $229,0001.38x$128,000
Honolulu, HI$166,000$129,000 – $215,0001.30x$128,000
New York, NY$165,000$128,000 – $214,0001.28x$129,000
Seattle, WA$164,000$128,000 – $214,0001.24x$132,000
Newark, NJ$160,000$124,000 – $207,0001.18x$136,000
Washington DC, DC$158,000$122,000 – $205,0001.25x$126,000
Boston, MA$157,000$122,000 – $204,0001.22x$129,000
Arlington, VA$157,000$122,000 – $204,0001.22x$129,000
Kansas City, MO$120,000$93,000 – $156,0000.93x$129,000

See all 81 cities for Software Developer →

Salary by role in Kansas City

Salary comparison by role in Kansas City
RoleMedianRange
Principal AI Research Scientist$339,000$264,000 – $440,000
Principal Quantitative Researcher$319,000$249,000 – $415,000
Technical Fellow$316,000$246,000 – $410,000
Software Developer$120,000$93,000 – $156,000
Data Scientist$120,000$92,000 – $155,000
DevOps Engineer$120,000$91,000 – $155,000
Full Stack Developer$120,000$91,000 – $158,000
AI Market Intelligence Analyst$120,000$89,000 – $160,000

What you should know

Kansas City straddles Missouri and Kansas, creating a unique dual state job market with strong logistics, tech, and agriculture technology sectors. The metro's central location has made it a hub for distribution centers and supply chain companies. Cerner's healthcare IT presence and a growing startup scene have boosted demand for technology professionals. That is the backdrop for every Software Developer offer you will see here.

One thing people overlook: taxes. Missouri's top income tax rate is about 4.8%, and Kansas City adds a 1% earnings tax. Workers living in Kansas face that state's rates instead. Choose your side of the state line carefully. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.

On negotiation: Negotiate which side of the state line you will be based on. Your tax situation differs meaningfully between Missouri and Kansas, and some employers offer flexibility on office location. The range for Software Developers in Kansas City runs from $93,000 to $156,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology

Interactive

Is your offer competitive?

Enter your Software Developer offer to see where you stand in Kansas City.

$

25th

$93,000

Median

$120,000

75th

$156,000

Considering a related role?

  • A AI/ML Data Analyst in Kansas City earns $119,000 (1% less)
  • The highest-paying role in Kansas City is Principal AI Research Scientist at $339,000

Common questions.

In Kansas City, large enterprises typically pay Software Developers 10 to 20% more in base salary than small companies, but startups often compensate with equity that can exceed base salary value. Total compensation at top companies often doubles the base through equity and bonuses. The $93,000 to $156,000 range reflects this entire spectrum.

Lead with data: Software Developers in Kansas City earn $93,000 to $156,000, so anchoring your ask near $156,000 gives room to land at the median. Negotiate which side of the state line you will be based on. Your tax situation differs meaningfully between Missouri and Kansas, and some employers offer flexibility on office location. Never accept the first number without a conversation.

Entry level Software Developer positions in Kansas City typically start near $93,000. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate closer to the median of $120,000.

Missouri's top income tax rate is about 4.8%, and Kansas City adds a 1% earnings tax. Workers living in Kansas face that state's rates instead. Choose your side of the state line carefully. When comparing offers across states, your take home pay matters more than the number on the offer letter. A lower salary in a no income tax state can net more than a higher one elsewhere.

Software Developers in Kansas City earn a median of $120,000, which positions this role solidly in the mid range for professional roles. Related roles may pay 10 to 25% more or less depending on specialization depth. Use Orbyt's Salary Explorer to compare specific roles side by side in Kansas City.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. Total compensation often exceeds base salary by 20 to 40%. In Kansas City's market, these extras can add $30,000 or more on top of the base salary.

Software Developer salary in other cities

Austin$131,000
Atlanta$129,000
Anchorage$145,000
Albuquerque$113,000
Arlington$157,000
Albany$120,000

Other salaries in Kansas City

DevOps Engineer$120,000
DevOps Manager$155,000
Embedded Systems Engineer$123,000
Embedded AI Engineer$150,000

Related

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Cite this data

Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.

"Software Developer Salary in Kansas City, MO." Orbyt Salary Explorer, April 2026. https://www.orbytjobs.ai/salaries/software-developer/kansas-city

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