Python Developer Pay by Experience, Location & Specialty
By
Liz Fujiwara
•
Nov 26, 2025
The salary for Python developer positions varies widely based on experience, location, and specialized skills. On average, Python developers in the United States earn around $112,382 per year. This article will detail how factors such as experience levels, geographic regions, industry demands, and additional forms of compensation influence these earnings. We’ll also look at how roles differ across junior, mid-level, and senior positions, how remote work impacts salary ranges, and what employers typically offer in terms of bonuses or benefits. By understanding these factors, you’ll get a clearer picture of what to expect when evaluating the salary for Python developer roles in today’s market.
Key Takeaways
The average salary for Python developers in the U.S. is around $112,382, with variations based on experience, location, and industry.
Location plays a crucial role in salary potential, with cities like Los Angeles and New York offering higher average salaries for Python developers.
Bonuses and additional compensation can increase overall earnings, with performance-based and goal-based bonuses contributing to salary growth for Python developers.
Average Python Developer Salary in the United States
In the United States, Python developers enjoy competitive salaries due to the high demand for their skills across various sectors. The average salary is around $112,382, with most earning between $81,098 and $124,200 annually, illustrating the range of opportunities based on experience and industry.
Total compensation, including bonuses and additional perks, typically reaches about $127,649 for Python developers. Most frequently, salaries fall between $100,000 and $110,000, showing the strong median salary in this career, with the average total compensation aligning with these figures.
Python Developer Salary by Experience Level
Examining Python developer salaries by experience level helps with career planning and salary negotiation. Entry-level, mid-level, and senior developers each face different compensation landscapes based on their expertise and contributions.
Entry-Level Python Developer Salary
Entry-level Python developers, often fresh graduates or career switchers, can expect to earn around $78,828 on average. These competitive starting salaries reflect companies’ desire to attract new talent eager to make an impact.
Mid-Level Python Developer Salary
Mid-level Python developers, usually with 1 to 3 years of experience, see their earnings rise to around $90,060 on average, reflecting their growing skills and ability to handle more complex tasks.
Senior Python Developer Salary
Senior Python developers, with over 7 years of experience, earn higher salaries, averaging around $150,000 annually. Even those with 10 to 14 years of experience earn about $119,715 per year due to their extensive experience and specialized knowledge.
Senior developers often command higher hourly rates, around $78 per hour, reflecting the value placed on their expertise and leadership in major projects.
Python Developer Salary by Location
Location significantly influences Python developer salaries. Cities with higher living costs typically offer higher wages, making it important for developers to consider location when evaluating job offers.
Highest Paying Cities for Python Developers
In 2025, some cities offer notably high compensation for Python developers. Los Angeles, for example, offers an average salary of $160,000, well above the national average. Chicago and Atlanta also offer competitive salaries, averaging $117,500 and $117,000, respectively.
Conversely, cities like San Diego offer slightly lower salaries, around $105,179, but still provide substantial compensation. These variations highlight the influence of location on earning potential, with developers in higher-paying cities seeing stronger financial rewards.
State-by-State Salary Comparison
Python developer salaries vary significantly across states:
In New York, the average salary is approximately $158,400, reflecting the state’s high cost of living and demand for tech talent.
Washington, D.C., offers an average of $104,299.
Texas developers earn around $96,552 annually.
Florida, with an average salary of around $95,451, further shows the state-by-state variations Python developers must consider.
These differences underscore the impact of location on salary expectations and the importance of geographic considerations in career planning.
Factors Influencing Python Developer Salaries
Several factors, including education, industry, and skills, influence Python developer salaries. Understanding these elements helps developers strategically improve their earning potential over time.
Education and Certifications
Education and certifications significantly impact salary levels for Python developers. For example:
Certifications can increase salaries for about 37 percent of IT professionals.
An associate degree can boost earning potential.
Certifications like the Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP) can also increase earning potential.
Industry
Industries offer varying salary expectations for Python developers. The finance and insurance sector, for example, provides competitive salaries with a median pay of approximately $132,900, highlighting the importance of industry selection in influencing salary outcomes.
Skills and Specializations
Specializing in key technologies and skills can boost a Python developer’s earning potential. Focusing on specific frameworks or technologies enables developers to become experts in software development, often rewarded with higher salaries, which is important for maximizing income in the competitive tech industry.
Top Companies for Python Developers
Top companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are known for offering high salaries to Python developers due to the high demand for these professionals. Firms like Intel, Dropbox, and Salesforce also stand out for their competitive compensation packages.
Other prominent employers like IBM, Facebook, and JP Morgan Chase highlight the diverse opportunities for Python developers, underscoring the significant demand and strong salaries available in the market.
Python Developer Bonuses and Additional Compensation
Bonuses and additional compensation significantly impact the overall earnings of Python developers. These can include performance-based bonuses, company performance bonuses, and goal-based bonuses, each contributing to the total compensation package.
Performance-Based Bonuses
Performance-based bonuses are awarded to Python developers based on individual achievements. These can include stock options and other financial incentives, rewarding exceptional work and contributions.
Company Performance Bonuses
Company performance bonuses are distributed when the organization meets specified financial targets, based on overall profitability, significantly increasing the total compensation for Python developers.
Goal-Based Bonuses
Goal-based bonuses are awarded for achieving specific performance milestones or project goals, designed to play a crucial role in motivating developers and supporting job satisfaction.
Practical Tips for Increasing Your Python Developer Salary
To increase your Python developer salary, focus on achieving individual performance-based and goal-based bonuses. Meeting objectives or milestones can significantly boost how much a Python developer earns while supporting career growth.
Switching projects rather than a programming language can help maintain engagement and foster a career where you can learn new programs, which can ultimately lead to higher salaries as a software engineer.
How Fonzi Uses AI in Hiring
Fonzi uses a multi-agent AI software system to standardize candidate evaluations, improving fairness and consistency in hiring. This technology:
Automates tasks like candidate screening and assessments
Allows recruiters to focus on strategic hiring aspects
Includes human oversight to mitigate biases and ensure alignment with organizational values
Implementing AI in Fonzi’s hiring process reduces the time needed to fill positions, streamlining recruitment cycles for tech companies through digital solutions. The platform also includes fraud detection mechanisms, maintaining recruitment process integrity.
This responsible use of artificial intelligence helps recruiters focus on people, reinforcing a positive, human-centered approach.
Preparing for a Python Developer Interview
Preparing for a Python developer interview involves familiarity with Python frameworks, data structures, and libraries. Candidates should also practice articulating their teamwork and communication experiences, as interviewers often assess soft skills.
Reviewing past projects and being ready to discuss specific challenges and achievements can help candidates demonstrate their technical proficiency in designing data analysis solutions. Preparing for a mix of behavioral and technical questions is also advisable to showcase both technical and interpersonal skills.
Summary
Python developer salaries are influenced by experience, location, and specialization. Understanding these factors can help developers strategically improve their earning potential over time. Additionally, top companies and various forms of bonuses play important roles in overall compensation.
For Python developers seeking to maximize their income, focusing on skill development, industry selection, and strategic career moves can lead to substantial financial rewards. The tech industry offers numerous opportunities, and with the right approach, you can achieve your career and financial goals.
