An Analysis for Highly Experienced Professionals (22 Years) in the US
For a software engineer with 22 years of experience, a current salary of $120,000 is significantly misaligned with the broader market, which offers substantially higher compensation, especially when considering total packages and senior roles.
$120,000
Annual Base
$182,986
Total Compensation for Software Engineers (US)
This initial comparison highlights a potential gap. The following sections delve deeper into market data for roles and contexts relevant to this level of experience.
Various platforms report on software engineer compensation. For experienced professionals, total compensation, which includes base salary, bonuses, and stock, often significantly exceeds general averages. This chart compares data from key sources.
Note: Figures represent averages or medians for Software Engineers or Senior Software Engineers across the US, showcasing typical total compensation values. The $120k salary is below the 25th percentile according to multiple sources.
With 22 years of experience, roles like Senior, Principal, or Architect are more representative. These titles come with increased responsibility and correspondingly higher compensation, as shown by Built In's average total compensation data.
A clear upward trend in total compensation accompanies advancing seniority and responsibility.
Company size influences salary. Data from SalaryCube (via the report) shows average salaries for general software engineers. For a company with ~150 employees (mid-sized), the average is $131,511—a figure that doesn't account for the premium of 22 years of experience.
Even general averages for mid-sized companies exceed $120k. Highly experienced engineers in such firms would command significantly more.
For senior roles, total compensation (base + stock + bonus) is key. The LinkedIn Sr. SWE (ML) example (20 years exp. via 6figr.com) illustrates how stock and bonus significantly enhance earnings.
Example Total: $333,000
Focusing solely on base salary can significantly undervalue the market potential for experienced engineers.
Comprehensive benefits are standard for senior software engineers, contributing significantly to overall job satisfaction and financial well-being.
Medical, dental, vision, EAP, wellness programs.
401(k) with match, stock options/RSUs, bonuses, life/disability insurance.
Generous PTO, public holidays, parental leave, sick leave.
Tuition reimbursement, certifications, conferences, training.
Paid parental leave, adoption assistance, childcare support.
Remote/hybrid options, home office stipend, commuter benefits.
An engineer with 22 years of diverse project experience brings profound technical depth, mentorship capabilities, and adaptability—assets that are critical for innovation and stability.
Mastery of multiple technologies, SDLC, and complex problem-solving.
Proven ability to handle diverse projects and learn new technologies quickly.
Guides junior engineers, contributes to technical strategy and architectural decisions.
Five years at the company means deep understanding of its systems and processes.