Software engineering remains one of the most consistently well-compensated professions in Europe. But the variation between cities is enormous — and understanding it matters whether you're negotiating, relocating, or benchmarking.
These are gross annual base salary estimates for mid-level software engineers (4–6 years of experience) in 2026, based on public benchmarks and structured modelling.
London
London is consistently the highest-paying market for software engineers in Europe. Mid-level engineers typically earn between £80,000 and £110,000, with a market median around £95,000. Senior engineers regularly exceed £120,000 in base salary alone, and total compensation at growth-stage companies often reaches considerably higher.
The concentration of US-headquartered tech companies, financial institutions, and well-funded scale-ups drives salaries well above the European average. The trade-off is cost of living — London is significantly more expensive than most other cities on this list.
See the full Software Engineer salary guide for London
Amsterdam
Amsterdam has emerged as one of the strongest markets in continental Europe for software engineers. Mid-level salaries typically fall in the €75,000–€100,000 range. The city hosts the EMEA offices of major US tech companies and a thriving startup ecosystem, particularly in fintech and B2B software.
The Netherlands has a 30% tax ruling that reduces income tax for qualifying international hires — a significant benefit that makes Amsterdam particularly attractive for relocating engineers.
See the full Software Engineer salary guide for Amsterdam
Dublin
Dublin benefits from its position as the European headquarters of Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and many other major tech companies. Mid-level software engineers earn €72,000–€98,000. Senior roles in the larger tech companies can go considerably higher, and total compensation packages often include equity.
Ireland's relatively low corporate tax rate continues to attract international tech investment, which supports salary competition in the engineering market.
See the full Software Engineer salary guide for Dublin
Berlin
Berlin is Europe's startup capital — but that comes with a salary caveat. The city's tech scene leans heavily towards early-stage and growth-stage startups, which often pay below the levels seen in London, Amsterdam, or Dublin. Mid-level software engineers typically earn €65,000–€85,000, with a median around €75,000.
That said, larger companies and scale-ups in Berlin have pushed salaries higher over the past few years. If you're at a well-funded startup or a corporate tech hub, you can earn significantly above these medians. Berlin also has a materially lower cost of living than London, which changes the effective purchasing power calculation.
See the full Software Engineer salary guide for Berlin
Paris
Paris sits between Berlin and Amsterdam in terms of software engineering pay. Mid-level engineers typically earn €70,000–€90,000. France's technology sector has matured significantly, with major players including Criteo, BlaBlaCar, Doctolib, and a growing cohort of funded startups. Salaries have risen meaningfully over the past five years.
French labour law provides strong worker protections but also means base salary is particularly significant — variable and equity compensation is less standard at French companies than at their US counterparts operating in Paris.
See the full Software Engineer salary guide for Paris
How to know if you're underpaid
Market ranges are only useful if you can compare your specific situation against them. Your seniority, specialisation, company type, and years of experience all affect where within a range you should fall.
Use our free salary checker to get a personalised estimate — enter your role, location, and years of experience and see your market percentile in seconds. It's the fastest way to know whether there's a gap worth closing.