Software developer: Your starting salary

Are you curious about salary levels, typical job responsibilities and your future prospects as a software developer? Then read on.

Table of Contents

How we calculate your salary as a software developer
Software developer salary: The technical details behind IDA’s salary calculator
Typical duties of software developers
Different educational pathways to becoming a software developer
Future prospects and career
Are you considering studying to become a software developer?

IDA's Salary Calculator

How we calculate your salary as a software developer

Before you read the salary figures below, it is important to note that all salary figures in this article are based on an average for employees in the private sector. You should therefore only regard these figures as a guide to what the average software developer can expect to earn.

In addition, it is also important to be aware of other factors that affect your future salary. It is no secret that the private sector often offers higher salaries, but you should also be aware of pension arrangements. Does your salary include a pension or not? If you work in the public sector, you will typically have a collective agreement that offers you a very good pension.

If you have a qualification that qualifies you as a software developer, you can expect an average starting salary of 41,100 kr. nationwide in 2026.

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Software developer salary: The technical side of IDA’s salary calculator

The expected salary in IDA’s salary calculator is based on a specific industry and a specific geographical area, with salaries adjusted accordingly. In addition, we use IDA’s salary statistics, where we collect salary data each year from privately employed members and self-employed professionals. This figure is then projected forward by 2.0% annually, in line with the development of IDA’s recommended starting salary.

Below, we present the development in the average salary from 2025–2027 in the private sector for a software developer. The figures are based on the job title cand.it working within IT and telecommunications.

IDA's salary calculator IDA's salary statistics

Typical tasks for software developers

Most software developers work with a wide range of tasks, which often vary considerably. They may specialise in everything from developing new software applications and maintaining existing solutions to testing software, analysing data, and making updates to IT systems. A significant part of the work typically also involves systems development and ensuring that the functionality of an IT system or new software meets users’ needs and expectations.

As the programme focuses on software systems, both the typical future job tasks and the subjects studied will almost always include programming in various coding languages such as Java. Many software developers are therefore familiar with several different programming languages.

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Different educational paths to becoming a software developer

There are several different educational paths you can take to become a software developer. You can complete a professional bachelor’s degree and go straight into employment. In addition, you can choose to continue your studies by pursuing a Master’s degree or a top-up degree afterwards. Many people choose to further their education after their professional bachelor’s degree to strengthen their skills and open up a wider range of career opportunities in both the private and public sectors.

Whether you want to train as a software developer through a university or a professional academy depends on how specialised you want to become and which skills you want to develop. At university, you will typically encounter a more theoretical and research-oriented approach, for example through programmes in computer science or software engineering. At professional academies, the programmes are more practice-oriented. Here, you will work more hands-on with programming, systems development, and real-life projects. You will also enter a work placement early on, which is a significant and mandatory part of the programme.

If you study to become a software developer, you can of course join IDA as a member free of charge.

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Future opportunities and career prospects

A software developer will typically gain experience with databases, web systems, and computers at a highly technical level after a few years. These skills are used to create stable and efficient solutions in their work, for example when developing programmes.

With a broad range of competences, a software developer can work across many different industries. You can specialise in anything from web development and databases to IT architecture and the development of complex software solutions. You may also work as an IT consultant, systems developer, or IT architect, depending on your skills and interests. All the experience you gain along the way – including supplementary courses, further education, and work experience – will naturally also influence your average monthly salary.

A career as a software developer offers many opportunities to work with new technologies and to develop programmes and projects that have a significant impact on both businesses and society. Whether you are looking for a job in a start-up or an established company, there are strong opportunities to build a solid and specialised profile that is in demand on the labour market. Software development is a rapidly evolving field, and the demand for developers remains high. This creates good career prospects for both graduates and experienced IT professionals.

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Considering studying to become a software developer?

Would you like to work with digital solutions? And can you see yourself in roles such as systems developer, systems architect, IT architect, game developer, programmer, or software coordinator?

Then studying to become a software developer could be a natural choice for you and your future.
If you have – or are considering – a different qualification within the field, you can also move into software development through further training and work experience.

We hope this article has been helpful and that you now feel better informed or more confident in your choice.
Whenever you are studying to become a software developer, you can continue to develop your knowledge of specialisation, advice, salary development, and career opportunities as a student member.

Our advice can help you

Our professional career advice is always ready to help you with any questions relating to your upcoming transition into working life as a graduate.

If you are fortunate enough to have secured a job, it can be a good idea to have your contract reviewed. As your professional association, this is something we can help you with.

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