Software engineer salary: How much you will earn

Are you studying to become a software engineer? As a software engineer, you generally earn well. On this page, we have gathered knowledge about your future salary, giving you a clear picture of your future earning potential.

Table of contents

What does a typical software engineer earn?
How do we calculate your salary as a software engineer?
Difference between a master’s degree and a diploma in engineering
Do you want to work on developing future technologies and software solutions?

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What does a typical software engineer earn?

If you have a bachelor's degree in software development or a diploma in software engineering, the recommended minimum salary is lower than with a long higher education in software. Employers in both the private and public sectors offer higher salaries to master's degree holders. Besides your paid salary, there are other factors to consider, such as whether pension is included in your salary or not.

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With a master's degree and the title of civil engineer, IDA's salary calculator can provide an estimate of what you can expect to earn when you eventually enter the job market. In 2025, you can expect an average starting salary of 49,000 DKK per month nationwide.

How do we calculate your salary as a software engineer?

You are probably asking yourself: what does a software engineer salary look like? It is important to note that all salary rates in this article can vary, and the figures should be seen as a guide to what an average newly graduated software engineer can expect to earn.

The expected salary in IDA's salary calculator is based on a specific industry and a specific geographical area, which the salary is adjusted according to. Additionally, we base it on IDA's salary statistics, which annually collects salary data from privately employed IDA members and self-employed individuals. We project this figure by 2.0% year by year, corresponding to the development in IDA's recommended starting salary.

Below, we present the development of the average salary from 2024-2026 for a civil engineer in software:

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Difference between a master's degree and a diploma in engineering

Do you know that you want to study a degree in software development? You can do this in different ways. You can be a student in software by taking both a bachelor's and a master's degree, but also by taking a diploma in engineering.

If you study a bachelor's and then a master's degree, you become a civil engineer. By choosing this educational path, you get a more research-based study program with the opportunity to specialise through elective courses and projects. Additionally, you get a very strong theoretical foundation, which is more geared towards a career in the research world compared to what a diploma typically offers.

A diploma, which typically lasts 3 1/2 years, is more practice-oriented and business-focused. Here, you quickly gain insight into the job market, as internships are a mandatory part of the education. So, if you want the opportunity to quickly get out and work in various companies and among other software developers, a diploma in engineering might be something for you. However, if you still wish to continue your education after completing your diploma, this education also opens up to the master's degree in software.

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Do you want to work on developing future technologies and software solutions?

When you study to become a software engineer, you learn to develop software from scratch and improve existing software. The education provides you with skills in design, implementation, and testing of software solutions.

If you choose to pursue a master's degree, you have the opportunity to specialise in a topic of your choice, such as artificial intelligence, system development, data analysis, or machine intelligence.

As a software engineer, you can work with a wide range of technologies and applications, including web development, mobile apps, game development, and artificial intelligence. You can find jobs in both private companies and public institutions, where you can contribute to innovative projects and solutions. Your skills will enable you to work on developing new software solutions, improving existing systems, and implementing technological solutions that can enhance and simplify everyday life for users and businesses worldwide.

We hope this article has given you a better understanding of the education and salary of a software engineer.

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