IBM salaries by job title (2026)
IBM filed 736 certified H-1B applications for full-time roles in FY2026 Q1–Q3 (decisions Oct 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026). The median base salary is $157,635, and the middle half of offers fall between $133,533 and $195,892.
IBM base salary by job title
| Job title | Median base | Middle 50% | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Developer | $134,193 | $121,867 – $152,131 | 75 |
| Software Developer | $187,922 | $173,540 – $203,882 | 45 |
| Application Architect | $156,998 | $146,966 – $176,156 | 43 |
| Package Consultant | $151,900 | $140,133 – $170,869 | 35 |
| Project Manager | $122,239 | $116,140 – $135,984 | 20 |
| Package Specialist | $152,261 | $136,220 – $156,979 | 17 |
| Product Manager | $181,500 | $134,216 – $202,559 | 17 |
| Research Scientist | $203,910 | $200,038 – $226,270 | 14 |
| Technical Lead | $113,901 | $110,032 – $138,851 | 11 |
| Data Engineer | $145,437 | $137,290 – $160,065 | 10 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $237,911 | $189,600 – $275,985 | 9 |
| Business Analyst | $115,684 | $97,339 – $133,549 | 8 |
| IT Specialist | $128,128 | $116,889 – $161,276 | 8 |
| Managing Consultant | $160,770 | $145,994 – $177,861 | 8 |
| Software Engineer | $180,485 | $134,062 – $201,361 | 8 |
By location
| Worksite | Median base | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | $156,998 | 70 |
| San Jose, CA | $216,320 | 55 |
| Durham, NC | $162,000 | 37 |
| New York, NY | $198,242 | 34 |
| Austin, TX | $172,325 | 33 |
| Yorktown Heights, NY | $231,624 | 30 |
| Brookhaven, GA | $152,131 | 23 |
| Paramus, NJ | $171,974 | 22 |
| Atlanta, GA | $152,131 | 20 |
| Chicago, IL | $145,538 | 18 |
Take-home pay
Most of IBM's filings are for jobs in Texas. There, the median base of $157,635 leaves about $119,010 a year, or $9,917 a month, after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Texas taxes for a single filer with no 401(k) contributions. For Application Developer ($134,193), it is about $102,987 a year. Use the Texas paycheck calculator to add a 401(k), a spouse or children.
Experience levels
Each filing names the prevailing-wage level the job was matched to, from entry level (I) to fully competent (IV).
| Wage level | Share of filings |
|---|---|
| II: Qualified | 29% |
| III: Experienced | 18% |
| IV: Fully competent | 53% |
By occupation
| Occupation | Median base | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $162,053 | 284 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $144,221 | 82 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $120,141 | 79 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $149,734 | 70 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $228,360 | 30 |
| Data Scientists | $168,111 | 25 |
About this data
- Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, LCA disclosure data for FY2026 Q1–Q3 (decisions Oct 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026). Only certified H-1B applications for full-time positions are counted (384,130 filings).
- Each figure is the base wage the employer stated on the application, converted to a yearly amount. Bonuses, stock (RSUs) and benefits are not included, so total pay at large tech firms is usually much higher.
- An application is filed before a worker starts and can cover a range of pay; we use the lower end of that range. Not every application leads to a hire.
- Median: half of filings are above, half below. Middle 50%: the range between the 25th and 75th percentiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary at IBM?
The median base salary in IBM's 736 certified H-1B filings is $157,635 a year, and the middle half fall between $133,533 and $195,892. Bonuses and stock are extra.
How much does a Application Developer at IBM make?
The median base salary for Application Developer is $134,193 across 75 filings (middle 50%: $121,867 – $152,131).
Where does IBM pay the most?
Among locations with at least five filings, Yorktown Heights, NY has the highest median base salary at $231,624.
What is $157,635 after tax in Texas?
About $119,010 a year ($9,917 a month) for a single filer after federal, Social Security, Medicare and Texas taxes.