Hire Software Developer in India
Software developers design, build, and maintain software applications. They write code, debug programs, and collaborate with teams to deliver technical solutions. Find out how much it costs to hire a software developer in India and how much you can save compared to US hiring.
Median Salary
$18,000
Total Cost
$21,195
Savings vs US
85%
Annual Savings
$121,805
Annual Cost Comparison
Mid-level software developer · Full-time · Including employer costs
YOUR SAVINGS
$121,805/year
85% less than hiring in the US
Hiring a mid-level software developer in India costs $21,195 per year including employer contributions, compared to $143,000 for the same role in the United States. That's an annual savings of $121,805 (85%) per hire. Over a 3-year engagement, this adds up to $365,415 in total cost reduction for a single position.
Timezone Overlap
US Eastern Time vs India (UTC+5:30)
US (ET)
India
0h
Daily Overlap
Async
Use async workflows
India operates at UTC+5:30, which is 10.5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. There is no overlap with US business hours, making this timezone ideal for follow-the-sun development where work continues 24 hours. Define clear handoff procedures and use async communication. Tasks handed off at end-of-day US arrive completed by morning.
Software Developer Salary Ranges in India
Annual salary range by experience level
Software Developer salaries in India range from $6,000 (entry-level) to $50,000 (senior), with mid-level professionals earning a median of $18,000 per year. Savings compared to US salaries are consistent across experience levels: 88% at junior level and 77% at senior level. The relatively narrow salary range indicates predictable hiring costs with less negotiation variance.
Software Developer Salaries in India (2026)
| Experience Level | Salary Range | Median | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|
Junior 0-2 years | $6,000 - $12,000 | $9,000 | Save 88% |
Mid-Level 2-5 years | $12,000 - $25,000 | $18,000 | Save 84% |
Senior 5+ years | $25,000 - $50,000 | $35,000 | Save 77% |
Ready to hire a Software Developer in India?
Hire through Deel*Salary data based on industry surveys and job market analysis. Last updated January 2026. Actual salaries vary by specific skills, company size, and location within India.
Calculate Your Hiring Costs
Cost in India
$21,195/year
Range: $14,130 - $29,438
US Equivalent Cost
$143,000/year
Range: $117,000 - $169,000
Your Savings
85%
$121,805/year saved
Exceptional savings
Cost Breakdown
Save 85% hiring Software Developers in India
Deel handles payroll, compliance, and benefits. No local entity needed.
Key Skills for Software Developers
Why Hire Software Developers in India?
India produces over 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, with IITs and NITs offering world-class computer science education. Many developers have experience with US tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon who have major operations here.
Cost Advantage
Save 85% compared to US hiring. A mid-level software developer costs ~$21,195/year total (including 17.75% employer burden), compared to ~$143,000/year in the US. That's $121,805 saved annually per hire.
Talent Quality
India has a mature tech ecosystem with established universities and training programs. You'll find software developers with experience at both local companies and international firms. Competition for top talent exists, so move quickly on strong candidates.
Communication
English proficiency in India is rated high. Most software developers communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal. You can expect smooth collaboration on complex topics without language barriers.
Timezone & Collaboration
India operates in UTC+5:30. The timezone difference can be leveraged for follow-the-sun workflows, where work continues while US teams sleep. For software developers, define clear handoff procedures and use async tools like Loom and documented processes.
Compare Software Developer Costs in Other Countries
Explore software developer salaries across all 9 other countries in our database, sorted by cost from lowest to highest.
Vietnam
asia$18,000
Save 85% vs US
UTC+7Philippines
asia$22,000
Save 82% vs US
UTC+8Colombia
latam$26,000
Save 76% vs US
UTC-5Argentina
latam$28,000
Save 74% vs US
UTC-3Ukraine
europe$32,000
Save 72% vs US
UTC+2Brazil
latam$32,000
Save 69% vs US
UTC-3Mexico
latam$35,000
Save 70% vs US
UTC-6Portugal
europe$45,000
Save 60% vs US
UTC+0Poland
europe$48,000
Save 60% vs US
UTC+1Related Outsourcing Guides
Learn more about outsourcing strategies that work well for software developers.
FAQs: Hiring Software Developers in India
A Software Developer in India costs between $6,000 (junior) and $50,000 (senior) annually in base salary. The median mid-level salary is $18,000. Adding 17.75% employer costs, total compensation for a mid-level hire is approximately $21,195/year. Compare this to the US median of $110,000—you're saving roughly $92,000 per year (84%).
Salary data compiled from industry surveys, job boards, and employment reports. Employer costs based on official government rates. Last updated January 2026.
Save 85% hiring Software Developers in India
Deel handles payroll, compliance, and benefits. No local entity needed.