In Eastern Europe, software engineers salary ranges from $32,000 to $64,000 per year on average, varying by experience level and location. This guide outlines compensation trends in 18 countries across the region for developers and hiring managers. 👇
Software engineer salary in Poland
Average: $48,000–$86,000 annually
Low–high end: Poland software engineer salary is among the highest in Eastern Europe, from $19,000 at the entry level to $100,000 for senior positions.
Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław, as Poland’s primary tech hubs, offer salaries nearly 15% higher than those in smaller cities.
Remote engineers earn about $71,000 per year on average.
Ukraine software engineer salary
Average: $34,000–$66,000 annually
Low–high end: Software engineer salary in Ukraine varies from $8,000 for entry-level positions to $77,000 for senior roles.
Ukrainian remote engineers earn an average of $59,000.
What is a software engineer salary in Czech Republic?
Average: $43,000–$83,000 annually
Low–high end: A Czech software engineer salary starts from $28,000 at the entry level, while seniors can reach up to $99,000.
Software engineer salary in Romania
Average: $28,000–$63,000 annually
Low–high end: Entry-level software engineer salary in Romania opens at $16,000 and climbs to as high as $76,000 for senior professionals.
Remote Romanian engineers make an average of $67,000 per year.
What is a software engineer salary in Bulgaria?
Average: $33,000–$66,000 annually
Low–high end: Software engineer salary in Bulgaria begins at an entry-level $14,000 per year and extends to $75,000 for senior positions.
Remote Bulgarian engineers earn about $62,000 on average.
Hungary software engineer salary
Average: $30,000–$59,000 annually
Low–high end: Software engineer salary in Hungary is at the low entry level of $21,000, and $73,000 at the high senior tier.
Professionals working remotely earn an estimated average salary of $59,000.
Slovakia software engineer salary
Average: $30,000–$70,000 annually
Low–high end: In Slovakia, a salary for a software engineer ranges from $15,000 at entry to $74,000 at the senior level.
Software engineer salary in Estonia
Average: $49,000–$84,000 annually
Low–high end: The yearly software engineer salary in Estonia varies from $23,000 at the early-career stage to $95,000 for senior roles.
Latvia software engineer salary
Average: $44,000–$67,000 annually
Low–high end: Software engineer salary in Latvia fluctuates from $19,000 for entry positions to $78,612 at advanced seniority.
Lithuania software engineer salary
Average: $52,000–$74,000 annually
Low–high end: The 2025 software engineer salary in Lithuania falls between $15,000 for beginners and $88,000 for the most experienced professionals.
Moldova software engineer salary
Average: $22,000–$43,000 annually
Low–high end: Moldova software engineer salary spans from $22,000 for entry-level positions to roughly $49,000 for senior roles.
Croatia software engineer salary
Average: $27,000–$57,000 annually
Low–high end: A software engineer salary in Croatia lies between $15,000 for newcomers and $63,000 for seasoned developers.
Remote engineers earn about $75,000 on average.
Serbia software engineer salary
Average: $41,000–$75,000 annually
Low–high end: Current software engineer salary in Serbia extends from $17,000 for early-career roles to $86,000 for senior positions.
Slovenia software engineer salary
Average: $39,000–$70,000 annually
Low–high end: Software engineer salary in Slovenia starts at $26,000 for entry-level positions and goes up to $70,000 for senior roles.
Albania software engineer salary
Average: $23,000–$39,000 annually
Low–high end: Software engineer salary in Albania ranges from $7,000 at the start of a career up to $57,000 at senior levels.
Salary for a software engineer in Montenegro
Average: $35,000–$47,000 annually
Low–high end: A software engineer salary in Montenegro stretches from $17,000 entry-level pay up to $61,000 for senior professionals.
Software engineers salary in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Average: $24,000–$51,000 annually
Low–high end: Salary for software engineer in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be as low as $10,000 for starter roles and reach up to $60,000 at an advanced career stage.
Salary for software engineer in North Macedonia
Average: $21,000–$33,000 annually
Low–high end: For example, a software engineers salary in Skopje, North Macedonia, varies from $6,000 at the entry level to $42,000 for senior jobs.
2025 trends for software engineering salary in Eastern Europe
The Eastern European tech market is growing fast. It’s becoming increasingly aligned with global standards every year. Salary for software engineering keeps going up as companies compete for skilled developers. Western firms also play a big role, as they raise pay expectations and introduce an international work culture.
Other trend-setters include the remote work premium, high-demand skills, and individual salary factors. 👇
Remote work premium
Software engineers working from home for international employers typically earn more than those in local roles. This makes remote opportunities one of the main drivers behind higher expectations for software engineer’s salary.
High-demand skills
Professionals with expertise in areas such as AI, ML, and cloud technologies earn much higher pay than general software engineers. These skills are among the most in demand in today’s market.
Full-stack engineers are also sought by companies. Employers value this role at all experience levels, which gives it stability and versatility in the region.
Individual salary factors
A person’s earning potential depends on several measurable factors, like experience level, company type, and English proficiency.
Experience level
Impact on salary: Senior developers typically earn 4x to 9x the entry-level salary of software engineer, depending on the country.
Explained: You may notice this when you compare the highest-paid senior specialists with the lowest entry-level roles. This shows that seniority produces the largest pay increases.
Company type
Impact on salary: Product companies (especially those with international funding) generally pay 20–30% more than traditional outsourcing or service-based firms.
Explained: They prioritize top talent and retain them with superior compensation and benefits.
English proficiency
Impact on salary: A high level (B2+) is essential to access the most lucrative international remote roles and can increase earning potential by 15–25%.
Explained: Fluent English allows direct communication with international clients and teams, which creates higher-paying opportunities.
Conclusion
Software engineer salary across Eastern Europe varies significantly by country, experience, and specialization.
| Tier | Countries | Avg. annual salary of a software engineer | Notes |
| Premium markets | Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia | $44,000–$84,000 | Top software engineers’ salaries in the region. Senior roles can reach $95,000–$100,000. Tech hubs like Warsaw, Tallinn, Vilnius, and Riga pay above national averages. |
| Mid-tier markets | Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine | $30,000–$75,000 | Balanced costs and experienced talent. Senior salaries are competitive but lower than the premium tier. Remote roles increase pay. |
| Most cost-effective markets | North Macedonia, Albania, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia | $21,000–$61,000 | Entry-level salaries are low. Senior salaries remain below regional averages. May require incentives to attract senior talent. |
Key takeaway: The region provides exceptional value with strong professionals, and software engineering salary typically sits 40–60% below Western Europe.
At DNA325, we connect US and EU businesses with top-tier talent from across Europe, including its Eastern region. If you’re looking to make a hire or want clarity on the local market, feel free to reach out for professional support backed by 9+ years of experience.
Frequently asked questions about the salary of software engineers
The annual average salary of software engineers varies widely, from about $21,000 to $86,000, depending on the country and experience level. Senior roles can make up to $100,000 per year.
The top 3 factors that impact software engineer salaries are experience, remote work, and specialization:
• Senior developers make significantly more than beginners, depending on the country.
• Remote or international roles increase salary for software engineers compared to local positions.
• Expertise in AI, machine learning, or cloud technologies earns more than general full-stack development.
Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia represent the premium markets in Eastern Europe. Senior engineers in these countries earn the highest salaries, with Poland reaching up to $100,000. These markets provide access to top-tier talent but require competitive offers.
Software engineer salaries in Eastern Europe are rising, though the growth remains moderate. Most regional markets expect annual increases of 3–10 % in 2025–2026. Larger increases are possible in high-demand specialties such as AI, ML, or cybersecurity.
Tax rates for software engineers in Eastern Europe are highly variable but often favorable due to special IT benefits. For example, Bulgaria applies a 10 % flat employee tax, and Romania provides an effective rate of around 10 % for IT employees due to exemptions.
The most cost-effective salaries for software engineers in Eastern Europe are in North Macedonia, Albania, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia. Lower-end mid-tier markets like Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine also offer relatively affordable talent.
