Python Developer Salary Ranges By Country & Experience

As one of the most popular and sought-after programming languages today, Python development talent can be hard to come by. For businesses in need of these skills, this presents a series of tough decisions: should you outsource or hire directly? Many executives find that partnering with a custom software development services company provides immediate access to vetted Python expertise while maintaining flexibility for future scaling. How will the geographic location affect what you’ll need to pay? How can you accurately determine your needs?

For developers interested in building out their own Python skillset, similar questions are present. Here, you need to consider where and how you’d like to work. Will the prospect of a higher salary be enough to relocate? Answering these questions begins with really understanding the python developer salary ranges you can expect in various locations and types of work.

Python Developers – a Profession in Increasing Demand

With so many programming languages out there, what explains the particularly strong demand for Python developers? A major answer lies in AI and Machine Learning (ML). Python is the preferred language for developers using these tools in areas like data science. In a world where data is the “new oil,” the importance of Python for harnessing the power of that data can hardly be understated. Companies are increasingly looking for ways to effectively harness AI and ML to achieve their toughest challenges.

Otherwise, Python’s robust security features, powerful frameworks, efficiency, versatility, and vast libraries all make it a potent tool. With all of these advantages, it’s hardly surprising that Python developers are in high demand for building powerful custom software solutions.

Do python developers make good money?

In short, yes. Looking at data from a variety of sources, Python developer salaries rarely fall below the six figure mark. Senior python developer salaries tend to reach at least $150,000 and often exceed $200,000 depending on average. This puts them an order of magnitude above the average US salary of around $60,000 per year.

This trend carries through to other countries as well. Around the world Python developer salaries average far above typical local rates for other professions. Add to this the fact that Python developer salaries are increasing quickly. Indeed found that entry level python developer salaries increased by nearly 10% in a single year from January 2023 to January 2024. 

Is a python developer a high paying job?

While the previous section may have answered this question for most, there’s another important element to consider: compared to what? Considering how valuable and in-demand Python developers are, it’s hardly surprising they make far above average salaries. But how do they compare to other types of software developers?

Data from Devitjobs shows the average Python developer earning $136,700 compared to $124,400 for the average software engineer. That points to Python developers bringing in an average of 10% more pay compared to software engineers as a broad category. So even within the high paying development sector, Python developer salaries are high.

Python Developers – Outsource or Direct Hire?

For businesses in search of python developers and those investing in such a career alike, this is  a crucial question. With remote working opportunities and providers more common than ever, that side of the equation can offer a lot. But working directly for a company or being the one hiring directly brings a lot of stability.

To help you decide which is best for your needs, let’s explore the pros and cons of each option.

Advantages of Outsourcing

The first and most obvious advantage outsourcing brings for businesses is cost. By sourcing the python development talent you need from countries with lower costs of living, you can significantly reduce costs. But modern outsourcing goes far beyond basic low-cost services.

In fact, for many businesses today, the primary advantage of outsourcing comes with flexibility. Many outsourcing providers enable you to scale your talent usage up or down far faster than is possible through direct hires. So, for example, if your business suddenly uncovers a major opportunity, you can quickly get an experienced team up and running to tackle it.

In other cases, outsourcing may be the only way to get access to the kind of python development talent or experience you need. So if you envision the need to quickly scale your python development work up or down or think you may struggle finding the right talent in your area, this is an excellent option.

For job seekers themselves, python developer salaries will vary widely between various outsourcing companies. But depending on where you’re located, whether you would like to work remotely, and whether you prefer greater variety in the projects you work on, outsourcing companies may be a great option.

Disadvantages of Outsourcing

One thing that can be said of hiring python developers directly is that it’s a clear process. Your HR team is already familiar with all the relevant rules and regulations. Outsourcing presents some challenges, as you’re usually working with vendors based in other countries. As a result, the legal complexities of the relationship can present difficulties. That said, most outsourcing vendors will use their own extensive experience to help guide you through the process.

There’s also the challenge of choice. In today’s global marketplace, the array of possible providers can be intimidating. Selecting the right geographic area, let alone the right provider, is far from straightforward. That said, the salary information presented below will help.

Advantages of Direct Hire

If you’re certain you will need python development work consistently over a long period of time, direct hires may be a better option. Hiring directly enables you to invest more in individuals, shaping their work culture, skills, and experience to better meet your needs. You can ensure they get the training and skill development they need to integrate well with your organization to reach their maximum potential.

Directly hiring Python developers also enables you to decide whether you’d like them to work in person. While there are some outsourcing companies that offer this as a service, it’s less common in that industry. So if in-person work is important, you may want to consider a direct hire.

For job seekers, all of these points are just as valid. By working directly for a company, you will likely have a clearer idea of the type of projects you will be working on. 

Disadvantages of Direct Hire

We mentioned flexibility before and this is where the disadvantages of direct hires really come into play. If you suddenly find you no longer need a full-time Python developer, you may have a difficult time letting them go. Many countries and organizations mandate generous severance packages. 

Likewise, if you suddenly find yourself in need of a Python developer, the hiring process is likely to be lengthy and expensive. While data specifically for Python developers is hard to come by, hiring a software engineer typically takes more than a month. That process in turn costs tens of thousands of dollars when you look at HR costs, placing ads, etc.

By contrast, while there are some costs involved in finding and hiring an outsourcing partner, those are one-time costs. Once you’ve found a partner, they can provide a handful or even hundreds of qualified developers without needing to pay to hire each one individually.

Average python developer salary range in the United Kingdom

With all those more general considerations out of the way, we can look at Python developer salaries in specific locations. We can start with the United Kingdom, where the average Python developer earns about 72,400 GBP per year. The median is only around 65,000 GBP meaning that average is somewhat skewed by high salaries at the top range.

That fact becomes clear when we look at the breakdown by top to bottom 10% of earners. The bottom 10% of Python developer salaries in the UK average at just 35,000 GBP while the top percent comes in at 115,000 GBP. So while some Python developers may not earn great salaries, there’s a lot of potential. The increase is fairly moderate before jumping significantly at the top end, meaning the ceiling for earnings is quite high.

It’s also important to point out that these numbers vary widely depending on where you are within the UK. Even wealthier areas like Oxford have average salaries far below those found in London (46,500 GBP compared to 79,400 GBP). That’s not to mention poorer areas of the country. 

But, it’s worth noting that the averages for remote Python developer salaries are still decent at 64,200 GBP per year. So even if you are based in an area with lower average salaries, you can still earn close to the national average for the field.

Python developer salaries in the UK by years of experience

While we discussed the top and bottom ranges for earners, how does that compare to experience levels? First, we have to briefly define what we mean by junior, regular, and senior. While these definitions do vary, in general a junior developer is someone with less than 3 years of experience. A regular developer may have anywhere from 3 to 10 years of experience, while senior developers are those with over 10.

The differences actually aren’t as dramatic as you might imagine. Data for junior Python developers is harder to come by, but regular ones earn an average of 60,000 GBP. Senior Python developers in the UK earn an average of 70,000 GBP. This again points to the fact that a smaller number of super high earners skew this data quite a lot.

So if you’re looking to begin a career as a Python developer in the UK, don’t expect to be earning six figures anytime soon. But if you’re successful and able to crack into the top range of the market, your earning potential is exceptionally high.

Average python developer salary range in the USA

Python developers in the US are some of the highest average earners in the world. The national average comes in at $136,700 per year while the median is just under $5,000 below that. This smaller difference points to the fact that there isn’t nearly as much variation between the higher and lower end salaries compared to the UK. 

For example, while the top 10% of Python developer salaries in the US are just over double the lowest 10%, in the UK that difference is more than 3x. But that’s all within the US as a whole. Considering the enormous size of the country, how much regional variation is there?

Looking at some states with the highest number of Python developer jobs, we do see some significant variation. The average Python developer salary in New York clocks in at $158,800 per year while those in Arizona can expect to earn an average of just $119,100 per year. 

However, like in the UK, the average remote Python developer salary does still come in above the national average at $147,500. So regardless of your location, Python developers in the US can still earn high salaries by working remotely.

Python developer salaries in the US by years of experience

Despite the difference between the highest and lowest ends of the spectrum not reaching those of the UK, there’s significant variation here. Even regular Python developer salaries are nearly $14,000 below the national average. This points to the fact that some high earners really skew the data.

We can see this by looking at the average pay for senior Python developers, which reaches $150,600. While data for junior Python developers wasn’t available, the rest of the data indicates they likely earn substantially below the national average.

Average python developer salary range in Germany

Python developer salaries in Germany come in below the averages seen in both the US and UK at just 63,600 EUR per year. That said, the median is only 1,100 EUR lower meaning Germany doesn’t have nearly the same number of super-high earners skewing the data. This points to Germany as a better place for an entry-level person but less ideal for someone with a lot of experience.

Within the country there is some variation, with lower salaries in places like Cologne (57,500 EUR on average) and Munich (72,500 EUR on average). But this variation isn’t anywhere near what you can see in places like the UK.

Python developer salaries in Germany by years of experience

Data on Python developer salaries in Germany presents an interesting pattern. There are many junior developers with salaries around 15,000 EUR while many enjoy salaries closer to 50,000 EUR, leading to a low average of just 36,800 EUR.

Besides the number of much lower junior salaries, the averages for regular and senior Python developers are much closer to the overall averages at 61,000 EUR and 70,400 EUR respectively. In other words, removing those lower outliers, Python developers in Germany start out with decent salaries but don’t see substantial increases as they progress in seniority, at least compared to the UK and US.

Average python developer salary range in Switzerland

Switzerland is a real outliner in terms of average Python developer salaries. The national average is 101,200 CHF. That puts it significantly over other European countries like Germany but still behind the US. That number decreases to just 88,400 CHF in cities like Lausanne but that’s largely due to some outliers in the data bringing the average down.

Even the bottom 10% average of 82,500 CHF puts Swiss Python developers well above the national average salary of 79,980 CHF per month.

Python developer salaries in Switzerland by years of experience

As with countries like Germany, there are some strong outliers on the junior side of Python developer salaries which bring the average down to 69,100 CHF. However, the median is 80,000 CHF and that more accurately represents what a junior developer can expect.

Regular Python developers earn an average of 94,700 CHF while their more senior counterparts tend to earn around 109,300 CHF. This makes Switzerland another country where the salary differences between junior and senior developers are not as great as in places like the US or UK.

Average python developer salary range in Eastern Europe

In general, salaries in Eastern Europe range widely as the average wages in countries like Poland far exceed those in places like Bulgaria. That said, the region has a strong and well-earned reputation for technical excellence at affordable prices, which is why it’s so often considered for outsourcing. But because of all that variation, it makes more sense to look at specific countries rather than the region as a whole. Here we’re going to highlight two of the most common locations: Bulgaria and Ukraine.

Average Python developer salary in Bulgaria

The average Python developer in Bulgaria brings in 39,100 BGN per year (note that Bulgarian salaries are generally represented by the net pay, not the gross as in many other countries). But that translates into just under 20,000 EUR, meaning Bulgarian Python developer salaries are less than a third of those in their fellow EU member Germany.

You can expect some variation throughout the country, but most Python developer jobs will be based in the larger cities. Otherwise, smaller towns have significantly lower costs of living for those who can work remotely.

This affordability is in part what makes Bulgaria an attractive destination. Being in the EU enables an ease of doing business while the low cost of living ensures that developers can enjoy a high quality of life even when compared to their counterparts in countries like Germany. But how does experience affect these rates?

Junior developers generally earn just 20,400 BGN while those with over two years of experience tend to earn more in the 36,000 BGN range. Senior Python developer salaries are generally over 51,000 BGN. In other words, the field tends to have fairly low starting salaries that increase substantially within the first 5-10 years before leveling out as you reach 20+ years of experience.

Average Python developer salary range in Ukraine

Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine remains a country boasting a strong tech workforce. That said, average salaries for Python developers here remain quite low by international standards. The national average is just 450,000 UAH per year, or about 10,300 EUR. This is just over half what Python developers in Bulgaria earn.

In what is likely a reflection of the challenges brought on by the war, the averages for major cities like Kyiv are lower than for remote workers. The average in Kyiv is just 342,000 UAH while for those working remotely it’s 510,000 UAH. 

Other sources looking at averages based on seniority finds higher ranges of 779,000 UAH for junior Python developers, 1,412,000 UAH for regular developers, and 2,435,000 UAH for senior developers. The large discrepancies between sources may be a result of the difficulty in gathering quality data during the war. But what is clear is that Ukranian Python Developers earn relatively low salaries, but can reach their EU counterparts as they become more senior.

Average python developer salary

Globally, the top earning Python developers often bring in 10-20x those of their lower paid counterparts. But besides the national averages, it’s helpful to look at how the numbers break down by experience level as well. This points to the fact that some countries may be far more affordable for companies looking for junior or senior talent exclusively.

Likewise, for those interested in becoming Python developers and who are willing to relocate, some countries may be more attractive in the early years of your career.

But for both companies and individuals, you also can’t neglect other factors like tax rates, ease of doing business, quality of life, and the kinds of employers or partners in those markets. Only by looking at all of this information together can you get a holistic picture of the cost of quality Python development skills and find the right solution for you.