Software Engineer Salary in the UK: €119k Senior Base (2026)

Jane Street's London office reportedly pays new graduates north of £200,000 total compensation. The UK national median sits at roughly £67,000 (~€79,000). London dominates the upper band, fintech and trading firms set the ceiling, and the majority earns something much more modest.

What employers post right now

In October 2026, the 190 senior software-engineering listings on this board with a posted pay range in the UK (from 19 companies) post a median base pay of €119k a year. The middle half of them sit between €115k and €151k. These are base salaries from live job ads, converted to euros at the current rate, so bonus and equity are not included. The board only lists employers chosen for paying senior engineers €100k or the local equivalent, so read this as the upper end of the market, not the national median. The levels.fyi figures further down are total compensation collected in March 2026. For the same view across ten countries, see software engineer salary in Europe.

Wise is the largest lister here, with 49% of the listings; without it the median is €119k.

By employer, for those with at least two listings. A company that posts many listings, like a large tech employer, can pull the country figure towards its own pay scale.

The numbers at a glance

For the full list of companies paying £100K+, see the UK £100K companies guide. Browse roles at nextleveljobs.eu/country/gb.

How the UK compares to the rest of Europe

The UK's median TC of ~£67,000 (~€79,000) places it between Germany (€81,495) and the Netherlands (€89,987). But London's senior median competes with Dublin and outpaces Amsterdam. London's trading firms create a ceiling no other European city matches. See our top 5 European cities for software engineers for a comparison.

Which companies actually pay the most

Jane Street (London): £300,000–£500,000+ TC at senior levels. Even new graduates start above £200,000 TC.

Google (London): L3 ~£80,000–£100,000, L4 ~£120,000–£150,000, L5 ~£180,000–£220,000 TC.

Meta (London): E4 ~£120,000–£150,000, E5 ~£180,000–£220,000 TC. RSU-heavy at senior levels.

Goldman Sachs (London): VP level £150,000–£250,000+ TC. Base + discretionary bonus.

Stripe (London): L2 ~£100,000–£130,000, L3 ~£160,000–£200,000 TC.

Revolut (London): Senior £90,000–£130,000 TC. Base + share options.

Wise (London): Senior £85,000–£120,000 TC. RSUs on LSE. Browse at nextleveljobs.eu/country/gb.

What level do you need to hit £100K in the UK?

In London at big tech, L4 / mid-level (3–5 years) crosses £100K. At trading firms, from day one. Outside London, £100K is rare — Manchester and Edinburgh senior medians sit at £65,000–£80,000.

Base vs total comp — what to negotiate

At traditional UK employers, comp is base salary. At US tech, equity can be 20–40% of TC. The EMI scheme offers favorable capital gains treatment for startup options. Pension contributions above 3% minimum are an often-overlooked lever.

Find live roles at nextleveljobs.eu/country/gb. If you're relocating from outside the UK, see our UK visa sponsorship guide covering the Skilled Worker visa and the employers that sponsor it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average software engineer salary in the UK?

The median TC is approximately £67,000 (~€79,000) nationally. London median is ~£80,000 (~€94,000). Senior London is £95,000–£110,000.

Is London pay higher?

Yes, by £15,000–£20,000 at every level, driven by concentration of US tech, trading firms, and fintech.

Which company pays the most?

Jane Street and Citadel pay £200,000–£500,000+ TC. Google and Meta London L5/E5 report £180,000–£220,000.

How much take-home on £100K?

Roughly £67,000–£70,000 net. Income tax is 20% to £50,270, 40% above. National Insurance adds 8% between £12,570–£50,270.