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Average Embedded Software Developer Salary in United Kingdom for 2026

An embedded software developer in United Kingdom earns about 72,400 GBP a year. That's 4% roughly in line with the national average of 69,700 GBP.

Pay ranges widely from country to country and from role to role. The lowest reported salaries in United Kingdom sit around 36,600 GBP a year, while the very top stretches to 114,600 GBP. Everything on this page is in British pound (GBP, symbol £), which lets you compare numbers like-for-like without worrying about exchange rates.

The numbers here are pulled together from official government wage data, large independent salary surveys, and aggregated worker-reported pay. Most reported salaries include the benefits that are common in United Kingdom, such as housing or transport allowances, which is worth keeping in mind if you're comparing against a country where those are usually paid on top.

To turn a gross salary in United Kingdom into a take-home figure, use our United Kingdom salary after tax calculator, which works the latest tax brackets and contributions through the math for you.

How much does an embedded software developer make in United Kingdom?

Average salary
72,400 GBP
6,033 GBP per month
Lowest reported
36,600 GBP
3,050 GBP per month
Highest reported
114,600 GBP
9,550 GBP per month

A typical embedded software developer working in United Kingdom brings home around 6,033 GBP a month before tax. Entry-level pay starts near 36,600 GBP, and the top of the ladder reaches roughly 114,600 GBP for the most experienced and specialised people in the role.

The wide gap between low end and top end reflects how much pay can vary inside the same job title. A junior embedded software developer working at a small local employer earns very different money from a senior at a multinational. Skills, employer, city and years in the seat all push the number around. For a cross-country comparison, see the embedded software developer salary in Guernsey or Jersey, both of which pay in the same currency.

How embedded software developer pay ranges in United Kingdom

A good way to think about salary in United Kingdom is to look at the distribution rather than the headline average. Half of all embedded software developers in United Kingdom earn less than 73,500 GBP a year, and the other half earn more. That middle number is the median, and it is usually more useful than the average for answering "is my pay normal here".

Looking at the quartiles fills in the picture. A quarter of earners take home less than 49,300 GBP (the 25th percentile), and a quarter clear 95,000 GBP (the 75th percentile). The middle 50% of embedded software developers sit somewhere inside that band, which is where the typical reader of this page probably lives.

The very lowest reported salaries sit around 36,600 GBP. The highest stretch to 114,600 GBP, though only a small fraction of earners ever reach that level. If you are deciding whether your own offer or current pay is reasonable, work out which of those four bands you would fall into and use that as your reference point.

36,600
Low
73,500
Median
114,600
High
49,300
25th
95,000
75th
The middle 50% sit between the 25th and 75th percentile Tails are the lowest and highest reported All figures in GBP

Embedded software developer pay by experience in United Kingdom

Years of experience is the single biggest lever on pay for an embedded software developer in United Kingdom, ahead of education and almost any other single factor. The longer you have been in the role, the more your employer can trust you to handle complexity, mentor others and act independently, all of which command higher pay. The chart below shows how the typical embedded software developer salary changes as you move through the career ladder.

  • 0-2 Years
    40,300 GBP
  • 2-5 Years
    +37% from previous
    55,400 GBP
  • 5-10 Years
    +37% from previous
    76,000 GBP
  • 10-15 Years
    +21% from previous
    91,600 GBP
  • 15-20 Years
    +9% from previous
    99,900 GBP
  • 20+ Years
    +7% from previous
    107,300 GBP

The single largest jump on the ladder is from 0 - 2 Years to 2 - 5 Years, where pay rises by about 37%. That is the point at which a embedded software developer typically goes from "competent in the role" to "the person other people in the team learn from", and the market pays well for that step.

Embedded software developer pay by education in United Kingdom

Education sits alongside experience as one of the biggest factors driving embedded software developer pay in United Kingdom. Higher qualifications consistently pull higher salaries, but the size of the gap tends to be smallest at junior levels and widens as people move up. Two people in the same role with the same years of experience but different degrees can end up earning very different money once they reach mid-career.

Below is the average embedded software developer salary in United Kingdom broken down by the highest level of education a worker has completed.

  • Certificate or Diploma
    55,400 GBP
  • Bachelor's Degree
    +33% from previous
    73,500 GBP
  • Master's Degree
    +52% from previous
    111,700 GBP

Embedded software developer gender pay gap in United Kingdom

The gender pay gap is a stubborn feature of almost every labour market, and United Kingdom is no exception. Male embedded software developers in United Kingdom earn an average of 73,500 GBP a year, while female embedded software developers earn around 69,400 GBP. That works out to a 6% gap in favour of men, even when comparing people doing the same work.

A pay gap of this size has a real long-term cost. Over a typical thirty-year career it can add up to several years of pay, and it compounds through pensions, retirement contributions and bonus-linked stock. Some of the gap is explained by women being more likely to work part-time, take career breaks, or be steered toward lower-paying specialisations. Some of it is straightforward unequal pay for the same job, which is harder to defend.

Embedded Software Developer gender pay gap

6%

Men earn this much more than women on average in United Kingdom.

Men 73,500 GBP
Women 69,400 GBP

Pay raises for an embedded software developer in United Kingdom

Most countries hand out at least some kind of pay raise every year, typically when an employee's contract is reviewed or as a cost-of-living adjustment to keep wages roughly in step with inflation. The rhythm and size of those raises varies hugely between industries.

A typical worker doing this role in United Kingdom sees a raise of about 12% every 17 months, which works out to roughly 8% on an annual basis. That figure is the typical underlying rate; in years where inflation runs high you can usually expect a bit more, and in flat-economy years a bit less.

Across all jobs in United Kingdom, the national average raise is around 9% every 15 months.

By industry

Industries with the highest pay raises in United Kingdom:

  • Banking
  • Energy
  • Information Technology
  • Healthcare
  • Travel
  • Construction
  • Education

By experience level

Experienced workers tend to see larger raises. Retaining a senior is cheaper than replacing them, so employers fight harder for them.

  • Junior Level
    3% - 5%
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior Level
  • Top Management

Embedded software developer bonus rates in United Kingdom

Bonuses are the other half of total compensation, and they vary a lot between jobs and industries. Some roles are paid almost entirely in base salary; others lean heavily on bonus structures tied to revenue, project completion or company performance. Whether a job pays a bonus, how big it is, and how often it lands all factor into whether the headline salary is actually a good offer.

58%

58% of embedded software developers in United Kingdom reported a bonus of some kind in the past twelve months. That makes an embedded software developer a moderate-bonus role overall, which is useful context when you're weighing up a job offer where the base is below market.

Among those who did receive a bonus, the size of the payment varied substantially. Reported bonuses ranged from 3% to 6% of base salary. The remaining 42% of embedded software developers reported no bonus at all over the same period.

Which careers pay bonuses in United Kingdom

Revenue-facing roles tend to pay the biggest bonuses. Operational and support roles tend toward smaller, more predictable ones.

  • Finance
  • Architecture
  • Sales
  • Business Development
  • Marketing / Advertising
  • Information Technology
  • Healthcare
  • Insurance
  • Customer Service
  • Human Resources
  • Construction
  • Transport
  • Hospitality

Embedded software developer: public vs private sector pay

Public-sector pay in United Kingdom is about 7% more than private-sector pay for similar work. The private sector typically offers stronger upside and bigger bonuses; the public sector typically offers better benefits and stability.

Public vs private pay gap

6%

Public-sector workers earn this much more than private-sector workers in United Kingdom on average.

Public sector 72,700 GBP
Private sector 68,200 GBP

Embedded software developer salary by city and region in United Kingdom

Embedded software developer pay is not even across United Kingdom. The chart below shows the highest-paying cities and regions in the dataset, followed by the full location table.

  • England
  • Scotland
  • Glasgow
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Edinburgh
  • Somerset
  • Leeds
  • Liverpool
  • Belfast
LocationTypeAverageMedianRange
EnglandRegion138,700 GBP141,000 GBP67,500-213,800 GBP
ScotlandRegion100,700 GBP107,700 GBP48,600-160,700 GBP
GlasgowCity85,500 GBP78,700 GBP46,000-128,400 GBP
BirminghamCity84,800 GBP92,100 GBP38,000-134,700 GBP
BristolCity83,300 GBP83,700 GBP41,900-128,400 GBP
EdinburghCity81,900 GBP87,800 GBP39,800-130,400 GBP
SomersetCity81,700 GBP86,600 GBP40,000-130,500 GBP
LeedsCity81,400 GBP77,300 GBP42,700-125,400 GBP
LiverpoolCity81,300 GBP84,800 GBP39,100-128,200 GBP
BelfastCity80,800 GBP79,800 GBP39,800-125,400 GBP
CoventryCity80,800 GBP80,800 GBP39,300-124,500 GBP
LondonCity80,500 GBP90,600 GBP36,700-130,500 GBP
BradfordCity80,400 GBP75,400 GBP41,500-123,000 GBP
CardiffCity79,500 GBP83,800 GBP40,500-128,200 GBP
AberdeenCity78,900 GBP76,000 GBP39,300-119,700 GBP
SheffieldCity78,900 GBP80,800 GBP36,500-123,000 GBP
LeicesterCity78,700 GBP74,700 GBP40,200-121,800 GBP
ManchesterCity78,700 GBP73,800 GBP41,500-121,800 GBP
WolverhamptonCity78,700 GBP87,400 GBP37,300-128,200 GBP
Kingston upon HullCity78,200 GBP84,200 GBP36,800-124,500 GBP
YorkCity78,200 GBP71,200 GBP40,200-117,100 GBP
BrightonCity77,300 GBP75,900 GBP38,000-119,700 GBP
DerbyCity76,900 GBP80,800 GBP36,800-121,800 GBP
NewcastleCity76,600 GBP73,700 GBP39,100-115,600 GBP
SwanseaCity76,600 GBP73,700 GBP39,100-115,600 GBP
NottinghamCity76,000 GBP81,000 GBP35,000-121,800 GBP
DundeeCity75,400 GBP76,900 GBP36,800-117,100 GBP
ArmaghCity74,600 GBP71,900 GBP37,800-114,300 GBP
PlymouthCity73,500 GBP73,500 GBP35,400-116,400 GBP
NewportCity73,300 GBP78,500 GBP34,000-115,600 GBP
DerryCity71,800 GBP77,300 GBP31,700-114,600 GBP
ExeterCity71,800 GBP67,200 GBP39,500-109,000 GBP
StirlingCity71,800 GBP73,500 GBP35,300-112,700 GBP
WinchesterCity71,700 GBP74,100 GBP33,500-108,200 GBP
CambridgeCity71,600 GBP77,400 GBP31,700-114,600 GBP
PortsmouthCity71,400 GBP79,600 GBP35,100-116,400 GBP
OxfordCity70,700 GBP65,900 GBP38,000-109,000 GBP
PeterboroughCity70,600 GBP68,500 GBP38,700-108,200 GBP
SouthamptonCity70,500 GBP75,900 GBP35,400-114,900 GBP
GloucesterCity70,000 GBP69,800 GBP36,500-109,000 GBP
InvernessCity70,000 GBP65,900 GBP35,500-105,800 GBP
LisburnCity69,800 GBP63,900 GBP36,700-105,200 GBP
NewryCity69,700 GBP67,800 GBP35,200-109,700 GBP
LincolnCity69,700 GBP69,700 GBP36,600-108,200 GBP
ChesterCity69,400 GBP65,800 GBP36,500-105,800 GBP
WalesRegion69,400 GBP65,700 GBP34,700-107,300 GBP
HartlepoolCity69,100 GBP71,100 GBP33,500-107,700 GBP
WellsCity67,900 GBP67,900 GBP35,500-105,200 GBP
NorwichCity67,800 GBP69,700 GBP35,300-109,700 GBP
PooleCity67,800 GBP72,700 GBP34,000-109,700 GBP
AbingdonCity67,200 GBP67,200 GBP31,700-105,200 GBP
StromnessCity66,900 GBP70,000 GBP30,800-102,700 GBP
WakefieldCity66,900 GBP61,500 GBP33,000-97,900 GBP
KirkwallCity66,700 GBP66,700 GBP32,900-103,600 GBP
DurhamCity66,200 GBP74,000 GBP32,900-109,000 GBP
StrontianCity66,000 GBP62,100 GBP35,400-96,800 GBP
BangorCity65,900 GBP65,900 GBP33,600-103,600 GBP
CanterburyCity65,900 GBP63,200 GBP35,000-100,700 GBP
Northern IrelandRegion65,400 GBP62,100 GBP37,200-97,300 GBP
SalisburyCity64,800 GBP63,500 GBP33,600-100,300 GBP
St DavidsCity64,500 GBP61,400 GBP34,000-95,400 GBP
RiponCity63,000 GBP59,800 GBP32,900-94,500 GBP
TruroCity61,500 GBP58,600 GBP33,500-95,300 GBP

Embedded Software Developer in United Kingdom: FAQs

  • How much does an embedded software developer make per month in United Kingdom?

    An embedded software developer in United Kingdom earns about 6,033 GBP a month before tax, based on an annual average of 72,400 GBP.

  • What's the salary range for an embedded software developer in United Kingdom?

    Entry-level embedded software developers in United Kingdom start near 36,600 GBP. Top-end pay reaches around 114,600 GBP. The middle 50% of earners sit between 49,300 and 95,000 GBP.

  • Is the median embedded software developer salary in United Kingdom higher or lower than the average?

    The median is 73,500 GBP, higher than the average of 72,400 GBP. Half of embedded software developers in United Kingdom earn below the median, half earn above it.

  • What's the gender pay gap for embedded software developers in United Kingdom?

    Men working as an embedded software developer in United Kingdom earn around 6% more than women on average (73,500 vs 69,400 GBP a year).

  • Do embedded software developers in United Kingdom get bonuses?

    About 58% of embedded software developers in United Kingdom reported a bonus in the past 12 months. Reported bonuses ranged from 3% to 6% of base salary.

  • Do embedded software developers earn more in the public or private sector in United Kingdom?

    In United Kingdom, the public sector pays an embedded software developer about 7% more on average. Public-sector pay tends to be steadier; private-sector pay tends to offer bigger upside.

  • How often do embedded software developers in United Kingdom get a pay raise?

    An embedded software developer in United Kingdom sees a raise of around 12% every 17 months, equivalent to roughly 8% a year.