2026 Philadelphia IT Salary Guide

The Philadelphia Tech Salary Guide from Motion Recruitment provides expected salaries for tech workers in Philadelphia in 2026. The guide includes salary data for over 100 tech positions, along with expert commentary on the evolving tech scene in Philadelphia and the latest industry developments.

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IT Salaries and Tech Market Insights for Philadelphia in 2026

Motion's 2026 IT Salary Guide for Philadelphia offers key insights for those pursuing tech careers or recruiting tech talent.

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Map Out Your 2026 Strategy for Philadelphia's Tech Hiring Market

with Expert Insights & Salary Data

Agentic AI is the next step in the evolution of artificial intelligence technology, and with that comes increased concerns from Philadelphia’s IT workers about being replaced or massive changes in how work gets done in the tech space.
 
Scams are on the rise for both job seekers and company leaders, making hiring tech workers more difficult than ever. This may be why boomerang hiring has increased, with Philadelphia IT workers returning to their former employers.
 
How does all of this impact your goals for 2026? Motion’s 2026 Philadelphia Tech Salary Guide goes in-depth on the trends that are impacting the tech industry, along with IT salary data from over 100 of the top jobs in the industry.

 

102,000

tech workers in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia region has over 102,000 core tech workers employed in the metro area.

$130K

average salary for Philadelphia IT workers

The average base level salary for all Philadelphia tech workers is $130,192.

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Emerging Tech in Philadelphia: Agentic AI and the Lack of Upskilling

Philly tech professionals are more concerned about layoffs than those in any other sector, especially with the growing impact of Agentic AI. Yet, most have not taken steps to enhance their GenAI skills. To stay competitive in 2026, now is the time to invest in developing your AI expertise, as less than half of workers are upskilling in GenAI.
Chris.Walek.BW Circle

Q: What Do Philadelphia IT Job Seekers and Hiring Managers Need to Know?

From Chris Walek, Vice President at Motion Recruitment, Philadelphia:

“The Philadelphia tech leaders and job seekers who will have the biggest advantage in 2026 will be the ones who know how to network effectively. Just sending out a resume isn't enough in this market, and the rise of fraudulent workers is continuing to grow. As a result, an increasing number of Philly IT professionals are relying on referrals they can trust or people they've already met."

What will I find in Motion's IT Salary Guide?

What tech job data and trends are covered in the guide?
  • The state of tech employment in 2026, with the impact of layoffs, economic conditions, IT job creation and the tech talent shortage.

  • The continuing impact of artificial intelligence on the job market, including a spike in data center construction, the need for upskilling in the tech industry and how AI is evolving the wearables market.

  • Tech hiring and workplace trends, including tech workers heading back to the office and IT workers boomeranging back to previous employers.

  • Advice from market experts on what you can do to succeed in 2026.
What valuable insights into IT salary data can I discover?
  • You will find starting salaries for mid and senior level ranges for over 100 specific job titles across technology areas. There are also city-specific variances included, which you can use to measure the regional salary ranges per tech job.

  • You will see IT salaries for top roles from the most in-demand technology areas: Software, Data & AI, Security, Infrastructure & DevOps, Mobile, Functional, Product & UX and Executive.

Previous Salary Guides

Tech Hiring Market
Midyear Update 2025

Tech Salary Guide
North America 2025

Tech Hiring Market
Midyear Update 2024

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good IT Salary in Philadelphia?

Defining a good IT salary in Philadelphia depends on several factors, including job role, experience and market demand.

For mid-level IT roles such as Systems Analysts or Developers, competitive salaries often range from approximately $75,000 to $110,000 annually, depending on specialty and technical skills. Senior positions in areas like Systems Engineering or cybersecurity-related roles typically command higher compensation, frequently ranging from $100,000 up to $140,000 or more. These figures reflect a range that balances the need to attract top talent along with cost of living and other economic factors.

Philadelphia's growing tech ecosystem benefits from its proximity to major financial, healthcare, and education sectors, which translates to strong demand for IT expertise and a seamless experience in career advancement. Additionally, salaries in Philadelphia tend to be slightly lower than those in larger tech hubs like New York City or San Francisco, though the cost of living advantage often offsets this.

In summary, an IT salary in Philadelphia that falls within the $80,000 to $130,000 range for mid- to senior level roles indicates a solid base for professionals, considering the evolving landscape and expanding market. Companies continue to invest in digital transformation and cybersecurity, generating critical roles with compensation packages that offer a significant impact on candidates’ financial goals.

What IT job has the highest salary in Philadelphia?

The IT job with the highest salary in Philadelphia tends to be the Senior Cloud Architect role. According to 2026 IT salary Philadelphia data, Senior Cloud Architects earn between approximately $159,000 and $221,000 annually. This range surpasses other senior level IT roles, showcasing the expanding viability of cloud expertise as a highly valued specialization.

Other top-paying positions include Senior .Net Architects, with salaries ranging from about $155,000 to $216,000, and Senior Infrastructure and Security Architects, earning between roughly $165,000 and $187,000. Senior Data Engineers also command significant compensation, with salaries reaching near $188,000.

These figures reflect an evolving landscape where advanced architecture and cloud skills have a significant impact on digital transformation initiatives and enterprise scalability. The competitive salary bands emphasize the critical role these professionals play in delivering secure, scalable, and seamless cloud experiences.

Have IT salaries increased in Philadelphia in 2026?

IT salaries in Philadelphia are experiencing a general upward trend in 2026. While the retrieved data does not specify exact project manager salaries, the broader IT salary Philadelphia landscape shows notable salary ranges for key IT roles, reflecting overall compensation growth in the region.

For example, mid-level software professionals can expect salaries from around $112,000 to $144,000, with senior roles reaching as high as $172,000. Similarly, positions such as data engineers and AI engineers display significant earning potential, with mid-level salaries exceeding $107,000 and senior level roles surpassing $160,000.

This increase aligns with expanding viability in technology sectors across Philadelphia, driven by digital transformation initiatives and demand for scalable solutions. The evolving landscape in compensation underscores efforts to stay attuned to market demands and talent retention challenges.