As the terms ‘software engineer’ and  ‘software developer’ cover a broad variety of roles, and international hires are common, it is impossible to give a precise figure.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the median salary for software developers in the U.S. (the closest category to ‘software engineer’) is $110,140 per year or $52.95 per hour. According to international freelancing marketplace Upwork (covering freelance software developers and engineers all over the world), the median pay for software developers is between $15 and $30 per hour.  Hiring costs will differ substantially depending on:  whether employees or contractors are sought; whether recruitment is outsourced;  whether a PEO or staffing agency is used; and, the specific technical competencies and level of seniority expected.