Salary levels vary widely by region and by company type. In North America, mid-level backend developers earn roughly USD 90,000–140,000; senior roles reach USD 150,000–220,000, with stock/options common in tech firms. Example: USA (San Francisco): USD 130,000–200,000; Canada (Toronto): CAD 80,000–120,000 ~ USD 60,000–90,000.
In Western Europe, typical ranges run EUR 45,000–95,000 for mid-to-senior roles. Example: Germany (Berlin): EUR 55,000–95,000 ~ USD 60,000–105,000; UK (London): GBP 50,000–95,000 ~ USD 63,000–120,000. Benefits like generous vacation and employer healthcare vary by country.
Asia-Pacific shows wide spread. Example: India (Bengaluru): INR 8–30 LPA ~ USD 10,000–36,000 for startups to global firms; Australia (Sydney): AUD 90,000–150,000 ~ USD 60,000–100,000. Latin America tends lower nominally but offers cost advantages. Example: Brazil (São Paulo): BRL 80,000–200,000 ~ USD 16,000–40,000.
Adjust pay expectations for cost of living and purchasing power parity (PPP). A USD 100,000 salary in the US buys less than the same nominal amount in lower-cost countries. Employers may use local market bands or global levelling systems (L10–L7 at big tech) to align offers.
Tax regimes change take-home pay drastically; progressive income taxes, social contributions, and mandatory healthcare reduce net income in many EU countries more than in US states. Experience and proven cloud, scaling, and system-design skills transfer strongly and often command senior-level premiums. Use local salary surveys and offer benchmarking tools to compare total compensation (base, bonus, equity, benefits).
