Thailand Software Developer Pay Insights – Rates & Salaries

Based on Second Talent’s data after interviewing 920+ candidates, software developers in Thailand earn $18–$40/hour, with monthly salaries ranging $2,200–$4,800 USD depending on experience. Top cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai; popular stacks include Java, Node.js, Laravel.
Second Talent

Quick Overview: Thailand’s tech industry is rapidly expanding under the “Thailand 4.0” initiative. This has created strong demand for software developers, particularly in Bangkok’s booming startup scene and the growing tech hub of Chiang Mai. Competitive salaries and a world-renowned quality of life make Thailand a major destination for tech talent.

💰 Current Salary Ranges (2025)

Junior Developer

฿25,000 – ฿45,000
Monthly Salary

Mid-Level Developer

฿45,000 – ฿85,000
Monthly Salary

Senior Developer

฿85,000 – ฿150,000
Monthly Salary

Lead/Architect

฿120,000 – ฿200,000+
Monthly Salary

⏰ Detailed Hourly Rates Breakdown

Experience Level Local Rate (THB/hour) Remote/International (USD/hour) Freelance Rate (USD/hour)
Junior (0-2 years) ฿150 – ฿280 $10 – $20 $15 – $30
Mid-Level (3-5 years) ฿280 – ฿530 $20 – $35 $30 – $50
Senior (5-8 years) ฿530 – ฿940 $35 – $60 $50 – $80
Lead/Architect (8+ years) ฿750 – ฿1,250+ $55 – $85 $70 – $120+

🏙️ Salary by Major Cities

🏢 Bangkok

฿45,000 – ฿160,000
The undisputed tech capital of Thailand. Home to major companies like Agoda and unicorns like Flash Express and Bitkub. Offers the highest salaries and most opportunities.

⛰️ Chiang Mai

฿30,000 – ฿110,000
A major hub for digital nomads and remote workers. Features a growing startup scene, excellent quality of life, and a significantly lower cost of living than Bangkok.

🏖️ Phuket

฿30,000 – ฿90,000
An emerging tech destination with a focus on hospitality and lifestyle tech. Attracts talent looking to combine a career with a tropical island lifestyle.

🏭 Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC)

฿40,000 – ฿120,000
This special economic zone (incl. Chonburi, Rayong) focuses on advanced industries like automation, robotics, and logistics tech, with strong government incentives.

🔍 Key Market Insights for 2025

  • Government Push: The “Thailand 4.0” policy and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) are actively driving demand for tech talent, aiming to create hundreds of thousands of new tech jobs.
  • Bangkok Premium: Salaries in Bangkok are typically 25-40% higher than in other parts of Thailand due to the high concentration of corporate headquarters and startups.
  • Startup Unicorns: The success of Thai unicorns like Flash Express (logistics), Ascend Money (fintech), and Bitkub (crypto) has fueled investment and created a vibrant job market.
  • In-Demand Skills: Cloud computing (AWS, GCP), AI/ML, and Cybersecurity are the highest-paying specializations due to a significant skills gap.
  • Remote Work Culture: Chiang Mai is a world-famous hub for remote work, creating a strong ecosystem of co-working spaces and opportunities for international collaboration.
  • Foreign Investment: The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) offers attractive tax incentives and smart visas for foreign tech companies and skilled professionals, increasing competition for top talent.
  • E-commerce & Fintech Boom: The rapid adoption of platforms like Shopee/Lazada and digital payment systems like PromptPay and TrueMoney creates continuous demand for developers.

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FAQs
Why do software developer rates vary so much?

Software developer rates vary due to factors like experience, location, technology stack, and project complexity. Senior developers in major markets charge more, while entry-level or offshore talent may cost less due to lower demand or living costs.

Yes, software developer rates vary significantly by industry. Finance, healthcare, and defense tend to pay more than education, media, or non-profits. Enterprise software and SaaS sectors offer higher pay on average.

Remote developers may earn slightly less than on-site roles, especially in companies adjusting pay based on cost of living. However, high-demand skills and freelance work can offset location-based adjustments.

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