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Free PDF report · 2026 edition

Southeast Asia Software Developer Salary Guide - 2026

What remote software engineers in six Southeast Asian markets charge US, European and Australian companies, from junior to lead, and what changes if you employ instead of contract.

  • Monthly contractor rates at four levels in six markets
  • Senior rate ranges from the floor to the top of each market
  • Rates by role: back-end, front-end, mobile, DevOps, data, AI, QA and design
  • Contributions, bonuses and leave if you employ instead
155rate cards
6markets
8role families
20pages
Cover of the Second Talent Southeast Asia Software Developer Salary Guide 2026

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What remote engineers in Southeast Asia charge

Median monthly contractor rates across the region. Pick a level to compare the markets.

Senior engineers, median monthly rate by market

USD per month
  • Vietnam $4,500
  • Philippines $4,550
  • Indonesia $4,400
  • Malaysia $4,700
  • Thailand $4,800

Singapore runs on its own scale$14,100 a month

Senior ranges, rates for 8 role families and employer costs for every market are in the full guide.

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Monthly US dollar rates for full-time remote contractors working for US, European and Australian companies, built from Second Talent’s 155 Southeast Asia rate cards.

20 pages

What’s inside

Everything you need to budget a role, make an offer or run a compensation review for engineers in Southeast Asia.

  1. Rates by level, in six markets

    Junior, mid, senior and lead contractor rate medians for Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

  2. Senior ranges, floor to top

    The typical senior band in each market, so you know where an offer lands before you make it.

  3. Rates by role and stack

    Back-end, front-end, mobile, DevOps, data, AI, QA and design, and the premium the scarcer skills command.

  4. Engineering levels, IC2 to IC5

    Experience bands and scope for each level, including how each one is expected to use AI coding tools.

  5. Employ instead of contract

    Social contributions, mandatory bonuses and leave in each market, so you can price an employee as well as a contractor.

  6. How to set an offer

    Market snapshots and a short method for turning the ranges into a competitive offer.

Price your next Southeast Asia hire with real numbers

Rates by market, level and role, plus what it costs to employ instead of contract. Free, 20 pages, instant download.

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