Software Developer in Flower Mound, TX

As a career analyst who’s spent years tracking the Dallas-Fort Worth tech scene, I’ve seen Flower Mound transform from a quiet suburb into a legitimate hub for software talent. It’s not Austin, and it’s not Silicon Valley—but that’s the point. You get a suburban lifestyle with a paycheck that stretches further, and a commute that’s often just down the road to the big employers in Plano and Irving.

This guide cuts through the promotional fluff. We’re using real data, real neighborhoods, and a local’s perspective on what it actually takes to build a software career here.

The Salary Picture: Where Flower Mound Stands

Flower Mound sits within the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, a massive tech and corporate hub. For Software Developers, the pay is strong, consistently beating the national average. The local market is mature and competitive, driven by everything from corporate IT departments to specialized healthcare tech and defense contractors.

Here’s the hard data: the median salary for a Software Developer in the area is $128,519 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of $61.79. This is slightly above the national average of $127,260. The DFW metro has a robust 475 job openings for software developers at any given time, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 17%, which is healthy and sustainable.

Here’s how that breaks down by experience level. Note that these are estimates based on local market trends for the DFW metro area.

Experience Level	Typical Years	Estimated Salary Range	Notes for Flower Mound
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$85,000 - $105,000	Often at large corporations or MSPs. Focus on core languages (Java, Python, C#).
Mid-Level	3-6 years	$105,000 - $140,000	The sweet spot. High demand for full-stack and cloud (AWS/Azure) skills.
Senior	7-10 years	$140,000 - $175,000	Leadership roles, architecture, and specialized domains (healthcare, finance).
Expert/Lead	10+ years	$175,000+	Staff/Principal engineers, management. Often includes significant equity/ bonuses.

How Flower Mound Compares to Other Texas Tech Cities:
While it doesn’t have the startup density of Austin, Flower Mound’s salaries are on par with the Dallas suburbs (Plano, Frisco, Richardson). It’s more affordable than Austin but offers similar pay. Compared to Houston, the tech scene is less energy-focused and more diverse (telecom, finance, healthcare). San Antonio has lower salaries, but a lower cost of living. For a software developer, Flower Mound hits a strong balance of high pay and manageable living costs.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. Earning $128,519 is great on paper, but what does it mean for your monthly life in Flower Mound?

First, taxes. For a single filer in Texas (no state income tax), with standard deductions, federal withholding, and FICA, your take-home pay will be roughly $8,500 - $9,000 per month. (This is an estimate; use a paycheck calculator for your exact situation.)

Now, housing. The average 1-bedroom rent in Flower Mound is $1,291/month. You can find older apartments for under $1,200 or luxury units pushing $1,800. Let's build a conservative budget.

Sample Monthly Budget (Software Developer, $128,519/year):

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	~$8,700	After taxes & standard deductions.
Rent (1BR, Average)	$1,291	A two-bedroom for $1,600-$1,900 is common for couples.
Utilities	$200	Electric, water, internet (AT&T, Spectrum).
Car Payment/Insurance	$600	Crucial: Flower Mound requires a car. Public transit is limited.
Health Insurance	$300	Employer-subsidized typical.
Groceries	$450	H-E-B is the local favorite (also Target, Costco).
Entertainment/Dining	$500	Local breweries, Dallas dining, weekend trips.
Savings/Investments	$3,000+	This is the key advantage. You can save aggressively here.
Remaining Buffer	$2,359	For travel, emergencies, car repairs, etc.

Can you afford to buy a home? Yes, but it requires planning.
The median home price in Flower Mound is around $425,000. With a $128,519 salary, a 20% down payment ($85,000) is a significant upfront cost, but not impossible for mid-to-senior level developers who have saved. A mortgage on a $340,000 loan (at 7% interest) would be around $2,260 per month, plus taxes and insurance ($300), totaling ~$2,560. With your take-home of ~$8,700, that’s a 29% debt-to-income ratio, which is manageable. The catch is the down payment. Most developers here buy after 3-5 years of renting and saving.

Where the Jobs Are: Flower Mound's Major Employers

Flower Mound itself is primarily residential. The jobs are in the immediate metro area, with a commute of 10-30 minutes. Here are the key employers that hire software developers and have a tangible presence in or near Flower Mound.

1. Texas Health Resources (THR): Their headquarters and major facilities are just east in Arlington and Fort Worth. They have a massive IT department for their hospital network. Hiring trends are strong for health informatics, data security, and patient-facing application developers. Look for jobs in their "Digital Health" or "IT" divisions.

2. JPS Health Network: Located in Fort Worth (a 20-25 minute commute), this is the public health authority. They are constantly modernizing legacy systems and need developers for electronic health records (EHR) integration and public health data platforms. Stable, government-backed roles.

3. Lockheed Martin: Their massive Fort Worth campus is a 25-30 minute drive. This is a prime destination for developers with a security clearance (or those willing to obtain one). They hire for embedded systems, simulation software, and cybersecurity. The pay is top-tier, and benefits are excellent.

4. Fidelity Investments: Their huge campus is in Westlake (a 15-20 minute commute). They are one of the largest private employers in the region. They hire aggressively for software engineers, DevOps, and data scientists. The culture is corporate but innovative. A great place to build a long-term career.

5. Capital One: Located in Plano (a 15-20 minute commute), this is a major tech hub for the financial giant. They have a modern tech stack and are known for their agile engineering culture. High demand for full-stack and backend developers.

6. Verizon: Their corporate campus is in Irving (a 25-30 minute commute). While not as large as it once was, they still hire for telecom software, network management, and cloud platforms. A good option for those with telecom or networking experience.

Insider Tip: The best jobs often aren’t advertised as "Flower Mound." They’re in Plano, Irving, Fort Worth, or Westlake. Use a 20-minute commute radius in your job search. Many companies offer hybrid schedules, allowing you to work from home 2-3 days a week, which is a huge perk for suburban living.

Getting Licensed in TX

For software developers, Texas is a dream in terms of licensing. There is no state-required license to practice as a software engineer. You do not need a P.E. (Professional Engineer) license for software development, unlike in fields like civil or mechanical engineering.

• Requirements: A formal degree is not legally required, but it’s the standard path. Employers overwhelmingly prefer a Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. For those without a degree, a strong portfolio and certifications (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) can be a pathway, but it’s steeper.
• Costs: The cost is in education and certification. A 4-year degree at a Texas public university (like UT Arlington or Texas A&M) costs $30,000-$50,000 in tuition. Certifications range from $100-$300 for an exam, plus study materials.
• Timeline to Get Started: If you’re considering a career change, a 12-24 month intensive path is viable: a reputable coding bootcamp (costs ~$10k-$20k) or a dedicated online degree/certification program. You can start applying for entry-level jobs in 6-12 months with a solid portfolio. For those already in the field, you can start applying for jobs in 1-3 months.

Best Neighborhoods for Software Developers

Flower Mound is known for its master-planned communities, excellent schools, and green spaces. The choice of neighborhood depends on your commute, family needs, and budget.

1. Central Flower Mound (75028): This is the heart of town. Close to The Shops at Highland Village, parks, and schools. A 15-minute commute to most Flower Mound jobs and a 20-25 minute drive to Plano/Irving. It offers a balanced lifestyle.

   • Rent Estimate: $1,300 - $1,600 for 1BR, $1,600 - $2,000 for 2BR.

2. Wellington / Bridlewood (75022): These are upscale, golf-course communities with larger homes. It’s quieter, more family-oriented, and a straight shot east on I-35E to Dallas. Commute to Plano is ~20 minutes. Best for established professionals or families.

   • Rent Estimate: Large townhomes/condos start at $2,000+; single-family home rentals are $2,800+.

3. The Vineyards / Touring Oaks (75028): Known for its parks, walking trails, and community pools. It’s slightly more affordable than Wellington and very popular with young professionals and new families. Commute times are similar to Central Flower Mound.

   • Rent Estimate: $1,250 - $1,500 for 1BR, $1,550 - $1,900 for 2BR.

4. Lewisville (adjacent to Flower Mound, 75067): Technically a different city, but shares the same schools in some zones. More urban feel, directly on the DART Green Line (train) for a transit commute to downtown Dallas. More apartment options and lower rents.

   • Rent Estimate: $1,100 - $1,400 for 1BR, $1,400 - $1,750 for 2BR.

5. Highland Village (75077): A sister city to Flower Mound, right on Lake Lewisville. Very scenic, with a walkable "downtown" (The Shops at Highland Village). Commute to Plano is ~25 minutes via I-35E. A premium location with a price to match.

   • Rent Estimate: $1,400 - $1,700 for 1BR, $1,700 - $2,100 for 2BR.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Flower Mound is an excellent base for long-term growth, especially if you’re strategic.

• Specialty Premiums: You can boost your salary $10k-$25k above the median by specializing in high-demand areas:

  • Cloud & DevOps (AWS/Azure/GCP): The #1 premium skill. Cloud engineers are in constant demand.
  • Cybersecurity: Especially if you can get a security clearance (for defense contractors).
  • Data Engineering & ML: Supporting the healthcare and finance sectors.
  • Full-Stack with Modern Frameworks (React, Node.js, .NET Core): The standard for corporate and product development.

• Advancement Paths: The path is clear:

  • Individual Contributor (IC) Path: Software Engineer -> Senior Engineer -> Staff Engineer -> Principal Engineer. This is the technical leadership track. Companies like Fidelity and Capital One have strong IC ladders.
  • Management Path: Engineer -> Tech Lead -> Engineering Manager -> Director. Requires strong people skills. The local market has plenty of management roles at mid-to-large companies.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 17% job growth is solid. The DFW metro is not a boom-bust town. It’s a diversified economy that weathered past recessions well. Over the next decade, expect growth in health tech (THR, JPS), fintech (Capital One, Fidelity), and defense software (Lockheed). The rise of remote work has also made Flower Mound more attractive—it’s a great place to live while working for a company based elsewhere. Your long-term security is high.

The Verdict: Is Flower Mound Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, stable salaries above the national average.	Car-dependent. You must own and insure a vehicle.
Lower cost of living than major tech cities (Austin, SF).	Limited nightlife. You'll drive to Dallas for concerts and high-end dining.
Excellent public schools (Lewisville ISD, Carroll ISD).	Summers are long, hot, and humid. (May-September).
Safe, family-friendly suburban environment.	The corporate "tech" scene is less vibrant than Austin's startup culture.
Short commutes to major employers in Plano, Irving, Fort Worth.	Master-planned communities can feel homogeneous. Less "grit" or urban character.

Final Recommendation:
Flower Mound is an ideal choice for software developers who prioritize work-life balance, family, and financial stability over startup culture or urban grit. If you want a high salary, a short commute to major corporate employers, excellent schools, and the ability to save aggressively for a home, it’s one of the best values in the country. It’s not a place for someone who wants to walk to a bar or a tech meetup every night. For that, you’d live in Dallas or Austin. But if you want a calm home base with a powerful career, Flower Mound delivers.

FAQs

Q: Do I really need a car?
A: Yes, absolutely. Public transportation (DART) has one stop in Flower Mound, but it’s not practical for daily life. A car is a non-negotiable part of the budget.

Q: How competitive is the job market for mid-level developers?
A: Very competitive, but in a good way. There are 475 open jobs for a population of ~80,000. If you have 3-5 years of experience and solid skills, you’ll find multiple offers. The key is tailoring your resume to local employers (e.g., highlighting healthcare or finance experience for THR or Capital One).

Q: What about the tech meetup scene?
A: It’s decentralized. There are strong meetup groups in Plano, Dallas, and Fort Worth (for Python, .NET, React, etc.). The community is active but not as concentrated as in Austin. You’ll likely need to drive 20-30 minutes to attend events.

Q: Is the cost of living really that low?
A: The Cost of Living Index of 103.3 is slightly above the national average, but it’s driven by housing. Compared to Austin (120+) or San Francisco (250+), it’s a bargain. The lack of state income tax is a major financial boost.

Q: How are the schools for my kids?
A: Top-tier. Flower Mound is primarily served by Lewisville Independent School District (Lewisville ISD) and Carroll ISD (in the south), both of which are consistently ranked among the best in Texas. This is a huge draw for families.