A Local's Guide to Software Development in Spokane, WA

Hey there. If you're a software developer eyeing Spokane, you're probably wondering if the "Inland Empire" can match the tech buzz of Seattle or the Bay Area. The short answer: it's different, but in a lot of ways, better. I've been in the tech scene here for over a decade, watching it evolve from a quiet corner of the Pacific Northwest into a legitimate, if understated, tech hub. This isn't a city that shouts about its tech scene; it whispers. And for the right person, that whisper is a compelling call.

This guide cuts through the fluff. We'll look at the numbers, the neighborhoods, the employers, and the real cost of living. We'll talk about what it takes to get a job here, what you'll make, and what your life will look like. Let's get to it.

The Salary Picture: Where Spokane Stands

First, the good news. Spokane's tech salaries are not just competitive; they’re surprisingly robust, especially when you factor in the cost of living. The median salary for a software developer in Spokane is $127,641/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.37/hour. This is notably higher than the national average for the profession, which sits at $127,260/year. It’s a small but meaningful margin that signals Spokane values its tech talent.

The job market is healthy, too. The Spokane metro area contains approximately 1,376 software developer positions. While that's not a Silicon Valley number, it's a solid base for a city of 229,451. Over the last decade, the industry has seen a 17% growth rate, a figure that outpaces many traditional local industries and points to a sustainable future.

To break it down further, here’s a realistic look at salary progression based on experience. These are estimates based on local job postings and industry surveys, reflecting the Spokane market.

Experience Level	Typical Years	Salary Range (Annual)	Key Local Employers
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$85,000 - $105,000	Startups, Avista, Itron
Mid-Level	3-6 years	$110,000 - $145,000	Kaiser, Clearwater, Local Gov
Senior-Level	7-10 years	$140,000 - $175,000	AWS, Intel, Providence
Expert/Lead	10+ years	$165,000+	AWS, Intel, C-Suite roles

Insider Tip: The jump from mid to senior level is where you see the biggest local bump. Companies like AWS and Intel are aggressively competing for top-tier talent, which pulls the entire market upward. Don't undervalue yourself if you have specialized skills in cloud architecture or data engineering.

How It Compares to Other WA Cities

Spokane isn't trying to be Seattle, and that's its strength. While Seattle's median salary for developers might be closer to $150,000+, the cost of living, particularly housing, is exponentially higher. Tacoma and Bellingham are closer peers. Tacoma's salaries are slightly higher on average, but so is its cost of living. Bellingham's tech scene is smaller but vibrant. Spokane offers the best balance of salary-to-cost-of-living, especially if you value outdoor access over urban density.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get practical. A $127,641 salary sounds great, but what does it actually mean for your monthly budget? We'll use the median salary and the average 1BR rent of $1,012/month. Assume you're a single filer, taking the standard deduction, and paying for Washington's 7% state sales tax (no state income tax is a huge plus). Federal taxes are estimated.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Software Developer ($127,641/year):

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$10,637	Before any deductions
Federal Taxes (est.)	-$2,800	Varies by deductions, 401k, etc.
Social Security/Medicare	-$813	Standard 7.65% deduction
Net Monthly Take-Home	~$7,024	Post-tax cash flow
Rent (1BR Average)	-$1,012	Utilities often included in older buildings
Utilities (Avg.)	-$200	Internet, power, gas, waste
Groceries	-$450	Based on USDA low-cost plan for one
Car/Transport	-$400	Gas, insurance, maintenance. Public transit is limited.
Health Insurance	-$300	Employer-subsidized (common in tech)
Misc/Leisure	-$1,000	Dining out, hobbies, savings buffer
Remaining (Savings/Invest)	~$3,662	A very healthy number

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, absolutely. With a net take-home of over $7,000 and a strong savings rate, homeownership is very attainable. The median home price in Spokane is roughly $375,000 (as of late 2023). A 20% down payment is $75,000. With the savings potential from the budget above, a disciplined developer could save for a down payment in 2-3 years. A monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would likely be in the $1,800-$2,200 range, which is manageable on this salary.

Where the Jobs Are: Spokane's Major Employers

Spokane's tech scene isn't dominated by a single giant. It's a mix of local headquarters, regional outposts, and a growing startup ecosystem. Here are the key players:

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS): The biggest name in local tech. AWS has a significant operations and engineering presence in Spokane, primarily in the West Plains area. They hire for cloud support, data center operations, and software engineering roles. Hiring is steady but competitive; they value technical depth and system knowledge.
2. Intel Corporation: Just north in the city of Liberty Lake, Intel's campus is a major employer for software engineers in semiconductor manufacturing and design. It's a more traditional corporate environment with excellent benefits and stability.
3. Itron: A global leader in smart utility networks (think smart meters), headquartered in Liberty Lake. They hire a ton of software developers for their IoT platforms, data analytics, and embedded systems. It's a fantastic place to work if you're interested in energy and water tech.
4. Kaiser Permanente: Their Spokane medical center and regional office hire a large number of clinical application developers, data analysts, and systems engineers to support their healthcare IT infrastructure.
5. Avista Utilities: The local energy company has a growing digital transformation team. They're hiring developers for customer portals, grid management software, and internal business applications.
6. Clearwater Paper: A major regional employer in Lewiston, ID (about an hour drive), but many Spokane developers commute. They need developers for their manufacturing and supply chain systems.
7. Spokane's Local Government & Hospitals: The City of Spokane, Spokane County, and major hospital systems (Providence, MultiCare) are constantly modernizing their IT. These roles offer stability and a public service mission, though often at slightly lower salaries than the private sector.

Hiring Trends: Remote work is common here, but hybrid models are the norm for local companies. The demand is strongest for full-stack developers (especially with React/Node.js/Python stacks), cloud engineers (AWS, Azure), and data engineers. Entry-level roles are competitive; internships are the best pathway in.

Getting Licensed in WA

One of the best things about software development is that there's no state-specific license required to practice, unlike fields like nursing or law. You don't need a state board certification to write code in Washington.

However, there are important professional and legal considerations:

• Professional Engineer (PE) License: This is not required for most software developers. It's typically for civil, mechanical, or electrical engineers working on public safety projects. In software, it's extremely rare unless you're working on safety-critical systems (e.g., aviation, medical devices) and your employer mandates it.
• Business Licensing: If you plan to freelance or start your own LLC, you'll need a business license from the City of Spokane (or your municipality) and a state business license from the Washington Secretary of State. This is a straightforward online process with fees typically under $200 to start.
• Timeline & Cost: For a standard employment role, there is no timeline. You can start applying immediately. For freelancing, the licensing process takes a few days to a few weeks and costs a few hundred dollars in fees.

Insider Tip: While not a license, joining the Inland Northwest Technology Professionals (INTP) group is a great way to get connected. It's the largest local professional organization for tech workers.

Best Neighborhoods for Software Developers

Where you live in Spokane dramatically impacts your commute, lifestyle, and budget. The city is divided by the Spokane River, and the tech employers are spread out.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent (1BR)	Best For
Downtown / South Perry	Urban, walkable, young professional scene. Close to startups and city offices. 5-15 min commute to most downtown employers.	$1,100 - $1,400	Social developers who want a vibrant, car-optional lifestyle.
Kendall Yards	Modern, planned community on the north shore. New apartments, great views of the river. Close to downtown and Avista HQ. 10-15 min commute.	$1,300 - $1,600	Those seeking a sleek, modern environment with easy access to trails and downtown.
Liberty Lake	Suburban, family-friendly, and clean. Home to Intel and Itron. Excellent schools, safe, but more car-dependent. 15-25 min commute to Spokane.	$1,200 - $1,450	Developers working at Intel or Itron, or those with families prioritizing schools and space.
North Spokane (Five Mile / Indian Trail)	Quiet, established neighborhoods with mid-century homes. More affordable. Commute to downtown or AWS is ~20-30 mins.	$950 - $1,150	Budget-conscious developers who want a quiet residential feel with easy highway access.
South Hill	Established, scenic, and popular. Mix of older homes and new apartments. Commute to downtown is 15-20 mins, but can be longer in rush hour.	$1,000 - $1,300	Those who want a classic Spokane neighborhood feel with parks and established communities.

Commute Reality Check: Traffic in Spokane is minimal compared to major metros. A 20-minute commute is considered long. However, the city is spread out, and public transit (Spokane Transit Authority) is limited. A car is almost a necessity for most residents.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Spokane's tech career growth is solid, though different from a mega-hub. You won't find the same density of startups, but you have stability and room to specialize.

• Specialty Premiums: The highest premiums in Spokane are for Cloud Architects (AWS/Azure), DevOps Engineers, and Cybersecurity specialists. These roles can command $160,000+. Data Scientists are also in high demand as local industries (agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare) look to leverage data.
• Advancement Paths: The path is often vertical within a company. Moving from a developer to a team lead or principal engineer at a place like AWS or Intel is the most common and lucrative route. Another path is horizontal movement between the major employers (e.g., from Itron to Avista) to gain breadth. Starting or joining a local startup is a higher-risk, higher-reward path.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 17% growth rate is expected to continue, driven by continued remote work adoption (allowing Spokane to attract companies) and the expansion of existing employers like AWS and Intel. The city is actively investing in tech incubators and attracting venture capital. The outlook is strong for developers who are adaptable and keep their skills current, particularly in AI/ML integration and cloud-native development.

The Verdict: Is Spokane Right for You?

Spokane is a city of trade-offs. It offers an incredible quality of life for tech workers who value affordability, outdoor access, and a less hectic pace. It's not for everyone.

Pros & Cons for Software Developers:

Pros	Cons
Excellent Salary-to-Cost Ratio – Your paycheck goes much further than in Seattle or SF.	Limited Startup Scene – Fewer VC-backed companies and early-stage opportunities.
Immediate Access to Outdoors – World-class hiking, skiing, and biking are 30 minutes away.	Smaller Talent Pool – Fewer meetups and niche tech communities than in larger cities.
Manageable Commutes – Traffic is minimal, and the city is easy to navigate.	Cultural Amenities – Fewer major concerts, museums, and dining options than a top-tier city.
Growing, Stable Job Market – Anchored by large, stable employers like AWS and Intel.	Seasonal Challenges – Winters are cold, gray, and snowy (though this is a pro for skiers).
No State Income Tax – A significant financial advantage over states like California.	Car Dependency – Public transit is not a reliable primary option for most.

Final Recommendation:
Spokane is an ideal choice for mid-to-senior level developers who are looking to build long-term wealth, buy a home, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle with easy access to nature. It's perfect for those who value stability over the "unicorn" startup chase. For entry-level developers, it can be a great place to start if you're willing to commute to a major employer like AWS or Itron, but you may find fewer entry-level openings. If you crave the constant buzz and networking of a Silicon Valley, you might find Spokane too quiet. But if you're ready to trade that buzz for a higher quality of life and a healthier bank account, Spokane is a hidden gem that's ready to be discovered.

FAQs

1. Is it easy to find a software development job in Spokane without local connections?
Yes, it's very doable. While networking helps, the major employers all have robust careers pages and use national job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Dice. Tailor your resume to the specific stacks mentioned in local job postings (AWS, Java, React). The hiring process is often virtual, so you can secure a job before you move.

2. How does the local tech community feel? Is it collaborative?
The community is collaborative but smaller and more laid-back than in larger cities. There are active groups like Women In Tech Spokane, SpokaneJS, and various Meetup groups. It's easy to get to know people, but you have to be proactive in seeking them out. It's not a scene that happens automatically; you need to engage.

3. What's the weather really like, and how does it affect life?
Spokane has a true four-season climate. Summers are dry, sunny, and beautiful (often 80-90°F). Winters are cold (average high in the 30s) and snowy, with about 45 inches of snow per year. The grey, overcast skies of the Pacific Coast are less common here—Spokane gets more sunshine than Seattle. The snow requires a car with good tires and some winter driving skill, but it's very manageable.

4. Can I live in Spokane and work remotely for a Seattle/SF company?
Absolutely. Many developers do this. Spokane's cost of living makes a Seattle salary go very far. The main challenge is finding housing in the competitive rental market, especially if you're moving from out of state. Ensure you have reliable, high-speed internet (available from Comcast and CenturyLink) as your home office is critical.

5. What's the best way to prepare for a move to Spokane?

1. Secure a job first if possible, using remote interviews.
2. Visit for a week in a season you're unsure about (like winter).
3. Research neighborhoods based on your job location and lifestyle.
4. Join the Spokane subreddit (r/Spokane) and Facebook groups for "Spokane Newcomers" to get unfiltered local advice.
5. Start saving for a security deposit and first month's rent, as the rental market moves fast.

(Sources: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, Spokane Association of Realtors, Washington State Department of Licensing, employer career pages, and local market analysis.)