Reverse Engineer Software Developer information
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$84.43 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$82.36 - $84.72
8% of jobs
$84.72 - $87.08
9% of jobs
$87.08 - $89.44
9% of jobs
The median wage is $90.76 / hr.
$89.44 - $91.81
9% of jobs
$91.81 - $94.17
9% of jobs
$94.17 - $96.53
9% of jobs
$97.12 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$96.53 - $98.89
8% of jobs
$98.89 - $101.25
9% of jobs
$101.25 - $103.61
9% of jobs
How much do reverse engineer software developer jobs pay per hour?
As of Sep 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for reverse engineer software developer in the United States is $91.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84.38 and $98.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
A Reverse Engineer Software Developer analyzes software systems to understand how they work, often by deconstructing binaries or source code. Their work can involve finding vulnerabilities, improving interoperability, or ensuring software compliance and security. They use specialized tools and techniques to dissect software, document findings, and sometimes recreate or patch software components. This role is essential in cybersecurity, software forensics, and legacy system maintenance.
To thrive as a Reverse Engineer Software Developer, you need strong programming skills (commonly in C/C++ and Assembly), deep understanding of operating system internals, and experience with debugging and disassembly techniques. Familiarity with tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, OllyDbg, and certifications like OSCP or GREM are highly valued. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and persistence are crucial soft skills for solving complex problems and uncovering hidden software behaviors. These skills are essential to effectively analyze, understand, and deconstruct software for security analysis, malware research, or interoperability purposes.
Reverse Engineer Software Developers often face challenges such as dealing with software that lacks documentation, encountering obfuscated or optimized code, and working around anti-reverse engineering techniques. These professionals must use specialized tools to analyze binaries and reconstruct source logic, which can be time-consuming and require a strong understanding of assembly language and various architectures. Collaboration with cybersecurity teams and other developers is common to ensure findings are accurately interpreted and integrated into security or development projects.
What are popular job titles related to Reverse Engineer Software Developer jobs?
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