In the dynamic world of technology, few sectors offer the unique combination of high-impact work and lucrative compensation as healthcare IT. At the forefront of this industry is Epic Systems, a privately-held healthcare software giant. For aspiring and current software engineers, a career at Epic is often a goal, raising a critical question: what salary can a software engineer expect to earn at Epic?
The answer is compelling. A career as a software engineer at Epic offers a highly competitive compensation package, with salaries often starting well into the six-figure range even for entry-level positions and growing substantially with experience. This article provides a data-driven analysis of Epic software engineer salaries, the factors that influence them, and the overall career outlook.
What Does an Epic Software Engineer Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's essential to understand the role. A software engineer at Epic—often referred to as a Software Developer (SD)—is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the complex software that hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals use to manage patient care.
Their work is at the core of the healthcare system, impacting everything from patient records and scheduling to billing and clinical decision-making. Daily responsibilities typically include:
- Writing, testing, and debugging code in languages like C#, M (MUMPS), and TypeScript.
- Developing new features for Epic’s suite of applications, such as the MyChart patient portal or the Hyperspace clinical platform.
- Collaborating with project managers, quality assurance teams, and implementation specialists to deliver robust and reliable software solutions.
- Solving complex technical problems to improve the performance and efficiency of healthcare delivery.
In essence, they build the digital infrastructure that supports modern medicine, a role that demands high-level technical skill and carries significant responsibility.
Average Epic Software Engineer Salary
Salaries at Epic are known for being strong, especially when considering the company's primary location. While exact figures fluctuate, we can establish a reliable baseline using data from authoritative sources.
According to compensation data from Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a Software Engineer at Epic is approximately $139,000 per year in the United States. This figure includes an average base salary of around $124,000 and additional pay, such as cash bonuses, averaging $15,000.
Salary ranges can provide a more detailed picture:
- Entry-Level (Software Developer I): New graduates or those with 0-2 years of experience can expect a starting base salary in the range of $115,000 to $125,000, often accompanied by a significant signing bonus.
- Mid-Level to Senior (Software Developer II and Team Lead): With several years of experience and proven performance, base salaries can climb to $140,000 - $180,000+. Total compensation for senior roles and technical leads can approach or exceed $200,000 when factoring in bonuses and raises.
*(Source: Salary data aggregated from Glassdoor, Payscale, and Levels.fyi, accessed in 2023-2024. Figures are estimates and can change based on individual performance and market conditions.)*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
While the averages provide a great starting point, your specific compensation will depend on several key factors.
### Level of Education
A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical field is the standard entry requirement for a software engineer role at Epic. While having a Master's degree or a Ph.D. can be an asset and may strengthen a candidate's profile, experience and technical skill demonstrated during the interview process are often more significant drivers of the initial salary offer. Unlike academia, in the corporate software world, a higher degree does not automatically guarantee a proportionally higher starting salary.
### Years of Experience
This is arguably the most influential factor in salary determination. Epic has a well-defined career ladder, and compensation grows as you move up.
- Entry-Level (0-2 Years): Candidates are typically hired in as Software Developer I. The focus is on learning Epic’s proprietary technologies and contributing to a team.
- Mid-Career (3-7 Years): After proving their ability, developers are promoted to roles with more responsibility (e.g., Software Developer II). This promotion comes with a significant salary increase, reflecting their increased value and expertise.
- Senior & Lead (7+ Years): The highest earners are senior developers, technical leads, and team leads who oversee projects, mentor junior developers, and tackle the most complex architectural challenges. Their compensation reflects their deep institutional knowledge and leadership skills.
### Geographic Location
This is a unique factor for Epic. Unlike many tech companies with offices in high-cost-of-living hubs like Silicon Valley or New York, Epic's main campus is in Verona, Wisconsin. The company's salary structure is highly competitive nationally, but when placed in the context of Verona's lower cost of living, the effective value of an Epic salary is substantially higher than a similar salary in a more expensive coastal city. This financial advantage is a major draw for many employees. While Epic has expanded its remote work policies for some roles, the core software development culture remains heavily campus-centric, meaning most salary data is pegged to the Verona location.
### Company Type
Comparing Epic's compensation to other types of companies reveals its unique position.
- vs. Big Tech (FAANG): Companies like Google and Meta may offer higher total compensation due to lucrative Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). As a privately-held company, Epic does not offer publicly traded stock. However, it compensates with a very strong base salary, robust bonuses, and excellent benefits, providing more predictable and stable earnings.
- vs. Startups: Startups often offer lower base salaries in exchange for equity (stock options), which is a high-risk, high-reward proposition. Epic provides a much higher, more secure base salary and job stability from day one.
- vs. Non-Tech Industries: Epic's software engineer salaries are significantly higher than those for developers at non-tech companies (e.g., retail, manufacturing), positioning it firmly in the top tier of engineering employers.
### Area of Specialization
Within Epic, certain skills and specializations can enhance earning potential. Developers working on core product lines or in high-demand areas may have an edge. For instance, expertise in mobile development (for apps like Haiku and Canto on iOS/Android), web development (using TypeScript for patient-facing web apps), or deep backend systems (working with Epic's Chronicles database) are all highly valuable. Furthermore, those who move into specialized roles like Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) or technical leadership positions also see their compensation grow.
Job Outlook
The long-term career outlook for software engineers is exceptionally bright. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for software developers is projected to grow 25% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS reported the median pay for software developers in 2022 was $130,160 per year.
This robust growth is amplified in the healthcare IT sector. As the population ages and the demand for efficient, data-driven healthcare increases, the need for sophisticated EHR software will only intensify. This ensures a stable and growing demand for talented engineers at industry-leading companies like Epic.
Conclusion
A career as an Epic software engineer represents a financially rewarding and impactful path in the tech industry. With a starting salary that is competitive with top tech firms and a location that offers a significant cost-of-living advantage, the earning potential is outstanding.
For those considering this career, the key takeaways are:
- Expect High Compensation: Salaries are strong across all levels, starting well over $100,000.
- Experience is King: Your earnings will grow significantly as you gain experience and take on more responsibility within the company.
- Location is a Major Benefit: A top-tier tech salary in Verona, Wisconsin, provides exceptional purchasing power.
- The Future is Bright: The profession is anchored in two high-growth sectors—technology and healthcare—ensuring long-term job security and demand.
For any software engineer passionate about solving complex problems with a direct and positive impact on people's lives, a career at Epic offers a unique opportunity to do just that, all while building a secure and prosperous financial future.