Software engineers with AI capabilities can earn between 13 percent and 25 percent more than peers across junior to senior levels, according to the Tech Salary Report 2026 conducted by NodeFlair, a Singapore-based career advancement platform for tech talents.

This marks a shift from 2024, when demand for AI skills did not significantly affect salaries, NodeFlair said in the report. The report analyzed more than 230,000 verified salary data points across roles and markets, with findings indicating that artificial intelligence (AI) skills are now translating into higher pay for software engineers.

The report also pointed out that salary growth is increasingly concentrated among more senior roles. Salaries for senior, lead, and managerial positions rose by 10.8 percent or more, compared with increases of 5.3 percent for junior roles and 1.7 percent for mid-level positions. The data indicated that companies are placing greater emphasis on experienced engineers who can apply AI tools effectively and operate with greater autonomy.

At the higher end of the market, the top 10 percent of engineers recorded salary increases of up to 19 percent, further widening the gap between top earners and the broader workforce.

Ethan Ang, founder of NodeFlair, said AI proficiency has become a differentiating factor in compensation, as engineering teams increasingly integrate AI tools and workflows into software development.

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