.NET Developer Salary in Dayton: $65,000-$110,000 (2026)

Dayton’s cost of living (index ~83) materially increases what a . NET developer’s paycheck buys compared with larger Ohio metros.

Rent for a typical 1–2 bedroom apartment in central Dayton runs roughly $700–$1,100; suburbs like Beavercreek and Centerville push rents modestly higher but remain far below Columbus/Cincinnati averages. Median single-family home prices near $135k–$160k make homeownership attainable earlier in a career.

Commute costs are lower because congestion is light — average round-trip commutes ~25–30 minutes — which reduces fuel/time costs relative to larger cities. Groceries, utilities and discretionary spending are also below national average; that means a mid-level .

NET developer earning around $80k can maintain a comfortable two-person household, save for retirement, and still afford occasional travel or private childcare. The main caveat: specialty tech amenities, niche developer meetups, and premium remote-work co-working spaces are fewer, so some lifestyle choices common in big tech hubs may require travel or modest compromises.

Dayton’s . NET compensation reflects a mix of stable institutional demand and lower local wage baselines.

Major employers — Wright-Patterson AFB (and its contractors), regional health systems (Premier Health, Kettering), and companies supporting insurance/benefits tech like CareSource — sustain steady demand for C#, ASP. NET, .

NET Core and API/integration work. Many roles are maintenance, integration with EHRs or work on regulated systems (security/compliance), which requires domain knowledge but not the same premium as high-growth consumer SaaS.

Manufacturing and defense digitalization projects provide contract-funded bursts of hiring tied to awarded programs. The region has fewer VC-backed startups and less competition for engineering talent than Columbus or Cincinnati, which suppresses top-end salaries but provides stable long-term employment.

Overall, employers balance lower base salaries with steady benefits and a willingness to hire developers who can quickly support regulated enterprise systems.

Cincinnati, Columbus and Indianapolis offer higher median . NET salaries (roughly $92k–$98k) but also higher COL, particularly in central neighborhoods.

A developer weighing commute vs relocation should consider: daily commute from Dayton to Cincinnati (≈50–70 miles) is generally impractical long-term; however, occasional commutes for interviews or hybrid weeks are viable. Relocating to Columbus often yields $10k–15k more in base pay but comes with higher rent and longer commutes depending on neighborhood.

Indianapolis is closer in COL and salary and can be an easier relocation target. Remote work changes the calculus: many regional healthcare and insurance employers allow hybrid setups; national SaaS employers hiring fully remote may pay higher national market rates, making remote roles attractive for Dayton-based developers seeking top-end compensation without relocating.

Hybrid roles with occasional on-site days at Wright-Patterson or hospital campuses remain common.

Entry-level (0–2 years): You’ll often join as a junior . NET developer supporting legacy ASP.

NET MVC apps, internal tools, or EHR integrations; expected learning curve is fast on enterprise patterns and compliance. Timeline to mid-level: 2–4 years if you demonstrate ownership, deliver modules, and gain domain knowledge (healthcare workflows or defense contracting).

Mid-level (3–7 years): responsibilities shift toward designing APIs, leading small feature teams, and mentoring juniors; salaries move toward the local median. Accelerators include certifications (Azure, Microsoft Certified: .

NET), full-stack skills (Blazor, React + . NET backends), and security/compliance experience.

Senior (8+ years): becomes systems architect, tech lead, or engineering manager — often working on cross-system integrations or contract proposals; promotion can be quicker for those with project leadership on federally funded programs. Contracting/consulting is a parallel path; experienced .

NET contractors working through defense or healthcare contracts can command premium day rates during project peaks.

When negotiating in Dayton, anchor offers to local ranges: reasonable base expectations are $55k–$70k for entry, $75k–$90k for mid-level, and $95k–$115k for senior roles. Emphasize domain experience (EHR integrations, FISMA/DoD compliance, Azure services) to justify moves toward the top of ranges.

If base salary flexibility is limited, negotiate total compensation: additional PTO, flexible/hybrid workdays, training budgets (Azure/. NET certifications), employer-covered certification exam fees, and modest signing bonuses.

For contractors, highlight past contract deliverables and security clearance if applicable — that drives day-rate premiums. Cultural factor: many Dayton employers value local fit and long-term reliability; demonstrating willingness for cross-functional support and continuity (on-call rotations, documentation) can offset a smaller base increase but often secures better non-salary perks.

Always request a written summary of benefits and a timeline for performance reviews that can trigger raises.