Starting range
Average salary
Top earners
about 9% below U.S. average
Compare to Nearby Cities
| City | Average Salary | Cost of Living Index | Real Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | $100,000 | 98 | $102,041 |
| Atlanta, GA | $105,000 | 105 | $100,000 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $95,000 | 94 | $101,064 |
Local Market Outlook
Demand Level
steady hiring with periodic spikes tied to port/logistics projects and regional modernization; selective remote hiring allows competition from larger markets
Top Employers
Key Industries
How Savannah's cost of living affects a .NET developer's purchasing power
Savannah's cost-of-living index (~91) gives . NET developers modestly better purchasing power than many U.
S. coastal tech hubs.
For example, a mid-level . NET developer earning about $85K in Savannah sees lower housing pressure versus Atlanta or Charleston: median single-family home prices hover near $260K and a one-bedroom rental commonly runs $1,000–$1,400/month depending on historic district vs.
suburban areas. Commute costs are moderate — typical drive times are 15–30 minutes and weekly fuel costs average $30–$50 depending on mileage; parking is typically inexpensive or employer-provided for many port or campus employers.
Lifestyle affordability: dining, groceries, and entertainment are below national metro averages, so discretionary spending (saving, childcare, travel) stretches further. However, specialized goods and niche tech meetups can be more limited locally, occasionally necessitating travel to Savannah’s larger neighbors.
Overall, a nominal salary equal to the U. S.
median yields slightly higher tangible disposable income in Savannah once housing is taken into account.
Why .NET salaries in Savannah sit where they do
Salaries for . NET developers in Savannah are shaped by the local industry mix: aerospace (Gulfstream) and port/logistics (Georgia Ports Authority and port-dependent shippers) create demand for internal enterprise systems, integration work, and automation focused on Microsoft stacks and .
NET Core services. Higher-education institutions like SCAD and regional health systems hire for custom applications and web platforms, adding steady, mid-market demand.
Compared to large tech hubs, Savannah has fewer VC-backed startups and fewer large software firms, which limits the top-end salary pressure; however, manufacturing modernization and logistics tech investments (TMS/WMS integrations, API work for shipping partners) periodically raise budgets for senior engineering talent. Regional banks and fintech shops offer additional roles for .
NET developers focused on backend systems and compliance tooling. The result: moderate but steady demand where skill depth, domain experience (logistics/healthcare), and cloud/.
NET Core expertise command premium pay.
Comparing Savannah to nearby cities and remote work considerations
Charleston and Atlanta pay higher average salaries (Charleston ~$100K; Atlanta ~$105K) but have higher COL indices (Charleston ~98, Atlanta ~105). Jacksonville sits closer to Savannah (salary ~95K, COL ~94).
If you prioritize higher nominal pay and broader tech hiring markets, commuting or relocating to Atlanta or Charleston can net $10K–$15K more annually, but higher housing and commute costs often offset much of that gain. For developers tied to Savannah employers (port/aerospace/education), remote work options are increasing—many regional companies now allow hybrid or fully remote for senior roles, which can attract remote offers from higher-paying metros while allowing you to keep Savannah’s lower living costs.
Practical rule: if a remote role pays 10–15% more than local offers, it is often worth accepting while staying in Savannah; if it requires relocating, run a COL and tax comparison before deciding.
Typical career growth for a .NET developer in Savannah
Progression in Savannah follows a pragmatic path: entry-level . NET developers (0–2 years) typically start at $55K–$65K working on maintenance and internal apps for education, healthcare, or smaller consulting firms.
After 3–5 years (mid level), developers who expand into cloud-native . NET Core, Azure services, CI/CD, and APIs commonly move into $80K–$95K roles or senior developer positions within product teams.
Reaching the senior tier (8+ years) — particularly with architecture, team lead, or domain expertise in logistics/port systems — can push compensation toward $100K–$120K, especially at large employers like Gulfstream or enterprise logistics vendors. Accelerators: obtaining Microsoft certifications (Azure Developer/Architect), demonstrable microservices and cloud migration experience, and domain experience (TMS/WMS, port operations) shorten timelines and unlock higher pay.
Nonlinear moves—joining a remote-first company or relocating to Charleston/Atlanta—can also accelerate salary growth.
Negotiation tips tailored to .NET roles in Savannah
When negotiating as a . NET developer in Savannah, be specific about your value relative to local market drivers: emphasize Azure/.
NET Core experience, integration work with logistics or manufacturing systems, and demonstrated delivery on automation projects. Reasonable salary expectations: entry $60K–$68K, mid $78K–$95K, senior $95K–$120K.
If the employer is a local public institution or university with constrained pay bands, negotiate for extra PTO, flexible/hybrid work, professional development budgets, or a signing bonus. For port/manufacturing employers, highlight domain knowledge (EDI, TMS, WMS) to command a premium.
Remote offers from higher-cost cities may be tax-advantaged if you remain in Georgia; clarify who covers relocation costs, and ask for periodic salary reviews tied to cloud/microservices certifications. Cultural tip: Savannah employers value long-term fit and community ties—show commitment to local project continuity and cross-functional collaboration to strengthen your bargaining position.
Related Tools
Sources & Methodology
How We Calculate Salary Data
Location-specific salary data is compiled from government statistics (BLS), employer-reported data, and verified employee submissions. Cost of living adjustments use COLI data from the Council for Community and Economic Research. All figures are cross-referenced across multiple sources and updated quarterly to reflect current market conditions.
Data last verified: January 2026
Data Sources
Official government occupational employment and wage statistics
Self-reported salary data from employees by location
Job posting salary data aggregated by metro area
Council for Community and Economic Research cost of living data
Regional compensation data and cost-of-living adjustments