Double your salary in a single year. Throw in better work-life balance, the ability to choose what projects you work on, and where you work from. Sound to good to be true? Learn how I got started independent consulting. — As a full-time software developer you can make more by contracting. According to GlassDoor, the average software developer salary is $101,611. You may make more, maybe less. In a great year, you may get a raise of 10%, but a 2–3% cost of living increase is more typical.