In most industries, expect to get less than the software industry as a software engineer. Software is just a lot more important to, say, Microsoft's business t

In most industries, expect to get less than the software industry as a software engineer. Software is just a lot more important to, say, Microsoft's business than it is at BOC Gases, and they pay proportionately well. However, that's not necessarily true in every industry, and some industries can pay a premium just because they have good profits and want the best engineers. I wouldn't be surprised if banks paid better on average than the software industry.