If you’ve spent any time looking at e-commerce tech lately, you’ve probably seen Chewy’s name pop up. They’re basically the Amazon of pet food, and they’ve built a massive engineering team to handle everything from complex supply chain logistics to those personalized pet profiles we all love. But let’s be real: you’re here because you want to know about the chewy software engineer salary and whether the paycheck actually matches the "pet-obsessed" culture.
Honestly, the numbers are pretty solid, but they vary wildly depending on whether you’re sitting in a high-rise in Boston or working remotely from a beach in Florida. It’s not just a base salary game anymore.
The Reality of the Paycheck
Most people think of salary as just the monthly deposit. At Chewy, it's a mix of base pay, a performance bonus, and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). As of early 2026, the average total compensation for a software engineer at Chewy is roughly $195,000. That sounds great on a headline, but the range is massive—anywhere from $135,000 for a fresh grad to over $430,000 for a Principal Engineer.
Breaking Down the Levels
Chewy doesn't just call everyone "engineer." They have a very specific ladder.
- Software Engineer I (Entry Level): This is the starting line. You’re looking at a base of about $112,000 to $120,000, with a total package landing around $138,000. It's a lot of learning and, frankly, a lot of tickets.
- Software Engineer II (SDE 2): This is the "sweet spot" where many mid-level devs land. The total comp jumps to an average of $190,000. You’ll see the RSU portion of your pay start to become a much bigger deal here.
- Software Engineer III / Senior: Now you're getting into the heavy hitters. Total compensation averages $235,000, though some high performers in Seattle or Boston are clearing $260,000 easily.
- Staff and Principal Engineers: These are the architects. A Staff Software Engineer at Chewy can expect around $368,000 annually, while Principal Engineers are often quoted at $417,000+.
It’s worth noting that 200 people were laid off in the last year, which has made the internal culture a bit more focused on "delivering results" rather than just "vibing with dogs in the office."
Location, Location, Location
Where you physically sit matters more than you might think. Chewy has major hubs in Boston, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Bellevue.
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If you're in Boston, you're looking at some of the highest pay in the company. A software engineer there pulls in an average total compensation of $266,000. Compare that to a remote role or a smaller hub, and you might see a 15-20% dip. It’s the classic "cost of living" adjustment that every big tech firm uses, but it still stings if you're trying to move from a high-cost area to a low-cost one while keeping your salary.
The "Golden Handcuffs" (Equity and Vesting)
Chewy loves its RSUs. It’s how they keep talent from jumping ship to a bigger player like Google or Meta.
Typically, your equity grant vests over four years. The most common schedule is the "1-year cliff," where you get 25% of your stock after your first year, and then the rest vests in monthly or quarterly increments. If you leave at month 11, you get zero stock. That’s a tough pill to swallow if the stock price has been climbing.
A recent SEC filing from late 2025 showed the CTO selling shares at around $33.50 to cover taxes. It’s a good reminder that those big "Total Compensation" numbers on your offer letter include stock that fluctuates. If Chewy has a bad quarter, your "salary" effectively drops.
Perks Beyond the Paper
Is the culture actually pet-friendly? Yeah, mostly. You get a 20% discount on everything on the site, which is a lifesaver if you have a dog that eats like a horse. They also offer pet adoption reimbursement if you get a pet from a non-profit shelter.
The Standard Stuff
- 401(k) Matching: They do match, but it's subject to its own vesting schedule.
- Unlimited PTO: Like most tech companies, "unlimited" usually means "take what your manager approves," but the general consensus is that they’re pretty flexible.
- Health and Wellness: Full medical, dental, and vision from day one. They even have fertility assistance and adoption support, which is a nice touch for growing families.
How to Actually Get the High End of the Range
Negotiation is a lost art. When you get that initial call, the recruiter is going to ask for your range. Don't give a single number. Say something like, "Based on my research for SDE 2 roles in Boston, I’m looking at a total compensation in the $185k to $210k range, depending on the equity split."
Chewy focuses heavily on behavioral interviews. They use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). If you can’t tell a story about a time you handled a conflict or fixed a massive bug under pressure, the highest salary tier will stay out of reach, no matter how good your LeetCode skills are.
Next Steps for Your Career
If you're serious about landing a role here, your first move should be to audit your LinkedIn. Reach out to current Chewy engineers—especially those in the location you want—and ask for a virtual coffee. Referral candidates almost always get a faster look and often have better leverage in salary talks. Once you get the interview, spend 70% of your time on system design and behavioral prep, and 30% on coding. That’s the secret to hitting the $200k+ mark.