Web3 salaries have fallen sharply in 2026, with May marking the lowest average salary recorded in Finbold’s dataset, which tracks figures from December 2021 onward. The decline comes just a year after Web3 salaries peaked at record highs in early 2025.
As the latest Finbold analysis shows, the average Web3 worker in May 2026 earns around $138,000 a year – a steep 75.1% decline from the January 2025 peak of $553,000.
Compared with December 2021, the earliest month in the dataset, when the average stood at around $205,000, May 2026 salaries are down roughly 32.7%.
Web3 salaries decline
Across the full period from December 2021 to May 2026, the average reported annual salary was around $239,000, meaning current salaries are approximately 42% below the period average.
More specifically, the average salary stood at approximately $293,000 in 2022 before declining to about $223,000 in 2023 and further to $206,000 in 2024. Salaries partially rebounded in 2025, with the yearly average climbing to roughly $275,000, supported largely by the January record.
However, as the numbers suggest, that momentum has since reversed. Looking at the year so far, the average salary in 2026 stands at $181,000, with May’s $138,000 reading marking the lowest monthly average in Finbold’s dataset.
Hiring demand has also weakened. New Web3 developer job openings have fallen to a record low, with just 14 roles listed on Web3.career at the time of writing. At the same time, competition remains intense, with 232 applicants per Web3 position.
Who makes the most in Web3?
Among the roles analyzed, CTO positions showed the widest salary range, from $50,000 to $350,000. Lead developer salaries ranged from $80,000 to $247,000, averaging around $151,000 per year.
Regional salary differences are also notable. North American developers recorded the highest average pay at around $143,000 per year, with salaries ranging from $80,000 to $260,000.
Meanwhile, Oceanian developers recorded the lowest average pay, at around $112,000 per year, with salaries ranging from $90,000 to $160,000.
Editor’s note: The “lowest since 2021” wording refers to Finbold’s dataset, which begins in December 2021. May 2026 is the lowest monthly average recorded in that dataset.
Featured image via Shutterstock
