Computer Programmers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$70,310
- 25th Percentile — Junior$83,490
- 50th Percentile — Median$116,760
- 75th Percentile — Senior$148,740
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$172,300
Half of Computer Programmers in California earn more than $116,760. The top 10% make $172,300 or more, while entry-level workers start around $70,310.
Computer Programmers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 5th of 46 states for Computer Programmers pay, at $119,900 per year (14.0% above the U.S. average of $105,170).
- 11,340 people work as Computer Programmers in California — 12.3% of all U.S. Computer Programmers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.05: Computer Programmers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $70,310; the top 10% earn over $172,300.
- Hourly equivalent: $57.64 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $127,520.
- Among technology jobs in California, Software Developers pays the most ($186,770).
Computer Programmers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Computer Programmers here earn $119,900 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $119,900 is roughly equivalent to $84,437 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Massachusetts ($127,520), Washington ($126,540), Virginia ($122,060) are the closest alternatives for Computer Programmers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Technology Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Software Developers $186,770/yr California +55.8% vs this role
- Computer and Information Research Scientists $168,580/yr California +40.6% vs this role
- Computer Network Architects $161,350/yr California +34.6% vs this role
- Data Scientists $156,000/yr California +30.1% vs this role
- Information Security Analysts $149,090/yr California +24.3% vs this role
- Web and Digital Interface Designers $146,210/yr California +21.9% vs this role
- Statisticians $140,780/yr California +17.4% vs this role
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts $131,260/yr California +9.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Computer Programmers salary in California?
The average Computer Programmers salary in California is $119,900 per year (median $116,760), which is 14.0% above the national average of $105,170.
How does California rank for Computer Programmers pay?
California ranks 5th out of 46 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($127,520/yr).
How much do entry-level Computer Programmers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Computer Programmers in California earn about $70,310 per year and the 25th percentile is $83,490.
How much do Computer Programmers make per hour in California?
About $57.64 per hour, based on the $119,900 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Computer Programmers work in California?
BLS counts 11,340 Computer Programmers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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