Software Developers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$105,060
- 25th Percentile — Junior$136,990
- 50th Percentile — Median$174,410
- 75th Percentile — Senior$216,670
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$272,670
Half of Software Developers in California earn more than $174,410. The top 10% make $272,670 or more, while entry-level workers start around $105,060.
Software Developers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 50 states for Software Developers pay, at $186,770 per year (26.1% above the U.S. average of $148,100).
- 284,390 people work as Software Developers in California — 16.8% of all U.S. Software Developers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.44: Software Developers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $105,060; the top 10% earn over $272,670.
- Hourly equivalent: $89.79 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among technology jobs in California, Computer and Information Research Scientists pays the most ($168,580).
Software Developers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Software Developers here earn $186,770 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $186,770 is roughly equivalent to $131,528 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($171,040), New York ($163,820), Massachusetts ($161,730) are the closest alternatives for Software Developers 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
- Computer and Information Research Scientists $168,580/yr California 9.7% vs this role
- Computer Network Architects $161,350/yr California 13.6% vs this role
- Data Scientists $156,000/yr California 16.5% vs this role
- Information Security Analysts $149,090/yr California 20.2% vs this role
- Web and Digital Interface Designers $146,210/yr California 21.7% vs this role
- Statisticians $140,780/yr California 24.6% vs this role
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts $131,260/yr California 29.7% vs this role
- Computer Systems Analysts $130,480/yr California 30.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Software Developers salary in California?
The average Software Developers salary in California is $186,770 per year (median $174,410), which is 26.1% above the national average of $148,100.
How does California rank for Software Developers pay?
California ranks 1st out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is California ($186,770/yr).
How much do entry-level Software Developers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Software Developers in California earn about $105,060 per year and the 25th percentile is $136,990.
How much do Software Developers make per hour in California?
About $89.79 per hour, based on the $186,770 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Software Developers work in California?
BLS counts 284,390 Software Developers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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