verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Software Developer Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$174,410/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$83.85/hr
▲ 28% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
284,390
public U.S. Median
$135,980
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$157,523 #1 of 50

Software Developer pay in California, explained

Software developers in California earn a median of $174,410 per year ($83.85 per hour), which is 28% above the national median of $135,980. Entry-level workers earn around $105,060, while the most experienced software developers reach about $272,670. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $174,410 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $174,410 is worth about $157,523 in national buying power — ranking California #1 for real pay (vs #1 on the sticker number).

See the full Software Developer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Software Developer pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$105,060
$50.51/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$174,410
$83.85/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$272,670
$131.09/hr

Software Developer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $174,410 $157,523
Oregon $142,720 $138,079 +$31,690
Arizona $129,690 $128,818 +$44,720
Nevada $128,810 $128,837 +$45,600

Software Developer in California: FAQ

How much do software developers make in California?

Software developers in California earn a median of $174,410 per year ($83.85 per hour), compared with $135,980 nationally.

Does California pay software developers well?

At $174,410, California pays 28% above the national median for software developers. An estimated 284,390 work in the state.

Software Developer salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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