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Software Developers Salary in California
Ranked #1 of 50 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of software developerss in California earn between $105,060 and $272,670. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean software developers salary in California is $186,770, about 26.1% above the U.S. average ($148,100). That works out to roughly $90/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $213,110 | $221,710 | 87,350 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $186,640 | $193,430 | 69,030 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $163,270 | $163,300 | 20,610 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $160,920 | $161,900 | 55,540 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $159,430 | $174,020 | 2,170 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $158,290 | $158,220 | 1,680 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $156,910 | $153,930 | 540 |
| Napa, CA | $153,130 | $154,740 | 130 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software developers make in California?
The median software developers salary in California is $174,410 per year (mean $186,770), and about 80% earn between $105,060 and $272,670.
How much do software developers make per hour in California?
Roughly $90 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $186,770 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for software developers?
California ranks #1 of 50 states for software developers pay. Its mean salary of $186,770 is about 26.1% above the U.S. average of $148,100.
Which metro areas in California pay software developers the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for software developers are San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($213,110), San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($186,640), San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ($163,270), by median annual wage.