California ranks 5th of 51 states and D.C. for computer programmers pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($158,820) by $42,600 — a 37% gap.
California employs roughly 13.4% of all computer programmers in the country (14,720 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $65,510 | $31.49 |
| 25th percentile | $82,030 | $39.44 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $116,220 | $55.87 |
| 75th percentile | $150,970 | $72.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,990 | $85.09 |
| Mean (average) | $120,060 | $57.72 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $116,220 | n/a |
| Washington | $158,820 | +37% |
| Montana | $128,630 | +11% |
| Oregon | $126,980 | +9% |
| Colorado | $124,880 | +7% |
| Massachusetts | $115,200 | -1% |
| Virginia | $111,860 | -4% |
| Wisconsin | $109,580 | -6% |
| Minnesota | $108,450 | -7% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $116,000 | 14,680 |
| Facilities Managers | $115,700 | 18,620 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $115,400 | 65,170 |
| Web Developers | $117,380 | 10,820 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $114,520 | 11,900 |
| School Psychologists | $118,310 | 9,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Computer Programmers salary in California?
The mean computer programmers salary in California is $120,060 per year. The median (middle) salary is $116,220 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Computer Programmers in California?
Entry-level computer programmerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $65,510 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $82,030 per year.
What is the highest Computer Programmers salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $176,990 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $150,970 per year.
How does the California Computer Programmers salary compare to the national average?
The median computer programmers salary in California is $116,220, which is +18% above national average of $98,670.