California pays software developers more than any other state — its $170,910 median leads all 51 states and D.C. reporting wage data.
Software Developers are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.51 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.51× the national share.
California employs roughly 17.7% of all software developers in the country (292,630 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $103,950 | $49.98 |
| 25th percentile | $134,820 | $64.82 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $170,910 | $82.17 |
| 75th percentile | $212,280 | $102.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (average) | $185,750 | $89.30 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $170,910 | n/a |
| Washington | $166,910 | -2% |
| New York | $161,260 | -6% |
| Massachusetts | $150,520 | -12% |
| Maryland | $137,890 | -19% |
| District of Columbia | $136,040 | -20% |
| Oregon | $135,260 | -21% |
| Delaware | $135,160 | -21% |
| Colorado | $134,540 | -21% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $170,740 | 103,510 |
| Human Resources Managers | $169,140 | 27,680 |
| Financial Managers | $174,920 | 96,860 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $166,610 | 20,980 |
| Pharmacists | $165,150 | 34,490 |
| Marketing Managers | $178,160 | 56,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Software Developers salary in California?
The mean software developers salary in California is $185,750 per year. The median (middle) salary is $170,910 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Software Developers in California?
Entry-level software developerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $103,950 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $134,820 per year.
What is the highest Software Developers salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately N/A per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $212,280 per year.
How does the California Software Developers salary compare to the national average?
The median software developers salary in California is $170,910, which is +28% above national average of $133,080.