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Software Developer Salary in California
In May 2024, software developers in California earned a median annual wage of $170,910 ($82.17 an hour) and a mean annual wage of $185,750, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey. BLS counted 292,630 software developers working in California — about 17.7% of the 1,654,440 such jobs in the United States. This page breaks down how that pay compares with the national figures for the occupation, where California ranks among all states, and how pay is spread from entry-level to top earners inside the state. For wider context, the U.S. all-occupation median wage in the same survey was $23.80 an hour; the California page linked below puts this occupation alongside every other job BLS publishes for the state.
How California ranks for software developer pay
Among the 51 states and areas where BLS publishes a median for this occupation, California ranks #1 for software developer pay. The California median of $170,910 is 28.4% higher than the national median of $133,080, and the state mean of $185,750 compares with a national mean of $144,570 (28.5% higher). The highest-paying state, California, posts a median of $170,910, so California sits $0 behind the top of the market. For a software developer weighing a move, that gap has to be set against California's housing and living costs, which this wage survey does not measure.
The pay spread inside California
Not every software developer in California earns the median. The lowest-paid 10% earned $103,950 or less in May 2024, and the bottom quarter earned $134,820 or less. At the top of the distribution, the highest-paid quarter earned at least $212,280 and the top 10% earned at least $239,200+. Experience, employer type, shift and overtime patterns, and metro-versus-rural location all push individual pay toward one end of that range. Statewide, the occupation is also a meaningful part of the California job market: by employment it ranks #8 among the occupations BLS publishes for the state — see the full California salary page for the state's complete tables.
Software Developer pay in California at a glance
| Measure | California | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $170,910 | $133,080 |
| Mean annual wage | $185,750 | $144,570 |
| Median hourly wage | $82.17 | $63.98 |
| 10th percentile | $103,950 | $79,850 |
| 25th percentile | $134,820 | $103,050 |
| 75th percentile | $212,280 | $169,000 |
| 90th percentile | $239,200+ | $211,450 |
| Employment | 292,630 | 1,654,440 |
For the full state-by-state picture of this occupation, see the Software Developers salary by state page. For every occupation's pay in this state, see average salary in California.
Compare other states
- Software Developer salary in New York
- Software Developer salary in Texas
- Software Developer salary in Washington
Software Developer in California FAQ
How much do software developers make in California?
The median wage for software developers in California was $170,910 a year ($82.17 an hour) in May 2024, and the mean was $185,750, across 292,630 jobs.
Is California a good-paying state for software developers?
California ranks #1 of 51 published states and areas for software developer median pay. Its median of $170,910 is 28.4% higher than the national median of $133,080.
How many software developers work in California?
BLS estimated 292,630 software developers jobs in California in May 2024 — about 17.7% of the 1,654,440 such jobs nationwide.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 — bls.gov/oes. Figures checked October 2026.