Software Engineer Salary in California
Based on 80K+ workers in California
Median Annual Salary (CA)
$134,440
$64.63/hr
vs National Average
$106,671
+26.0% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$58K – $223K
80K employed in California
Software Engineer salary in California averages $153,326 per year, reflecting the state's position as a technology hub and innovation center. This median figure is 37% above the national average, demonstrating California's premium compensation landscape. Based on data from 365 workers in this field, salaries typically range up to $165,417, positioning the state among the most lucrative markets for software engineering talent.
Several factors influence software engineer compensation in California, including experience level, specialization, and company size. Tech giants and well-funded startups in Silicon Valley and major metropolitan areas tend to offer higher salaries than smaller firms or less competitive regions within the state. Cost of living, educational background, and specific skill sets in emerging technologies also play significant roles in determining individual earning potential in this market.
Salary Distribution — Software Engineer in California
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,340 |
| 25th percentile | $87,350 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $134,440 |
| 75th percentile | $179,730 |
| 90th percentile | $222,690 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Engineer in California
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in California — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Inc. | 109 | $165,422 |
| 2 | Amazon.com Services LLC | 58 | $134,000 |
| 3 | COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS US CORP | 41 | $118,082 |
| 4 | Salesforce, Inc. | 37 | $161,553 |
| 5 | TT Commerce & Global Services LLC | 29 | $225,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in California
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in California.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $94,171 | 144 |
| Level II | Qualified | $129,792 | 449 |
| Level III | Experienced | $165,422 | 320 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $184,000 | 275 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Engineers in California tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $131,760 | 27K |
| Information | $131,720 | 48K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,070 | 25K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $124,530 | 98K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $121,310 | 124K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Engineer in California vs National
| Year | Median Salary (California) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $111,500 |
| 2023 | $123,570 |
| 2024 | $128,750 |
| 2025 | $134,440 |
| 2026 (projected) | $140,381 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | California Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $111,500 | $89,712 |
| 2023 | $123,570 | $97,924 |
| 2024 | $128,750 | $101,746 |
| 2025 | $134,440 | $106,671 |
| 2026 (projected) | $140,381 | $111,385 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in California
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $87,350 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $134,440 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $179,730 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $222,690 |
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Software Engineer Salaries in California
How other high-demand occupations in California compare to Software Engineer ($134,440 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in CA | $218,290 | +62.4% | $104.95/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in CA | $185,180 | +37.7% | $89.03/hr |
| Data Analyst in CA | $180,500 | +34.3% | $86.78/hr |
| Software Developer in CA | $174,410 | +29.7% | $83.85/hr |
| Database Administrator in CA | $170,160 | +26.6% | $81.81/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in CA | $159,100 | +18.3% | $76.49/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in CA | $158,870 | +18.2% | $76.38/hr |
| Data Scientist in CA | $141,590 | +5.3% | $68.07/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in CA | $138,570 | +3.1% | $66.62/hr |
| Web and Digital Interface Designer in CA | $136,110 | +1.2% | $65.44/hr |
| Statistician in CA | $135,960 | +1.1% | $65.37/hr |
| Multimedia Artist and Animator in CA | $130,540 | -2.9% | $62.76/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software engineers make in California?
- Software engineers in California earn a median salary of $153,326 per year, or $74 per hour. This represents a 36.6% premium over the national average for the role.
What is the salary range for software engineers in California?
- The salary range for software engineers in California extends up to $165,417 annually. This upper range reflects compensation for experienced engineers and those in senior positions.
Is California software engineer salary higher than the national average?
- Yes, California software engineers earn significantly more than the national average, with a median salary that is 36.6% higher. The state's median of $153,326 per year substantially exceeds typical software engineer compensation across the United States.
How many software engineers are employed in California?
- There are approximately 365 software engineers employed in California according to current data. This represents the total employment count for this role in the state.