Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $174,410 | $142,991 | +22% |
| Median hourly wage | $83.85 | $68.75 | +22% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $157,552.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $205,019 | $147,250 | $271,250 | 244 |
| Oakland | $185,178 | $133,000 | $245,000 | 196 |
| Los Angeles | $169,306 | $121,600 | $224,000 | 173 |
| Long Beach | $158,724 | $114,000 | $210,000 | 153 |
| San Diego | $156,079 | $112,100 | $206,500 | 161 |
| Sacramento | $142,852 | $102,600 | $189,000 | 130 |
| Fresno | $125,657 | $90,250 | $166,250 | 105 |
The median annual salary for a Software Engineer in California is $174,410, or about $83.85 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Software Engineers is $142,991. California is +22% above the national median.
Entry-level software engineers in California typically earn from $147,250 depending on the city and employer.
With 284,390 software engineer jobs on record and a median salary of $174,410, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.