Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Backend Applications Developer I in California is $90,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.
However, a Backend Applications Developer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered Talent
Backend Applications Developer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $97,600 | $8,133 | $1,877 | $47 |
| Average | $90,500 | $7,542 | $1,740 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,500 | $7,125 | $1,644 | $41 |
Yeah! Global - San Francisco, CA
Turnblock.io - Mountain View, CA
Eliassen Group - Anaheim, CA
cFive Solutions, Inc - Anaheim, CA
A Backend Applications Developer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Backend Applications Developer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Backend Applications Developer I | 0-2 years | $90,417 |
| Backend Applications Developer II | 2-4 years | $115,578 |
| Backend Applications Developer III | 4-7 years | $138,015 |
| Backend Applications Developer IV | 7+ years | $160,394 |
| Backend Applications Developer V | 7-10 years | $166,567 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Backend Applications Developer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Backend Applications Developer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $101,310. While startup companies pay approximate $85,705.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $85,705 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $90,644 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $97,832 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $101,310 |
For Backend Applications Developer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Backend Applications Developer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Backend Applications Developer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $113,125 | $54.0 | 25% |
| Software & Networking | $112,220 | $54.0 | 24% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $110,410 | $53.0 | 22% |
| Internet | $106,790 | $51.0 | 18% |
| Biotechnology | $104,075 | $50.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Backend Applications Developer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $97,600 | $8,133 | $1,877 | $47 |
| Average | $90,500 | $7,542 | $1,740 | $44 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,500 | $7,125 | $1,644 | $41 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Backend Applications Developer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Application Programmer Analyst II | $105,100 | 16% |
| Software Research and Design Architect II | $104,200 | 15% |
| Backend Applications Developer II | $115,600 | 28% |
| Full Stack Engineer Intermediate | $116,700 | 29% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Backend Applications Developer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
TD Thornton
San Ramon, CA
TD Thornton | San Ramon, CA
Job Description. Job Description. TD Thornton. TD Thornton is a premier consulting firm specializing in project management and project controls solutions. ... more
7 Days Ago
SynergisticIT
Fremont, CA
SynergisticIT | Fremont, CA
Launch Your Tech Career with ConfidenceSynergisticIT Is Your Next Best MoveAre you eager to start a thriving career in tech but unsure how to bridge the ga... more
3 Days Ago
InterSources
Pleasanton, CA
InterSources | Pleasanton, CA
Java Backend With AWS UsaPleasanton, CAQualifications:5years of solid programming experience building distributed systems using core java technologies.2yea... more
3 Days Ago
SynergisticIT
Riverside, CA
SynergisticIT | Riverside, CA
Synergisticit Job OpportunityAt SynergisticIT, we aim to bring aboard IT professionals to help them build a rewarding career in cutting-edge technologies. ... more
3 Days Ago
Teal Media
Los Angeles, CA
Teal Media | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Who We Are. Teal Media is a full-service creative and design agency with a conscience. We believe purposeful design can t... more
6 Days Ago
ALSO
Palo Alto, CA
ALSO | Palo Alto, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About ALSO. We’re ALSO, an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We’re a passionate team of... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
