Linux Kernel Developer Salary in Berkeley, CA

How much does a Linux Kernel Developer make in Berkeley, CA?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Linux Kernel Developer in Berkeley, CA is $101,091 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

However, a Linux Kernel Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,185
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $95,030 to $104,804
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,512
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View as table View as graph 25% $95,030 10% $89,512 90% $108,185 75% $104,804 $101,091 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Linux Kernel Developer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $104,804 $8,734 $2,015 $50
Average $101,091 $8,424 $1,944 $49
25th Percentile $95,030 $7,919 $1,827 $46
Check out Linux Kernel Developer Job Openings in Berkeley, CA
Linux Kernel Engineer

Canonical - Sacramento, CA

Linux Kernel Engineer

Canonical - Sacramento, CA

Linux Kernel Engineer

Canonical - San Jose, CA

Linux Kernel Engineer

Canonical - Los Angeles, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Linux Kernel Developer Salaries

A Linux Kernel Developer'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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Linux Kernel Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Linux Kernel Developer'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $71,142
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $83,087
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $102,353
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $124,279
  • Expert (over 8 years): $114,365
Levels Salary
Loan Unde... Level Linux Kernel Developer$71,142
Loan Unde... Level Linux Kernel Developer$83,087
Linux Ker... Level Linux Kernel Developer$102,353
Loan Unde... Level Linux Kernel Developer$124,279
Loan Unde... Level Linux Kernel Developer$114,365
$71,142 0 yr
$83,087 < 2 yrs
$102,353 2-4 yrs
$124,279 5-8 yrs
$114,365 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Linux Kernel Developers

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:

  • San Jose: $104,410
  • San Francisco: $103,384
  • Oakland: $101,091

What Skills Can Increase a Linux Kernel Developer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 19.03% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Commercial Loans (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): A commercial loan is a debt-based funding arrangement between a business and a financial institution such as a bank. It is typically used to fund major capital expenditures and/or cover operational costs that the company may otherwise be unable to afford.
  • Loan Review (Mentioned in 1.15% Job Postings): Loan review is a process routinely used by banks to assess the current value of loan portfolios. Provisioning is a technique to translate loan review results into the balance sheet.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 19.03%
Commercial Loans 2.22%
Loan Review 1.15%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Linux Kernel Developer's salary.
  • Analytical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Financial Services: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Accounting: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analytical Skills
 $118,276
17%
Financial Services
 $118,276
17%
Accounting
 $112,211
11%
Credit Risk
 $112,211
11%
Word Processing
 $111,200
10%
Business Administration
 $111,200
10%
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Linux Kernel Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Linux Kernel Developer'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on March 01, 2026
$95,030
Average $101,091/year
$104,804
$7,919
Average $8,424/month
$8,734
$1,827
Average $1,944/week
$2,015
$46
Average $49/hour
$50
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $104,804 $8,734 $2,015 $50
Average $101,091 $8,424 $1,944 $49
25th Percentile $95,030 $7,919 $1,827 $46

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Cost of Living In Berkeley, CA

Cost of Living in Berkeley, CA is
69.0% Higher
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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.

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