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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Junior Software Engineer in California is $88,750 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, a Junior Software Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Junior Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $95,481 | $7,957 | $1,836 | $46 |
| Average | $88,750 | $7,396 | $1,707 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,458 | $6,788 | $1,567 | $39 |
Keylent Inc - Fremont, CA
Bertrandt - San Jose, CA
AC Support Services, LLC - Mountain View, CA
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co - San Francisco, CA
A Junior Software Engineer'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 Junior Software Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Junior So... Level Junior Software Engineer | $88,255 |
| Software ... Level Junior Software Engineer | $113,578 |
| Software ... Level Junior Software Engineer | $139,090 |
| Software ... Level Junior Software Engineer | $160,918 |
| Software ... Level Junior Software Engineer | $184,993 |
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 Junior Software Engineers. 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:
For Junior Software Engineer 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 Biotechnology and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Junior Software Engineer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Junior Software Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $110,938 | $53.0 | 25% |
| Insurance | $106,500 | $51.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $102,063 | $49.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $102,063 | $49.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $97,625 | $47.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Junior Software Engineer'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 | $95,481 | $7,957 | $1,836 | $46 |
| Average | $88,750 | $7,396 | $1,707 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,458 | $6,788 | $1,567 | $39 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Junior Software Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Clerky
Burlingame, CA
Clerky | Burlingame, CA
Company Description Help fix the legal industry. The way legal transactions are done is filled with inefficiencies, which leads to ridiculously high legal ... more
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Clearstory
Walnut Creek, CA
Clearstory | Walnut Creek, CA
Clearstory is hiring a Software Engineer to join our Support Engineering team.This role sits at the intersection of software engineering, customer success,... more
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Epic Kids Inc.
San Jose, CA
Epic Kids Inc. | San Jose, CA
About Us Epic Kids is the leading digital reading platform built for kids 12 and under, trusted by millions of children, educators, and families around the... more
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Perfict Global, Inc.
Fremont, CA
Perfict Global, Inc. | Fremont, CA
Software Engineer - Factory SoftwareExperience:8+yrs Visa:GC, GCEAD, H4EAD, USC, TN Client:Tesla Tax Term:W2Duties/Day to Day Overview Responsibilities (Wh... more
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TruNorth LTD
San Francisco, CA
TruNorth LTD | San Francisco, CA
🚀 Software Engineer | AI Agents | San Francisco. $180k–$250k base + equity. I’m working with a client, an early-stage AI company building the platform tha... more
3 Days Ago
Kasmo Global
Walnut Creek, CA
Kasmo Global | Walnut Creek, CA
Software Engineer HYBRIDSacramento, CA OR Walnut Creek, CA (local candidate) In person interview is thereRate:$52Exp 6EXPERIENCEA minimum of 5 years of pro... more
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