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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Eng in California is $125,637 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.
However, a Software Eng's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Software Eng Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $131,782 | $10,982 | $2,534 | $63 |
| Average | $125,637 | $10,470 | $2,416 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,890 | $9,241 | $2,133 | $53 |
Vorkis LLC - Los Angeles, CA
4Insite - Sacramento, CA
Bugcrowd - San Francisco, CA
Selector Software - SANTA CLARA, CA
A Software Eng'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 Software Eng'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 |
|---|---|
| Vendor Ma... Level Software Eng | $78,013 |
| Vendor Ma... Level Software Eng | $102,943 |
| Vendor Ma... Level Software Eng | $104,180 |
| Software ... Level Software Eng | $126,661 |
| Vendor Ma... Level Software Eng | $173,999 |
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 Software Engs. 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 Software Eng roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Software Eng positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Eng as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $157,047 | $76.0 | 25% |
| Internet | $150,765 | $72.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $144,483 | $69.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $138,201 | $66.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $138,201 | $66.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Software Eng'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 | $131,782 | $10,982 | $2,534 | $63 |
| Average | $125,637 | $10,470 | $2,416 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,890 | $9,241 | $2,133 | $53 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Eng job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Exquisite Software
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Exquisite Software | SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Job Summary Exquisite Software is looking for an experienced software development engineer. Responsibilities • Write high-quality, efficient, testable code... more
3 Days Ago
Asure Software
AUSTIN, TX
Asure Software | AUSTIN, TX
Who we are Over 600 employees strong, Asure sees Human Capital Management (HCM) through the lens of entrepreneurs and executives with an owner’s mentality.... more
5 Days Ago
Sunbird Software, Inc.
PISCATAWAY, NJ
Sunbird Software, Inc. | PISCATAWAY, NJ
Sunbird Software is looking for a Software Support Engineer to help us maintain our award-winning web-based solutions. Essential duties and responsibilitie... more
3 Days Ago
Redwood Dental
RALEIGH, NC
Redwood Dental | RALEIGH, NC
Required Technical Skills 1-3 years of relevant QA technical experience Contribute as an individual during test design, test planning and test execution Ex... more
2 Days Ago
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
CHARLOTTE, NC
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated | CHARLOTTE, NC
Job brief Quest Diagnostics is looking for a Software Engineer to create well-designed, effective, testable, and specification-compliant code and carry out... more
2 Days Ago
5 Star Recruitment
PHOENIX, AZ
5 Star Recruitment | PHOENIX, AZ
Position Description: ASRS Agile Software Engineers contribute to software development projects designed to improve the capability and efficiency of our bu... more
3 Days Ago
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