As of October 01, 2026, the average annual salary for computer software engineering in California is $153,627, equivalent to $74 per hour, $2,954 weekly, or $12,802 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for computer software engineering in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for computer software engineering in California vary widely, spanning from $130,097 to $178,571. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($141,310) and 75th percentile ($166,683), while top earners (90th percentile) make $178,571 per year. This $25,373 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Software Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, California computer software engineering often earn 10.3% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 38 companies. However, California currently ranks 2 nationwide for computer software engineering job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
computer software engineering Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile computer software engineering Salary $130,097 CA October 01, 2026
25th Percentile computer software engineering Salary $141,310 CA October 01, 2026
50th Percentile computer software engineering Salary $153,627 CA October 01, 2026
75th Percentile computer software engineering Salary $166,683 CA October 01, 2026
90th Percentile computer software engineering Salary $178,571 CA October 01, 2026
25% $141,310 10% $130,097 90% $178,571 75% $166,683 $153,627 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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SME Computer Software Engineer

Prescient Edge - San Diego, CA

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What is A computer software engineering ?

Computer software engineering is a dynamic field that involves the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software applications and systems. Professionals in this role typically possess strong programming skills, a solid understanding of algorithms, and knowledge of software development methodologies. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, create technical specifications, and implement solutions that meet user needs. Salaries for computer software engineers can vary widely based on factors such as experience, education, location, and the specific indus...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

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Location Avg. Salary Date Updated
Location Coachella, CA Avg. Salary $150,976 Date Updated October 01, 2026
Location Acampo, CA Avg. Salary $160,506 Date Updated October 01, 2026
Location Acton, CA Avg. Salary $160,927 Date Updated October 01, 2026
Location Adelanto, CA Avg. Salary $155,847 Date Updated October 01, 2026
Location Adin, CA Avg. Salary $152,267 Date Updated October 01, 2026
Location Agoura Hills, CA Avg. Salary $160,519 Date Updated October 01, 2026
Location Aguanga, CA Avg. Salary $154,573 Date Updated October 01, 2026
Location Ahwahnee, CA Avg. Salary $151,361 Date Updated October 01, 2026
Location Alameda, CA Avg. Salary $182,814 Date Updated October 01, 2026
Location Alamo, CA Avg. Salary $177,777 Date Updated October 01, 2026
Job Openings for computer software engineering in California

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Software Engineer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    computer software engineering

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Software Engineer IV

    7 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

Jobs with a similar salary range to computer software engineering : Computer Vision Researcher, Software Administrator, Software Developers