How Much Does a Programming Engineer Make in Los Angeles, CA ? (2026 Salary Guide)

Programming Engineer Salary in Los Angeles, CA

As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Programming Engineer in Los Angeles, CA is $157,419, equivalent to $76 per hour, $3,027 weekly, or $13,118 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Programming Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Programming Engineer in Los Angeles, CA vary widely, spanning from $133,343 to $182,930. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($144,817) and 75th percentile ($170,772), while top earners (90th percentile) make $182,930 per year. This $25,955 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, Los Angeles Programming Engineer often earn 0.4% higher than national averages. However, Los Angeles currently ranks 76 statewide for Programming Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

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Programming Engineer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $133,343 Los Angeles, CA April 01, 2026
25th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $144,817 Los Angeles, CA April 01, 2026
50th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $157,419 Los Angeles, CA April 01, 2026
75th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $170,772 Los Angeles, CA April 01, 2026
90th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $182,930 Los Angeles, CA April 01, 2026
25% $144,817 10% $133,343 90% $182,930 75% $170,772 $157,419 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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What is a Programming Engineer ?

Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build, and test machines, systems, structures and materials to fulfill objectives and requirements while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety, and cost. The word engineer (Latin ingeniator) is derived from the Latin words ingeniare ("to create, generate, contrive, devise") and ingenium ("cleverness"). The foundational qualifications of an engineer typically include a four-year bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, or in some jurisdictions, a master's degree in...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/18/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Job Openings for Programming Engineer in Los Angeles, CA

Career Path for this job

  1. Down a level:

    Software Engineer II

    2 - 4 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  2. This Job:

    Programming Engineer

    4 - 7 years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

  3. Up a level:

    Software Engineer IV

    7 + years experience
    Bachelor's Degree

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Understand the total compensation opportunity for a Programming Engineer, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
144817
170772
157419

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
158071
193913
175120
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Programming Engineer in Los Angeles, CA. The base salary for Programming Engineer ranges from $144,817 to $170,772 with the average base salary of $157,419. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $158,071 to $193,913 with the average total cash compensation of $175,120.

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144817
170772

 

About Los Angeles, California    Los Angeles (/lɔːs ˈændʒələs/ (listen);[a] Spanish: Los Ángeles), officially the City of Los Angeles and often known by its initials L.A., is the most....More

Los Angeles, California  area prices were up 3.2% from a year ago

Programming Engineer Salary in popular cities: San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco

Skills associated with Programming Engineer: Design, Machining

Recently searched related titles: Application Software Engineer, Controls Software Engineer, Delivery Software Engineer

Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

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