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

Programming Engineer Salary in Oakland, CA

As of March 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Programming Engineer in Oakland, CA is $173,552, equivalent to $83 per hour, $3,338 weekly, or $14,463 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 Oakland, CA vary widely, spanning from $147,158 to $201,864. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($159,736) and 75th percentile ($188,372), while top earners (90th percentile) make $201,864 per year. This $28,636 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, Oakland Programming Engineer often earn 10.7% higher than national averages. However, Oakland currently ranks 6 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 $147,158 Oakland, CA March 01, 2026
25th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $159,736 Oakland, CA March 01, 2026
50th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $173,552 Oakland, CA March 01, 2026
75th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $188,372 Oakland, CA March 01, 2026
90th Percentile Programming Engineer Salary $201,864 Oakland, CA March 01, 2026
25% $159,736 10% $147,158 90% $201,864 75% $188,372 $173,552 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 Oakland, 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

 
 
 
159736
188372
173552

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
173817
213227
192565
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Programming Engineer in Oakland, CA. The base salary for Programming Engineer ranges from $159,736 to $188,372 with the average base salary of $173,552. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $173,817 to $213,227 with the average total cash compensation of $192,565.

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159736
188372

 

About Oakland, California    Oakland is in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay. In 1991 the City Hall tower was at 37°48′19″N 122°16′21″W / 37.805302°N 122.272539°W / 3....More

Oakland, California  area prices were up 4.5% from a year ago

Programming Engineer Salary in popular cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose

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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