Computer Programmers pay in California
In California, the median pay for computer programmers is $56.13 an hour ($116,760 a year). About 11,340 people work in this job there.
That is 16% higher than the U.S. median ($100,390). California ranks 7th of 46 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for computer programmers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $33.80 | $70,310 |
| 25% of workers | $40.14 | $83,490 |
| Half of workers (median) | $56.13 | $116,760 |
| 75% of workers | $71.51 | $148,740 |
| 90% of workers | $82.84 | $172,300 |
Computer Programmers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $154,920 | 980 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $134,130 | 1,600 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $132,850 | 90 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $130,730 | 2,440 |
| Visalia | $121,710 | 40 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $114,110 | 90 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $109,690 | 140 |
| Vallejo | $108,830 | 30 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $108,060 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $107,090 | 3,400 |
| Modesto | $103,250 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $102,600 | 580 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $101,810 | 390 |
| Merced | $100,410 | 30 |
| Fresno | $99,370 | 110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $84,250 | 120 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for computer programmers
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Job outlook: -7.3% over ten years, declining · about 4,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Software Developers | $174,410 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $134,440 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | $79,570 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $127,720 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $128,740 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $136,110 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $106,440 |
| Information Security Analysts | $138,570 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.