Software engineer salary in California

The average salary for a Software Engineer is $162,924 per year in California. This figure is based on 10.3k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on September 6, 2026.

Find your next high paying job as a Software Engineer in California on Indeed today

Software Engineer salaries in California typically range between a low of $97,599 and a high of $271,972 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Software Engineer in California include Camarillo, CA at $325,792 per year, Menlo Park, CA at $187,329 per year, and San Francisco, CA at $183,519 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Software Engineer in California include CHAI ($381,250 per year) and Superior Skilled Trades ($312,000 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Software Engineer salary in California compares to related positions:

• Entry Level Software Engineer: Average $85,824 per year
• Junior Software Engineer: Average $90,989 per year
• Principal Software Engineer: Average $219,746 per year
• Senior Software Engineer: Average $186,620 per year
• Software Engineer Intern: Average $43.26 per hour
• Staff Software Engineer: Average $222,945 per year