Senior software engineer salary in San Diego, CA, 2026

The average salary for a Senior Software Engineer is $159,499 per year in San Diego, CA. This figure is based on 454 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on October 3, 2026.

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Senior Software Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA typically range between a low of $112,673 and a high of $225,785 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Senior Software Engineer in San Diego, CA include San Mateo, CA at $217,492 per year, San Jose, CA at $210,072 per year, and San Francisco, CA at $199,848 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Senior Software Engineer in San Diego, CA include Amazon Stores ($325,000 per year) and Cenergy International Services ($301,600 per year).

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

• Entry Level Software Engineer: Average $94,825 per year
• Junior Software Engineer: Average $83,172 per year
• Principal Software Engineer: Average $183,556 per year
• Senior Software Engineer: Average $159,499 per year
• Software Engineer: Average $130,444 per year
• Software Engineer Intern: Average $36.81 per hour