Senior software engineer salary in San Diego, CA

The average salary for a Senior Software Engineer is $159,959 per year in San Diego, CA. This figure is based on 441 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on September 13, 2026.

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Senior Software Engineer salaries in San Diego, CA typically range between a low of $113,118 and a high of $226,196 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 $217,052 per year, San Jose, CA at $210,929 per year, and San Francisco, CA at $200,027 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 $98,266 per year
• Junior Software Engineer: Average $83,172 per year
• Principal Software Engineer: Average $181,043 per year
• Senior Software Engineer: Average $159,959 per year
• Software Engineer: Average $129,983 per year
• Software Engineer Intern: Average $39.06 per hour