Computer Programmers Salary in California
Computer Programmers in California earn a median annual wage of $116,760 —16.3% above the national median of $100,390. That ranks CA #7 of 46 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.05×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
All 46 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $133,820 | $64.34 | 1,650 | 1.64 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $128,390 | $61.73 | 1,930 | 0.89 |
| 3 | Washington | $125,620 | $60.39 | 2,540 | 1.21 |
| 4 | Maryland | $125,570 | $60.37 | 2,490 | 1.52 |
| 5 | Virginia | $121,610 | $58.47 | 3,070 | 1.26 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $118,180 | $56.82 | 450 | 1.22 |
| 7 | California | $116,760 | $56.13 | 11,340 | 1.05 |
| 8 | Arkansas | $111,840 | $53.77 | 1,050 | 1.36 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $107,250 | $51.56 | 2,070 | 1.18 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $104,940 | $50.45 | 3,930 | 1.55 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $174,410 | $135,980 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | $79,570 | $61,860 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $127,720 | $105,850 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $134,440 | $116,580 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $106,440 | $99,130 |
| Data Scientists | $141,590 | $120,230 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do computer programmers make in California?
The median annual wage for computer programmers in California is $116,760, or $56.13 per hour. That is 16.3% above the national median of $100,390.
What is the entry-level computer programmers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $70,310 per year ($33.80/hour). The 25th percentile is $83,490.
How many people work as computer programmers in California?
About 11,340 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.6 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for computer programmers?
California ranks #7 of 46 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.05x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays computer programmers the most?
Connecticut has the highest median wage at $133,820 per year, followed by Massachusetts ($128,390) and Washington ($125,620).