How much does a computer programmer make in California?
$116,800a year
Median yearly pay for computer programmers in California. That is $56.13 an hour or $9,730 a month.
- Hourly
- $56.13
- Vs. national median
- +16%
- Rank among states
- 7 of 46
- Jobs in the state
- 11,340
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $70,310Median: $116,800Highest 10%: $172,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $70,310 | $33.80 | |
| 25th | $83,490 | $40.14 | |
| Median | $116,800 | $56.13 | |
| 75th | $148,700 | $71.51 | |
| 90th | $172,300 | $82.84 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $154,900 |
| San Diego, CA | $134,100 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $132,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,700 |
| Visalia, CA | $121,700 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $114,100 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $109,700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $108,800 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $108,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $107,100 |
| Modesto, CA | $103,300 |
| Sacramento, CA | $102,600 |
| Riverside, CA | $101,800 |
| Merced, CA | $100,400 |
| Fresno, CA | $99,370 |
| Oxnard, CA | $84,250 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for computer programmers.
| 4. Maryland | $125,600 |
| 5. Virginia | $121,600 |
| 6. Hawaii | $118,200 |
| 7. California | $116,800 |
| 8. Arkansas | $111,800 |
| 9. Minnesota | $107,300 |
| 10. New Jersey | $104,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $56.13 ($116,800 a year).
Do computer programmers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $116,800 against $100,400 nationally, 16% more.
Where does California rank for computer programmer pay?
California ranks 7 of 46 states.
Which city in California pays computer programmers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $154,900 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.