Software Developer Salary in San Diego, CA
Software Developers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $163,270 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $109,784 take-home, or $9,149 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$27,919
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,123
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,367
- California income tax$10,955
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$2,123
- Take-home pay$109,784
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Software Developer pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,420 | $45.88 | $70,073 | $5,839 |
| 25th percentile | $128,590 | $61.82 | $89,756 | $7,480 |
| Median (50th) | $163,270 | $78.50 | $109,784 | $9,149 |
| 75th percentile | $193,980 | $93.26 | $128,107 | $10,676 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $223,260 | $107.34 | $146,191 | $12,183 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $163,270 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $109,784 take-home pay has the buying power of $98,120 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Diego, CA has 1.2× the national concentration of software developer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
San Diego, CA ranks #32 of 72 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,110 | $140,222 | $126,987 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $162,090 | $122,055 | $115,520 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 | $125,602 | $113,019 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $164,560 | $117,211 | $111,415 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $186,640 | $123,413 | $106,747 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $134,120 | $102,937 | $104,967 |
| 32 | San Diego, CA | $163,270 | $109,784 | $98,120 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 72 metros →
About the job: software developers
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Software Developer salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $213,110
- San Francisco, CA — $186,640
- Los Angeles, CA — $160,920
- Sacramento, CA — $139,640
- Riverside, CA — $133,270
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in San Diego, CA?
The median software developer salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $163,270 a year, or about $78.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $128,590 and $193,980.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $163,270 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $109,784 a year ($9,149 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $13,077 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $98,120 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #32 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Diego, CA
- Data Scientist — $130,990
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $127,600
- Computer Systems Analyst — $119,090
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $105,170
- Computer User Support Specialist — $74,020