Software Developer Salary in San Francisco, CA
Software Developers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $186,640 a year — 37% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $123,413 take-home, or $10,284 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in San Francisco, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$33,528
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,706
- California income tax$13,128
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$2,426
- Take-home pay$123,413
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 Francisco, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $128,090 | $61.58 | $89,468 | $7,456 |
| 25th percentile | $163,500 | $78.61 | $109,917 | $9,160 |
| Median (50th) | $186,640 | $89.73 | $123,413 | $10,284 |
| 75th percentile | $219,670 | $105.61 | $144,215 | $12,018 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $273,400+ | $131.44 | $173,761 | $14,480 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $186,640 buys in San Francisco, CA
Prices in San Francisco, CA are 15.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.95× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software developer's $123,413 take-home pay has the buying power of $106,747 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 Francisco, CA has 2.7× 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 Francisco, CA ranks #7 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 |
*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 Diego, CA — $163,270
- 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 Francisco, CA?
The median software developer salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $186,640 a year, or about $89.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $163,500 and $219,670.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in San Francisco, CA?
On the median $186,640 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $123,413 a year ($10,284 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $15,554 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 37% above the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 15.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $106,747 would in a typical U.S. city. San Francisco, CA ranks #7 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Francisco, CA is $2,620 a month ($3,187 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Francisco, CA
- Data Scientist — $170,110
- Computer Network Architect — $166,760
- Web and Digital Interface Designer — $163,810
- Information Security Analyst — $162,310
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $161,700
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $134,630
- Computer Systems Analyst — $134,460
- Computer Programmer — $130,730
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $129,680
- Computer Network Support Specialist — $101,600
- Computer User Support Specialist — $89,440