Software Developer Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
Designs, builds, and maintains software applications across web, mobile, and systems domains.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad ranks #10 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $27,512 above the national average.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad vs National Average
| Level | This Metro | National Avg | Difference | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | $102,794 | $75,282 | +$27,512 | +36.5% |
| Level II | $130,187 | $96,293 | +$33,894 | +35.2% |
| Level III (Mid) | $157,581 | $117,303 | +$40,278 | +34.3% |
| Level IV (Senior) | $184,974 | $138,313 | +$46,661 | +33.7% |
Other metros in California
| Metro Area | Level I | Level IV | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $149,365 | $264,514 | $226,512 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $135,699 | $213,512 | $187,845 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $97,989 | $213,179 | $175,178 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $106,621 | $187,678 | $160,930 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $102,232 | $184,558 | $157,394 |
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What is the average software developer salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
The average software developer salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad is $157,851 per year, based on U.S. Department of Labor employer survey data. This places San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad at rank #10 out of 530 U.S. metro areas surveyed.
What do entry-level software developers earn in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
Entry-level software developers (Level I) in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad earn $102,794 per year. Level II (early career) earns $130,187, reflecting growing independence and experience.
How does San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad compare to the national average for software developer salaries?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad ranks #10 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $27,512 above the national average. The national average software developer salary is $117,513, while San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad workers average $157,851 — a difference of +34% overall.
Data source: Salary data sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers nationwide to collect wage data by occupation and geography. The four experience levels reflect DOL standardized tiers. Data reflects the most recently published survey cycle. SOC code: 15-1252.