Software Developer Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
Designs, builds, and maintains software applications across web, mobile, and systems domains.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ranks #1 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $74,083 above the national average.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara vs National Average
| Level | This Metro | National Avg | Difference | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | $149,365 | $75,282 | +$74,083 | +98.4% |
| Level II | $187,741 | $96,293 | +$91,448 | +95.0% |
| Level III (Mid) | $226,138 | $117,303 | +$108,835 | +92.8% |
| Level IV (Senior) | $264,514 | $138,313 | +$126,201 | +91.2% |
Other metros in California
| Metro Area | Level I | Level IV | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $102,794 | $184,974 | $157,851 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $102,232 | $184,558 | $157,394 |
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What is the average software developer salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
The average software developer salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara is $226,512 per year, based on U.S. Department of Labor employer survey data. This places San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at rank #1 out of 530 U.S. metro areas surveyed.
What do entry-level software developers earn in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
Entry-level software developers (Level I) in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara earn $149,365 per year. Level II (early career) earns $187,741, reflecting growing independence and experience.
How does San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara compare to the national average for software developer salaries?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ranks #1 of 530 U.S. metro areas for software developer pay. Entry-level salaries here are $74,083 above the national average. The national average software developer salary is $117,513, while San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara workers average $226,512 — a difference of +93% 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.