Technology San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Software Engineer Salary in San Diego, California

The median software engineer salary in San Diego, CA is $194,994 per year, which is 57.0% above the national median and 2.6% above the California state average.

City Median
$194,994
vs State Avg
+$4,968
vs National
+$70,794
Cost of Living
142%

Software Engineer Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level software engineer earns around $122,460, while experienced professionals earn up to $290,450 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$122,460
+$44,460 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$196,250
+$71,250 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$290,450
+$105,450 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $117,122
25th Percentile $154,174
Median (50th) $194,994
75th Percentile $248,374
90th Percentile $311,771

Software Engineer Salary in Other California Cities

How to Become a Software Engineer in San Diego

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. San Diego and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.