Software Engineer salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A Software Engineer in California earns a median of $174,410 a year ($83.85/hour equivalent), 28.3% above the national median of $135,980. California ranks #1 of 50 states. About 284,390 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $116,233 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $4,470 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $6,708.08
- Federal income tax
- −$1,176.63
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$415.90
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$97.27
- California income tax
- −$460.58
- CA SDI
- −$87.21
- Take-home pay
- $4,470.49
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $174,410
- Federal
- $30,592
- FICA
- $13,342
- State + local
- $14,242
- Net
- $116,233
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $174,410 |
| #2 | Washington | $166,540 |
| #3 | New York | $166,180 |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| #5 | Oregon | $142,720 |
| #48 | Louisiana | $102,800 |
| #49 | South Dakota | $96,310 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $95,330 |
See the national Software Engineer salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Software Developers (SOC 15-1252), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Software Engineer make in California?
The median salary is $174,410 a year and the average is $186,770 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for software developers?
California ranks #1 of 50 states for median pay in this job, 28% above the national median of $135,980.
What is $174,410 after taxes in California?
About $116,233 a year ($4,470 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.