RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Software Developers salary: Alabama vs California

Occupation

Software Developers in California earn a median of $174,410. In Alabama, $122,540. After cost-of-living, the gap is 12.4% — not 29.7%.

Nominal pay gap
-29.7%
Alabama vs California
COL-adjusted gap
-12.4%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

Alabama

Software Developers

Median
$122,540
p25
$86,990
p75
$154,290
p10
$71,590
p90
$175,330
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
88.8
Hiring velocity (180d)
-61%
See full breakdown for Alabama

California

Software Developers

Median
$174,410
p25
$136,990
p75
$216,670
p10
$105,060
p90
$272,670
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
0%
See full breakdown for California

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.