RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Software Developers salary: California vs District of Columbia

Occupation

Software Developers in California earn a median of $174,410. In District of Columbia, $136,880. After cost-of-living, the gap is 26.5% — not 27.4%.

Nominal pay gap
+27.4%
California vs District of Columbia
COL-adjusted gap
+26.5%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

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

District of Columbia

Software Developers

Median
$136,880
p25
$117,120
p75
$169,580
p10
$85,140
p90
$197,000
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
109.9
Hiring velocity (180d)
-43%
See full breakdown for District of Columbia

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.