RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Software Developers salary: California vs Washington

Occupation

Software Developers in California earn a median of $174,410. In Washington, $166,540. After cost-of-living, the gap is 1.2% — not 4.7%.

Nominal pay gap
+4.7%
California vs Washington
COL-adjusted gap
+1.2%
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
See full breakdown for California

Washington

Software Developers

Median
$166,540
p25
$132,290
p75
$211,860
p10
$96,810
p90
$255,350
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
107.0
Hiring velocity (180d)
0%
See full breakdown for Washington

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.