Salary distribution
Where California computer programmers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $82,030 and $150,970, with a median of $116,220.
Computer Programmers in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 1,000 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $114,107. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 200 | $101,254 |
| Level II — qualified | 455 | $126,693 |
| Level III — experienced | 64 | $134,068 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 21 | $177,570 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Computer Programmers in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCL AMERICA INC | Senior Technical Lead | 39 | $107,203 |
| Mphasis Corporation | Software Engineer | 32 | $127,500 |
| Tata Consultancy Services Limited | Developer | 29 | $126,693 |
| TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED | Developer | 25 | $126,693 |
| COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP, INC | Computer Programmer | 21 | $130,900 |
| RYZLINK CORP | Backend Programmer | 21 | $101,254 |
| WIPRO LIMITED | Technical Lead L1 | 20 | $130,853 |
| Accenture LLP | Packaged App Development Assoc Manager | 16 | $145,850 |
| CAPGEMINI AMERICA INC | Programmer/ Developer 3 | 15 | $125,000 |
| PERSISTENT SYSTEMS, INC. | Computer Programmer II | 13 | $125,856 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Computer Programmer at GP TECHNOLOGIES LLC$102,890SANTA CLARADecided Dec 30, 2025I-200-25356-501505
- Computer Programmer at RJT Compuquest Inc. dba Apolis$131,040Lake ElsinoreDecided Dec 30, 2025I-200-25356-502736
- Computer Programmer at NextGen IT Labs LLC$102,877FremontDecided Dec 30, 2025I-200-25356-503690
- Senior Technical Lead at HCL AMERICA INC$107,203FremontDecided Dec 30, 2025I-200-25356-501013
- Computer Programmer II at PERSISTENT SYSTEMS, INC.$177,936Santa ClaraDecided Dec 30, 2025I-200-25356-501037
- Computer Programmer at GP TECHNOLOGIES LLC$186,830SANTA CLARADecided Dec 30, 2025I-200-25356-502422
- Computer Programmer at Trackme Software LLC$83,637IrvineDecided Dec 30, 2025I-200-25356-503892
- Technical Lead L1 at WIPRO LIMITED$130,853SunnyvaleDecided Dec 26, 2025I-200-25352-493017
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Computer Programmers pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Computer Programmers specialties in California
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 656 certified offers. The most common variant is Computer Programmer at a median of $107,500.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Programmer | COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP, INC | 203 | $107,500 |
| Software Engineer | Mphasis Corporation | 107 | $126,693 |
| Programmer Analyst | EVEREST CONSULTING GROUP INC. | 70 | $103,709 |
| Developer | Tata Consultancy Services Limited | 64 | $126,693 |
| Java Developer | BEACONFIRE STAFFING SOLUTIONS INC. | 55 | $102,877 |
| Software Programmer | Mphasis Corporation | 34 | $121,580 |
| Senior Technical Lead | HCL AMERICA INC | 30 | $125,847 |
| Software Developer | IGATE Solutions LLC | 27 | $102,877 |
| Programmer | Kumaran Systems Inc | 19 | $95,000 |
| Software Development Engineer | TechCorp Solutions Inc. | 17 | $145,000 |
| Programmer/ Developer | CAPGEMINI AMERICA INC | 16 | $123,500 |
| Technical Lead L1 | WIPRO LIMITED | 14 | $130,853 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Computer Programmers in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 1,000 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $111,480.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | HCL AMERICA INC | 877 | $111,480 |
| Professional services | Accenture LLP | 78 | $109,980 |
| Retail and wholesale | TechCorp Solutions Inc. | 17 | $145,000 |
| Manufacturing | KLA Corporation | 13 | $165,070 |
| Finance and insurance | Overflow App Inc | 5 | $126,693 |
| Healthcare | Carelon Management Services, LLC | 4 | $147,464 |
| Education | University of California, Davis | 3 | $109,000 |
| Real estate | Anstar LLC | 2 | $173,682,298 |
| Transportation and logistics | JASS BOYS TRUCK LINES LLC | 1 | $107,203 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.8 / 5
Programming
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 3.8 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 3.8 / 5
Complex Problem Solving
Technical
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
- 02
Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- 03
Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
- 04
Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
- 05
Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
- 06
Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
- 07
Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language.
- 08
Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-6.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for computer programmers in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Jose$159,250
- San Diego$133,560
- San Francisco$122,000
- Sacramento$105,030
- Los Angeles$104,410
- Riverside$82,760
Compare Computer Programmers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Computer Programmers in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Computer Programmers in California is $116,220.
- How does California compare to the national median for Computer Programmers?
- The California median is +17.9% versus the BLS national figure of $98,561.
- What is the salary range for Computer Programmers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,510 and the 90th-percentile at $176,990, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Computer Programmers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -6.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Computer Programmers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.