Computer Programmers in California. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
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 $83,490 and $148,740, with a median of $116,760.
Computer Programmers in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 2,000 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $116,545. 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 | 428 | $101,254 |
| Level II — qualified | 1,272 | $126,693 |
| Level III — experienced | 192 | $130,270 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 81 | $176,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mphasis Corporation | Software Engineer | 99 | $125,000 |
| HCL AMERICA INC | Senior Technical Lead | 75 | $126,693 |
| Accenture LLP | Packaged App Development Assoc Manager | 67 | $127,837 |
| Tata Consultancy Services Limited | Developer | 61 | $126,693 |
| WIPRO LIMITED | Technical Lead L1 | 58 | $126,693 |
| TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED | Developer | 56 | $126,693 |
| RYZLINK CORP | Backend Programmer | 28 | $101,254 |
| RJT Compuquest Inc. dba Apolis | Computer Programmer | 26 | $101,920 |
| LITMUS7 SYSTEMS CONSULTING INC | Senior Technical Consultant | 25 | $140,000 |
| COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP, INC | Computer Programmer | 24 | $130,860 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Developer at TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED$104,541Culver CityWage Level IIIDecided —I-200-26084-729206
- Computer Programmer at V-Soft Consulting Group, INC$131,000Santa ClaraWage Level IIDecided —I-200-26084-729883
- COMPUTER PROGRAMMER at YUVI SYSTEMS INC$76,960LATHROPWage Level IIDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-726783
- PROGRAMMER ANALYST at N9 IT SOLUTIONS, INC.$114,899OAKLANDWage Level IIDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-725187
- SOFTWARE PROGRAMMER II at Mphasis Corporation$94,827EL DORADO HILLSWage Level IIDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-725876
- SENIOR FRONTEND DEVELOPER at MORRIS & WILLNER PARTNERS, INC.$125,424SANTA CLARITAWage Level IVDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-726716
- Senior Software Engineer at Velocity Global, LLC dba Pebl$202,071San JoseWage Level IVDecided Mar 30, 2026I-200-26082-722965
- Software Engineer at SRS Consulting, Inc.$140,000Santa ClaraWage Level IIDecided Mar 30, 2026I-200-26082-721032
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.
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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 1,288 certified offers. The most common variant is Computer Programmer at a median of $104,550.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Programmer | RJT Compuquest Inc. dba Apolis | 379 | $104,550 |
| Software Engineer | Mphasis Corporation | 243 | $126,693 |
| Developer | Tata Consultancy Services Limited | 132 | $126,693 |
| Programmer Analyst | EVEREST CONSULTING GROUP INC. | 131 | $107,203 |
| Java Developer | BEACONFIRE STAFFING SOLUTIONS INC. | 103 | $102,877 |
| Software Programmer | Mphasis Corporation | 66 | $120,580 |
| Software Developer | CLOUDMANIA SOLUTIONS LLC | 57 | $102,000 |
| Senior Technical Lead | HCL AMERICA INC | 56 | $126,693 |
| Technical Lead L1 | WIPRO LIMITED | 40 | $126,693 |
| Software Development Engineer | Adobe Inc. | 30 | $145,000 |
| Programmer | Kumaran Systems Inc | 28 | $95,000 |
| Application Programmer | Infinite Computer Solutions, Inc. | 23 | $106,000 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Computer Programmers in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 1,999 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $117,592.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | Mphasis Corporation | 1,677 | $117,592 |
| Professional services | Accenture LLP | 205 | $109,720 |
| Manufacturing | Tesla, Inc. | 58 | $152,131 |
| Retail and wholesale | TechCorp Solutions Inc. | 24 | $145,000 |
| Finance and insurance | Ally Bank | 14 | $113,339 |
| Healthcare | Carelon Management Services, LLC | 9 | $146,711 |
| Education | University of California, Davis | 6 | $121,994 |
| Real estate | Anstar LLC | 3 | $150,730 |
| Transportation and logistics | Dependable Highway Express, INC. | 2 | $110,708 |
| Nonprofit and civic | India Community Center, Inc. | 1 | $102,877 |
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 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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$154,920
- San Diego$134,130
- San Francisco$130,730
- Los Angeles$107,090
- Sacramento$102,600
- Riverside$101,810
Compare Computer Programmers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare California with another state
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 $116,760.
- How does California compare to the national median for Computer Programmers?
- The California median is +24.0% versus the BLS national figure of $94,155.
- What is the salary range for Computer Programmers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $70,310 and the 90th-percentile at $172,300, 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.