What is the median salary for Software Developers in San Francisco, California?

According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $174,910.

Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Software Developers?

The San Francisco metro median is +2.3% versus the California state median of $170,910.

How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Software Developers?

The San Francisco metro median is +26.3% versus the BLS national figure of $138,520.

What education is required for Software Developers?

BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.

Software Developers Salary in San Francisco, California

Median annual$174,910

Mean annual$187,840

Range (10th to 90th)Not published

San Francisco, California employment76,900

State vs national+26.3% vs national

Salary distribution

Where San Francisco software developers fall on the wage curve.

Distribution not available

The Bureau of Labor Statistics suppresses wage percentiles for this occupation and state when the surveyed cell has too few employers to publish without revealing individual firm pay. National figures and adjacent states below remain a useful reference.

Typical entry

Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None

Top skills (O*NET)

Skill data from O*NET is not yet ingested for this occupation. We refresh this section when O*NET publishes a new release.

Common tasks (O*NET)

Task data from O*NET is not yet ingested for this occupation.

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Other metros in California

How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for software developers.

San Jose$208,270
San Diego$159,240
Los Angeles$155,330
Sacramento$141,030
Riverside$136,760

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Software Developers in San Francisco, California?: According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $174,910.
Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Software Developers?: The San Francisco metro median is +2.3% versus the California state median of $170,910.
How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Software Developers?: The San Francisco metro median is +26.3% versus the BLS national figure of $138,520.
What education is required for Software Developers?: BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.

Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Francisco CBSA boundary 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.