Computer Programmers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $133,560 +35.4% vs national
Median hourly $64.21
10th percentile $66,380
90th percentile $173,900
Employed locally 1,800
National median $98,670

Compare Computer Programmers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Computer Programmers
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,380
    25th
    $92,250
    50th (median)
    $133,560
    75th
    $160,150
    90th
    $173,900

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Computer Programmers salary vs area income 131% Median Computer Programmers salary is 31% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Computer Programmers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $167,970
    Boulder, CO $162,530
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $159,250
    Washington $158,820
    Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $136,880
    Bend, OR $132,590

    Nearby metros — Computer Programmers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $159,250
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $122,000
    California $116,220
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $115,190
    Visalia, CA $111,200
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $108,650

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Software Developers$159,240
    Computer Occupations, All Other$121,560
    Computer User Support Specialists$69,530
    Computer Systems Analysts$113,190
    Network and Computer Systems Administrators$101,990
    Data Scientists$127,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Computer Programmers make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Computer Programmers in San Diego, CA is $64.21, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $86.03 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Computer Programmers salaries?

    The median Computer Programmers salary in San Diego, CA is 35.4% above the national median of $98,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Computer Programmers in San Diego?

    Entry-level Computer Programmers (10th percentile) earn around $66,380 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $92,250.