Software Developers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $138,740 +4.3% vs national
Median hourly $66.70
10th percentile $95,540
90th percentile $202,940
Employed locally 580
National median $133,080

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Software Developers
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $95,540
    25th
    $108,820
    50th (median)
    $138,740
    75th
    $170,770
    90th
    $202,940

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Software Developers salary vs area income 127% Median Software Developers salary is 27% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Software Developers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $208,270
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $174,910
    California $170,910
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $169,340
    Washington $166,910
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $163,020

    Nearby metros — Software Developers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $208,270
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $174,910
    California $170,910
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $163,020
    Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area $161,380
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $159,240

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Computer Systems Analysts $108,700
    Computer User Support Specialists $73,410
    Computer Occupations, All Other $104,800
    Network and Computer Systems Administrators $108,000
    Data Scientists $116,480
    Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers $106,750

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Software Developers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Software Developers in Santa Cruz, CA is $66.70, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $100.61 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Software Developers salaries?

    The median Software Developers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 4.3% above the national median of $133,080. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Software Developers in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Software Developers (10th percentile) earn around $95,540 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $108,820.