San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Software Developer Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metropolitan area, software developers earned a median annual wage of $173,900 ($83.61/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $104,800/year and the 90th was $271,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and California tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $118,199 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 110.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$173,900$83.61 per hour · $14,492 monthly
10th Percentile$104,800$50.38/hr base
25th Percentile$136,600$65.67/hr base
75th Percentile$216,100$103.89/hr base
90th Percentile$271,900$130.72/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$173,900
$65,000$350,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$173,900
Net 68%
Fed 18%
CA 7%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$118,199After all taxes
Monthly deposit$9,850Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$4,546Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate32%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$30,470 / yr
California state income tax$11,928 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$13,303 / yr

Software Developers Wage Percentiles in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Software Developers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CA)
10th Percentile$50.38/hr$8,733$104,800$77,055
25th Percentile$65.67/hr$11,383$136,600$96,173
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$83.61/hr$14,492$173,900$118,199
75th Percentile$103.89/hr$18,008$216,100$144,932
90th Percentile$130.72/hr$22,658$271,900$176,470

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$173,900 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$162,111Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index110.410.4% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio107.3%of area median income

Compare software developers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in California:

Frequently Asked Questions About Software Developers Pay in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

What is the median salary for software developers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The official BLS median annual wage for software developers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $173,900, which equates to approximately $14,492 per month or $83.61 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for software developers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

The median hourly wage for software developers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $83.61 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $50.38/hour and one in ten earned more than $130.72/hour.

What is the pay range for software developers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

BLS wage estimates for software developers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA span from $104,800 at the 10th percentile to $136,600 at the 25th, $216,100 at the 75th, and $271,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do software developers take home after taxes in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

On a median gross salary of $173,900, an estimated $118,199 lands in net take-home pay per year ($4,546 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in California in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $55,701 (an effective rate of 32%).

How much do software developers make per month in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

On the median annual salary of $173,900, gross monthly income is $14,492. After federal, FICA, and California state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $9,850 per month (or $4,546 every two weeks).

Is $173,900 a good salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?

At $173,900, the median salary for software developers is 107.3% of the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA median household income ($162,111). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 110.4, making regional consumer goods and services 10.4% more expensive than the U.S. average.