Software Developers Salary in San Francisco, CA
Updated 2024 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUSD $
Median Salary
$187,000
Average Salary
$194,000
Salary Range
$94,000 - $257,000
Est. Employment*
3,000
*Employment figures are estimates based on national occupational data distributed across metro areas. Actual local numbers may vary.
Search Jobs on IndeedSalary Distribution
10th to 90th percentile range. Half of all software developers earn between $136,000 and $229,000.
About Software Developers in San Francisco
Software developers design, build, test, and maintain software applications and systems that power everything from mobile apps to enterprise platforms. They write code in various programming languages, collaborate with product teams, and solve complex technical problems to create reliable, scalable software solutions.
In San Francisco, software developers benefit from higher salaries that reflect the area's elevated cost of living. The area's major industries include Technology, Finance & Venture Capital, Biotech & Life Sciences.
Key Skills
Education
Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field
A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field is standard. However, many roles also value practical experience, coding bootcamp credentials, and industry certifications from AWS, Google, Microsoft, or other major tech companies.
Tips to Earn More as a Software Developers
Software Developers Salary in Other Cities
| City | Median | Range | vs San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $183,000 | $92,000 - $252,000 | -2% |
| Seattle, WA | $175,000 | $88,000 - $241,000 | -6% |
| New York, NY | $168,000 | $84,000 - $231,000 | -10% |
| Boston, MA | $164,000 | $82,000 - $226,000 | -12% |
| Washington DC, DC | $163,000 | $82,000 - $224,000 | -13% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $160,000 | $80,000 - $220,000 | -14% |
| San Diego, CA | $156,000 | $78,000 - $214,000 | -17% |
| Denver, CO | $152,000 | $76,000 - $209,000 | -19% |
| Portland, OR | $150,000 | $82,000 - $201,000 | -20% |
| Honolulu, HI | $148,000 | $81,000 - $198,000 | -21% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $145,000 | $80,000 - $194,000 | -22% |
| Austin, TX | $145,000 | $80,000 - $194,000 | -22% |
| Anchorage, AK | $145,000 | $80,000 - $194,000 | -22% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $144,000 | $79,000 - $193,000 | -23% |
| Sacramento, CA | $143,000 | $79,000 - $191,000 | -24% |
| Baltimore, MD | $140,000 | $77,000 - $187,000 | -25% |
| Hartford, CT | $140,000 | $77,000 - $187,000 | -25% |
| Dallas, TX | $138,000 | $76,000 - $185,000 | -26% |
| Atlanta, GA | $138,000 | $76,000 - $185,000 | -26% |
| Chicago, IL | $137,000 | $75,000 - $183,000 | -27% |
| Houston, TX | $136,000 | $75,000 - $182,000 | -27% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $133,000 | $73,000 - $178,000 | -29% |
| Raleigh, NC | $133,000 | $73,000 - $178,000 | -29% |
| Detroit, MI | $132,000 | $73,000 - $177,000 | -29% |
| Nashville, TN | $132,000 | $73,000 - $177,000 | -29% |
| Columbus, OH | $131,000 | $72,000 - $175,000 | -30% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $130,000 | $72,000 - $174,000 | -30% |
| Richmond, VA | $129,000 | $71,000 - $173,000 | -31% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $128,000 | $70,000 - $171,000 | -32% |
| Kansas City, MO | $128,000 | $70,000 - $171,000 | -32% |
| Miami, FL | $127,000 | $70,000 - $170,000 | -32% |
| Charlotte, NC | $127,000 | $70,000 - $170,000 | -32% |
| Tampa, FL | $126,000 | $69,000 - $169,000 | -33% |
| St. Louis, MO | $125,000 | $69,000 - $167,000 | -33% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $124,000 | $68,000 - $166,000 | -34% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $124,000 | $68,000 - $166,000 | -34% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $123,000 | $68,000 - $165,000 | -34% |
| Toronto, ON | $123,000 | $68,000 - $165,000 | -34% |
| San Antonio, TX | $122,000 | $67,000 - $163,000 | -35% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $122,000 | $67,000 - $163,000 | -35% |
| Memphis, TN | $122,000 | $67,000 - $163,000 | -35% |
| Louisville, KY | $122,000 | $67,000 - $163,000 | -35% |
| Orlando, FL | $121,000 | $67,000 - $162,000 | -35% |
| Tucson, AZ | $121,000 | $67,000 - $162,000 | -35% |
| Cleveland, OH | $120,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | -36% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $120,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | -36% |
| New Orleans, LA | $120,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | -36% |
| Buffalo, NY | $120,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | -36% |
| Vancouver, BC | $120,000 | $66,000 - $160,000 | -36% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $117,000 | $64,000 - $156,000 | -37% |
| Birmingham, AL | $116,000 | $64,000 - $155,000 | -38% |
| Calgary, AB | $116,000 | $64,000 - $155,000 | -38% |
| Edmonton, AB | $114,000 | $63,000 - $152,000 | -39% |
| Ottawa, ON | $112,000 | $62,000 - $150,000 | -40% |
| Montreal, QC | $106,000 | $58,000 - $142,000 | -43% |
| Hamilton, ON | $105,000 | $58,000 - $140,000 | -44% |
| Halifax, NS | $98,000 | $59,000 - $127,000 | -48% |
| Winnipeg, MB | $97,000 | $58,000 - $126,000 | -48% |
| Quebec City, QC | $93,000 | $56,000 - $121,000 | -50% |