Computer Systems Analyst salary in California
Computer Systems Analysts in California earn a median of $127,720 a year ($61.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 59,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,770 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $105,850. California ranks 5th of 50 states for computer systems analysts pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 3.2 computer systems analysts per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $130,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer systems analysts in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,110 | $38.03 |
| 25th percentile | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Median | $127,720 | $61.40 |
| 75th percentile | $160,440 | $77.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $181,770 | $87.39 |
| Average (mean) | $130,480 | $62.73 |
Half of computer systems analysts earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,643.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,321.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,912.31 |
| Weekly | $2,456.15 |
| Hourly | $61.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Systems Analyst salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,140 | 7,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $134,460 | 11,180 |
| Napa, CA | $124,790 | 80 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $124,450 | 490 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,330 | 3,170 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $122,320 | 50 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $121,560 | 16,900 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $120,680 | 720 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $119,970 | 760 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $119,090 | 5,760 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $113,520 | 330 |
| Vallejo, CA | $111,350 | 210 |
| Salinas, CA | $108,900 | 200 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $106,310 | 500 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $105,030 | 1,970 |
| Yuba City, CA | $104,710 | 70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $104,260 | 180 |
| Visalia, CA | $102,170 | 150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $100,400 | 490 |
| Modesto, CA | $99,760 | 140 |
| Fresno, CA | $98,900 | 550 |
| Redding, CA | $96,980 | 90 |
| Merced, CA | $95,390 | 110 |
| Chico, CA | $93,720 | 220 |
| El Centro, CA | $84,610 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for computer systems analysts
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $134,630 |
| Washington | $129,410 |
| Massachusetts | $128,240 |
| Colorado | $127,750 |
| California | $127,720 |
| New Jersey | $122,890 |
| Oregon | $121,620 |
| Virginia | $120,840 |
| District of Columbia | $116,820 |
| Maryland | $113,610 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $174,410 | $83.85 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $79,570 | $38.25 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $128,740 | $61.89 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $136,110 | $65.44 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Information Security Analyst | $138,570 | $66.62 |
| Computer Network Architect | $158,870 | $76.38 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Computer Programmer | $116,760 | $56.13 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $159,100 | $76.49 |
| Web Developer | $119,570 | $57.48 |
| Database Administrator | $113,060 | $54.35 |
| Database Architect | $170,160 | $81.81 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1211. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer systems analyst make in California?
The median salary for computer systems analysts in California is $127,720 a year, or $61.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer systems analysts make in California?
The top 10% of computer systems analysts in California earn at least $181,770 a year. The top 25% earn $160,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer systems analysts in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,110 a year, and a quarter of computer systems analysts earn $101,150 or less.
How many computer systems analysts work in California?
About 59,060 computer systems analysts are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.