Web Developer salary in California
Web Developers in California earn a median of $119,570 a year ($57.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,850 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $92,650. California ranks 3rd of 44 states for web developers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.40 web developers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $122,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for web developers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| 25th percentile | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Median | $119,570 | $57.48 |
| 75th percentile | $159,040 | $76.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $202,850 | $97.52 |
| Average (mean) | $122,890 | $59.08 |
Half of web developers 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 | $9,964.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,982.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,598.85 |
| Weekly | $2,299.42 |
| Hourly | $57.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Web Developer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $166,670 | 1,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $152,450 | 1,420 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $107,290 | 2,310 |
| Vallejo, CA | $106,190 | 40 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $103,530 | n/a |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $98,560 | 190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,300 | 520 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $88,240 | 40 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $81,350 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $77,600 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $72,400 | 290 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $50,300 | n/a |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $42,530 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for web developers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $130,440 |
| Virginia | $128,380 |
| California | $119,570 |
| District of Columbia | $114,690 |
| Maryland | $112,690 |
| Missouri | $103,750 |
| Minnesota | $101,020 |
| Utah | $100,170 |
| New York | $98,580 |
| Massachusetts | $98,470 |
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 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,720 | $61.40 |
| 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 |
| 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 15-1254. 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 web developer make in California?
The median salary for web developers in California is $119,570 a year, or $57.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid web developers make in California?
The top 10% of web developers in California earn at least $202,850 a year. The top 25% earn $159,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for web developers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,990 a year, and a quarter of web developers earn $80,620 or less.
How many web developers work in California?
About 7,320 web developers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.