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2026 Salary Data — Long Beach, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Software Engineer Salary in Long Beach: $159K Median

Software Engineers in Long Beach, CA earn between $104K and $250K per year.

That's +20% above the US national median of $132,270 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Software Engineer salary in Long Beach, CA is $158,724 per year — +20% above the US national median of $132,270. Salaries range from $103,872 (entry, 25th percentile) to $250,344 (90th percentile). Software Engineers in Long Beach earned approximately $25,601 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$158,724
+520.0% YoY · $13,227/mo
Entry
$114,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$210,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$250,344
Senior/lead
Software Engineer Salary — Long Beach vs Nearby
Long Beach
$159K
Los Angeles
$169K
-6% vs Long Beach
San Diego
$156K
+2% vs Long Beach
San Francisco
$205K
-23% vs Long Beach

Free ATS scan · Long Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Software Engineers in Long Beach

Software engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. They work across web, mobile, backend, and cloud platforms using languages like Python, JavaScript, and Java.

Core Responsibilities

  • Write clean, scalable code
  • Design system architecture
  • Code review and testing
  • Collaborate with product and design teams
  • Optimize performance and reliability

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)

In-demand certifications

AWS Certified Solutions ArchitectGoogle Cloud ProfessionalMicrosoft AzureKubernetes (CKAD)

Long Beach Job Market

Major Pacific port city with strong aerospace and healthcare presence.

Population
467K
Cost of Living
153
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5%
Median Home
$770K

Top Industries in Long Beach

AerospaceHealthcareLogistics (Port)TourismEducation

Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers

Major employers active in Long Beach or hiring remotely from this metro.

Google
Microsoft
Meta
Amazon
Apple
Stripe
Anthropic
OpenAI

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Software Engineer listings.

PythonTypeScriptAWS/AzureLLM/RAGKubernetesGo/Rust

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PythonJavaScriptTypeScriptReactNode.jsAWSCI/CDsystem designmicroservicesAPI development
Career Outlook
+17% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Software developer employment is projected to grow 17% through 2034 — adding 327,900 new jobs. AI and cloud computing demand continues to drive growth, particularly for engineers with ML/AI skills.

Software Engineer Salary Breakdown — Long Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$103,872$158,724$250,344
Monthly$8,656$13,227$20,862
Weekly$1,998$3,052$4,814
Hourly$50$76$120

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($132,270) adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Software Engineer Take-Home Pay in Long Beach

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$110,415.034
Per month$9,201
Biweekly paycheck$4,247
Effective tax rate30.4%

Tax Breakdown on $158,724

Gross salary$158,724
Federal income tax−$27,436.76
California state tax−$8,729.82
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$12,142.386
Take-home (net)$110,415.034

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Software Engineer Salary by Experience — Long Beach

Career-stage progression for Software Engineers in Long Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$104,880
2–3 yr$114,000
4–6 yr$162,000
7–10 yr$210,000
11–15 yr$247,800
15+ yr$230,172

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Long Beach's 1.20× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$25,601
2026 median:$158,724
Change:+$133,123

Technology sector growth driven by demand for Python and TypeScript.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$103,741
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Software Engineer Salary in Long Beach

Walk-away anchor: $138,021 (offers below this are below market for Long Beach).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $210K–$250K for experienced roles, citing Long Beach market data and your specific Python/TypeScript expertise.

Software Engineer Salary FAQ — Long Beach

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Long Beach, CA?
The average Software Engineer salary in Long Beach is $158,724 per year as of April 2026 — $13,227/month, $3,052/week, or about $76/hour. Salaries range from $103,872 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $250,344 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×).
Is $158,724 a good Software Engineer salary in Long Beach?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Long Beach's cost-of-living index is 153 (vs 100 nationally), giving $158,724 a real purchasing power of approximately $103,741 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $158,724 in Long Beach?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Long Beach specifically (median home price $770,000), a $158,724 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $158,724 enough for a single person in Long Beach?
A single adult in Long Beach typically needs ~$68,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $158,724 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $158,724 enough for a couple in Long Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$110,160 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $158,724 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $158,724 each ($317,448 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $158,724 enough for a family of 4 in Long Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$168,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $158,724 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Long Beach. Childcare costs in Long Beach typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Long Beach?
On a $158,724 Software Engineer salary in Long Beach, CA, you take home approximately $110,415.034 per year ($9,201/month, $4,247 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $27,436.76, state $8,729.82, FICA $12,142.386. Effective tax rate: 30.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Software Engineers in Long Beach earn compared to the US average?
Software Engineers in Long Beach earn approximately 20% more than the US national median for this role ($132,270 nationally vs $158,724 in Long Beach). However, Long Beach's cost-of-living index of 153 means real purchasing power is approximately $103,741 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Software Engineer earn in Long Beach?
Entry-level Software Engineers in Long Beach typically start at around $114,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Software Engineers earn $210,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $250,344+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Software Engineer salaries in Long Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Software Engineer salaries in Long Beach grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $25,601 in 2025 to $158,724 in 2026 (+$133,123). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Python and TypeScript demand.
What's the job outlook for Software Engineers in Long Beach?
Software developer employment is projected to grow 17% through 2034 — adding 327,900 new jobs. AI and cloud computing demand continues to drive growth, particularly for engineers with ML/AI skills. Long Beach's top industries include Aerospace, Healthcare, Logistics (Port), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Software Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Software Engineers are: Python, TypeScript, AWS/Azure, LLM/RAG, Kubernetes, Go/Rust. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Long Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Software Engineers in Long Beach?
Top employers hiring Software Engineers in or near Long Beach include: Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Stripe. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Software Engineer salary in Long Beach?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my Software Engineer salary in Long Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Python, TypeScript, AWS/Azure) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Google Cloud Professional). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Software Engineer in Long Beach?
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) is the typical path. However, Long Beach's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

Software Engineer salary figures for Long Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($132,270) by Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.20× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Long Beach

Data Scientist →DevOps Engineer →Product Manager →Cybersecurity Analyst →Web Developer →Machine Learning Engineer →

Software Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$169KSan Diego, CA$156KSan Francisco, CA$205KFresno, CA$126KSacramento, CA$143KOakland, CA$185K

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