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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Software Engineer Salary in Los Angeles: $169K Median

Software Engineers in Los Angeles, CA earn between $111K and $267K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $132,270 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $169,306 per year — +28% above the US national median of $132,270. Salaries range from $110,797 (entry, 25th percentile) to $267,034 (90th percentile). Software Engineers in Los Angeles earned approximately $27,307 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$169,306
+520.0% YoY · $14,109/mo
Entry
$121,600
0–2 years
Experienced
$224,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$267,034
Senior/lead
Software Engineer Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$169K
San Diego
$156K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$205K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$126K
+35% vs Los Angeles

Free ATS scan · Los Angeles employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Software Engineers in Los Angeles

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)

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring Software Engineers

Major employers active in Los Angeles 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 — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$110,797$169,306$267,034
Monthly$9,233$14,109$22,253
Weekly$2,131$3,256$5,135
Hourly$53$81$128

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($132,270) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Software Engineer Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$117,065.821
Per month$9,755
Biweekly paycheck$4,503
Effective tax rate30.9%

Tax Breakdown on $169,306

Gross salary$169,306
Federal income tax−$29,976.44
California state tax−$9,311.83
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$12,951.909
Take-home (net)$117,065.821

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 — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for Software Engineers in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$111,872
2–3 yr$121,600
4–6 yr$172,800
7–10 yr$224,000
11–15 yr$264,320
15+ yr$245,517

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$27,307
2026 median:$169,306
Change:+$141,999

Technology sector growth driven by demand for Python and TypeScript.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$97,865
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 Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $147,223 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

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 $224K–$267K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific Python/TypeScript expertise.

Software Engineer Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles is $169,306 per year as of April 2026 — $14,109/month, $3,256/week, or about $81/hour. Salaries range from $110,797 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $267,034 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $169,306 a good Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $169,306 a real purchasing power of approximately $97,865 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 $169,306 in Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $169,306 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $169,306 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $169,306 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $169,306 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $169,306 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $169,306 each ($338,612 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $169,306 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $169,306 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 Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Los Angeles?
On a $169,306 Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $117,065.821 per year ($9,755/month, $4,503 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $29,976.44, state $9,311.83, FICA $12,951.909. Effective tax rate: 30.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Software Engineers in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
Software Engineers in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($132,270 nationally vs $169,306 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $97,865 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Software Engineer earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Software Engineers in Los Angeles typically start at around $121,600 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Software Engineers earn $224,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $267,034+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Software Engineer salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — Software Engineer salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $27,307 in 2025 to $169,306 in 2026 (+$141,999). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Python and TypeScript demand.
What's the job outlook for Software Engineers in Los Angeles?
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. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — 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 Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring Software Engineers in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring Software Engineers in or near Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience) is the typical path. However, Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($132,270) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — 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 Los Angeles

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

Software Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$156KSan Francisco, CA$205KSeattle, WA$175KWashington, DC$172KBoston, MA$172KFresno, CA$126KSacramento, CA$143KLong Beach, CA$159K

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