# Software Engineer salary in San Diego

> The median posted pay for a Software Engineer in San Diego is $157,500 a year (USD); the middle half of listings sit between $137,096 and $199,375. 86 listings, last 365 days.

Data as of 2026-11-06 · https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/san-diego

- Median posted pay: $157,500
- 25th to 75th: $137,096 to $199,375
- Listings with pay: 86

## By level

**Software Engineer posted annual pay in San Diego (USD)**

| Level | Listings | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unspecified | 44 | $129,750 | $157,500 | $170,625 |
| Mid-level | 3 | $88,920 | $109,200 | $112,600 |
| Senior | 16 | $145,250 | $158,250 | $200,250 |
| Manager | 4 | $148,078 | $153,320 | $159,413 |
| Staff | 11 | $189,550 | $204,000 | $233,900 |
| Director+ | 4 | $204,920 | $237,000 | $261,875 |

## Method

- Each figure is the midpoint of a pay range that an employer posted on a live Software Engineer listing in San Diego, annualised, over the last 365 days (86 listings).
- It is posted pay, not what people are paid. Many employers post a range, then hire anywhere inside it.
- Percentiles are shown only where at least 3 listings back them.
## More

- [Software Engineer salary by city](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer)
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- [Software Engineer salary in Boston](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/boston)
- [Software Engineer salary in Chicago](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/chicago)
- [Software Engineer salary in Dallas](https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/dallas)

## Questions

### What is the average Software Engineer salary in San Diego?

The median posted pay is $157,500 a year, based on 86 live listings with a stated range in the last 365 days. The middle half is $137,096 to $199,375.

### Is this what Software Engineers actually earn?

No. It is the pay employers posted on open listings, which is a range they intend to hire within, not reported earnings.

### How does Software Engineer pay change with level in San Diego?

Unspecified: median $157,500 (44 listings); Mid-level: median $109,200 (3 listings); Senior: median $158,250 (16 listings); Manager: median $153,320 (4 listings).

## Cite

Alder. "Software Engineer salary in San Diego". Data as of 2026-11-06. https://alderhq.app/salaries/software-engineer/san-diego