Software Engineer Salary in San Diego

💰 $169K–$242K salary range

Median: $203K  ·  Based on 25 public job postings  ·  Updated October 7, 2026

This Software Engineer salary benchmark for San Diego is built from public job postings at high-growth and AI-native companies — no private placement data. Figures reflect base salary and are refreshed as new postings are collected.

📊 Salary breakdown

Software Engineer pay in San Diego vs. national

• San Diego: $203K median
• National: $160K median

San Diego Software Engineer pay runs 27% above the national median.

What does a Software Engineer in San Diego do?

Software Engineers are engineers who design, build, and operate the core software systems. This benchmark reflects Mid-level base compensation for San Diego-based roles at high-growth and AI-native companies.

Common questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary in San Diego?
The median pay is $203K, with a typical range of $169K–$242K, based on 25 public San Diego job postings collected in 2025–2026.

How does San Diego compare to the national Software Engineer salary?
The national median is $160K; San Diego is shown above.

Where does this data come from?
Public job postings on company career pages — no private placement or client data. Minimum 15 San Diego postings.

Methodology

Posted-range midpoints (USD) aggregated from 25 public job postings located in San Diego (2025–2026). Range = 25th–75th percentile; median = 50th percentile. Equity is excluded. At least 15 San Diego postings required to publish. Last refreshed October 7, 2026.

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