Software Engineer Salaries
How much does a Software Engineer make in San Jose, CA?
Total pay range
$167K - $254K/yr
$204K/yrMedian total pay
Pay breakdown
$127K - $180K/yrBase pay
$40K - $74K/yrAdditional pay
About our data
Confident
The “Most Likely Range” reflects values within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. Glassdoor salaries are powered by our proprietary machine learning model, which utilizes salaries collected from our users and the latest government data to make pay predictions.
How accurate is a total pay range of $167K-$254K/yr?
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Popular companies for Software Engineers in San Jose, CA
3,081 companies
3,081 Popular companies with Software Engineer
Viewing 1 - 5 of 3081 Results
Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for a Software Engineer in San Jose, CA are Retail & Wholesale with a median total pay of $197,599, Telecommunications with a median total pay of $192,468, Financial Services with a median total pay of $181,146, Healthcare with a median total pay of $179,274, and Information Technology with a median total pay of $177,801.
Top paying companies in Telecommunications for Software Engineer are Juniper Networks, Nokia, and Ciena.
Top paying companies in Financial Services for Software Engineer are BILL, Global Strategic Investments, and JPMorganChase.
The top paying company in Healthcare for Software Engineer is Outset Medical.
Retail & Wholesale
$197,599
Retail & Wholesale
Telecommunications
$192,468
Retail & Wholesale
Financial Services
$181,146
Retail & Wholesale
Healthcare
$179,274
Retail & Wholesale
Information Technology
$177,801
Recent salaries shared by Software Engineer
50 salaries
Job Title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Location
Date submitted
Job Title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Software Engineer
15+ years
$155K - $179K/yr
Laurel, MD
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$155K - $179K/yr
Software Engineer
4-6 years
$171K/yr
$171K • $0
Newark, CA
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$171K/yr
$171K • $0
Software Engineer
7-9 years
$158K - $183K/yr
Austin, TX
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$158K - $183K/yr
Software Engineer
1-3 years
$65K/yr
$65K • $0
East Lansing, MI
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$65K/yr
$65K • $0
Software Engineer
4-6 years
$122K/yr
$115K • $7K
Boulder, CO
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$122K/yr
$115K • $7K
Anonymously share your salary to help the community.
Software Engineer
15+ years
$128K - $149K/yr
Chicago, IL
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$128K - $149K/yr
Software Engineer
4-6 years
$125K - $145K/yr
Atlanta, GA
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$125K - $145K/yr
Software Engineer
4-6 years
$305K/yr
$200K • $105K
San Francisco, CA
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$305K/yr
$200K • $105K
Software Engineer
4-6 years
$182K/yr
$182K • $0
New York, NY
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$182K/yr
$182K • $0
Software Engineer
1-3 years
$99K/yr
$96K • $3K
Grand Prairie, TX
submitted on Jun 2, 2026
$99K/yr
$96K • $3K
Viewing 1 - 10 of 50
Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview
What is the pay outlook for Engineering?
Engineering jobs are in high demand with workers receiving generous compensation packages and bonuses. Engineering offers ample opportunity for growth and development with transferable skills across an array of fields from software, supply chain and logistics to aerospace. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree. To remain competitive, job-seekers should consider specialization or skill-specific programs such as coding boot-camps or certifications.Show more
How does the Software Engineer salary in San Jose, CA compare to the national average salary in US for the same job?
The average salary for a Software Engineer in US is $108,249 per year based on 314,918 salary contributions, which is 23.68% less than the salary for a Software Engineer in San Jose, CA. The cost of living and the local demand for the work are among the factors affecting wages. The top 3 companies in US where a Software Engineer gets the highest compensation are Reed Exhibitions, TikTok and NVIDIA Corporation. Bigger companies typically pay 18.41% more than smaller companies for a Software Engineer.Show more
Frequently asked questions about Software Engineer salaries
How much does a Software Engineer in San Jose, CA make?
The average salary for a Software Engineer is $204,152 per year or $98 per hour in San Jose, CA, which is 36% higher than the national average. Top earners have reported making up to $307,678 (90th percentile). However, the typical pay range in San Jose, CA is between $166,646 (25th percentile) and $254,231 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 113347 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Software Engineer employees in San Jose, CA as of June 2026.
What is the highest salary for a Software Engineer in San Jose, CA?
The highest salary for a Software Engineer in San Jose, CA is $254,231 per year, $21,186 per month or $122 per hour.
What is the lowest salary for a Software Engineer in San Jose, CA?
The lowest salary for a Software Engineer in San Jose, CA is $166,646 per year, $13,887 per month or $80 per hour.
What is the salary trajectory of a Software Engineer?
The salary trajectory of a Software Engineer ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $149,922 per year (estimate) and goes up to $369,202 per year (estimate) for the highest level of seniority.
What is the Salary Trend for Software Engineers?
Software engineers are paid well above average, often receiving six-figure salaries. The pay range reflects the demand for their skillset and the profitability of the products they develop. Candidates with prior experience in the field or higher levels of education generally receive higher salaries. Pay is expected to grow as the digital transformation reaches a global level. Software engineers can further increase their total pay by pursuing freelance consulting opportunities.
Powered by Glassdoor Economic Research
Do Software Engineers Make Good Money in San Jose, CA?
With a post-graduate degree, a couple of years' work experience, and annual bonuses, a software engineer's salary can qualify as good money. Anonymous Glassdoor ratings indicate that around 73% of software engineers are satisfied with their salaries.
How Much Does a Software Engineer Make Over Time in San Jose, CA?
The total pay for software engineers following the average career path can stretch from $139,164.85 to $307,678.22 per year, depending on the level of experience. Total pay includes salaries, bonuses, and other benefits with a monetary value. After working a few years and gaining enough experience, you could enter the ranks of principal software engineers and earn higher total pay.
How to Make More Money as a Software Engineer
If you want to earn more from your career as a software engineer, or you'd like to apply for a new position with a higher salary, ask yourself what you can bring to the table. If you hold an associate's degree, the next step would be to complete your bachelor's in software engineering. And after that, consider acquiring your master's degree or a doctorate.
Learn new skills that are in high demand for your field. Add credibility to your skills by obtaining certifications from well-known authorities such as Microsoft, C (programming language), and CIW.
How to Negotiate a Higher Salary as a Software Engineer
If you enjoy your job as a software engineer but would like to earn a higher salary, you could ask for a salary increase, provided that you can back up your request. If your job responsibilities have multiplied, you've been promoted, or you find out you're being underpaid, consider starting a dialogue with your bosses. Point out what you've brought to the company or any skills and certifications that set you apart. A 3% increase is standard, but ask for more to kick off negotiations.
Software engineers new to a company should highlight their most sought-after skills and experience to motivate a higher starting salary.