Software Developers Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a software developers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $163,020/year ($78.38/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $99K at the entry level to $213K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $149,835 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 32.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $163K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About software developers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level software developers (10th percentile) start around $99K. Mid-career wages sit at $163K.Top earners bring in $213K or more - a $114K spread from bottom to top.
Software Developers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $171K | +28% | 292,630 |
| Washington | $167K | +25% | 91,470 |
| New York | $161K | +21% | 104,130 |
| Massachusetts | $151K | +13% | 54,260 |
| Maryland | $138K | +4% | 31,940 |
| District of Columbia | $136K | +2% | 8,250 |
| Oregon | $135K | +2% | 21,100 |
| Delaware | $135K | +2% | 3,850 |
| Virginia | $134K | +1% | 83,290 |
| New Hampshire | $132K | -0% | 8,010 |
| New Jersey | $132K | -1% | 57,120 |
| North Carolina | $131K | -2% | 57,590 |
| Connecticut | $131K | -2% | 16,490 |
| Vermont | $131K | -2% | N/A |
| Texas | $131K | -2% | 151,460 |
Track software developers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do software developers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $163,020 a year - that works out to about $78.38 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $99,360, and experienced software developers can clear $213,440. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $163K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,240/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 33.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a software developers salary go in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median software developers salary is worth about $149,835 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do software developers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.