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Software Engineer Salary in Los Angeles, CA

Software Engineer salary data for Los Angeles, CA — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

Software Engineer Salary in Los Angeles, CA — 2026

The median Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $200,860 per year ($16,738/month, $97/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 166, which is 66% above the national average.

Entry Level
$125K
$60/hr
Median
$201K
$97/hr
Senior
$284K
$136/hr
Top Earner
$337K
$162/hr

Software Engineer Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$200,860
Federal Tax-$37,453
State Tax (9.3%)-$18,680
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$13,831
Annual Take-Home$130,896
Monthly Take-Home$10,908

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$2,650/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio15.8%
Median Home Price$830,000
Cost of Living Index166
City Median Salary$75,200
Software Engineer vs City Median+$125,660

Software Engineer Requirements

Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Job Growth
25.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitAWS

Los Angeles Job Market Overview

Los Angeles, California has a population of 3,898,747 and an unemployment rate of 4.8%. The top industries are Entertainment, Technology, Healthcare. The local job growth rate is 1.8%, and the average commute time is 31 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The median Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $200,860 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 166. Entry-level Software Engineers earn around $124,500, while senior-level professionals can earn $283,860 or more.
How much does a Software Engineer take home in Los Angeles after taxes?
A Software Engineer earning the median salary of $200,860 in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $130,896 per year ($10,908/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 34.8%.
Is Los Angeles a good city for Software Engineers?
Los Angeles, CA has a cost of living index of 166 (above national average). Software Engineers here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.8% and top industries include Entertainment, Technology, Healthcare.
What skills are needed for a Software Engineer in Los Angeles?
Key skills for Software Engineers include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git, AWS. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include AWS Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional.
How does Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles compare to the national average?
The national median Software Engineer salary is $121,000. In Los Angeles, the adjusted salary is $200,860, which is 66.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?

The median Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $200,860 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 166. Entry-level Software Engineers earn around $124,500, while senior-level professionals can earn $283,860 or more.

How much does a Software Engineer take home in Los Angeles after taxes?

A Software Engineer earning the median salary of $200,860 in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $130,896 per year ($10,908/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 34.8%.

Is Los Angeles a good city for Software Engineers?

Los Angeles, CA has a cost of living index of 166 (above national average). Software Engineers here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.8% and top industries include Entertainment, Technology, Healthcare.

What skills are needed for a Software Engineer in Los Angeles?

Key skills for Software Engineers include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git, AWS. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include AWS Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional.

How does Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles compare to the national average?

The national median Software Engineer salary is $121,000. In Los Angeles, the adjusted salary is $200,860, which is 66.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.