Software Developers salary
in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Software Developers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro earn a median of $156,910 a year, based on BLS estimates for 540 jobs (May 2025). That is 15% above the U.S. median of $135,980 and 10% below the CA statewide median of $174,410. It ranks #13 of 339 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE540 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
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EMPLOYERS FILING FOR THIS JOB IN SANTA CRUZ · VISA-SPONSORED BASE WAGES
Median of each employer’s DOL LCA filings (5+ filings) in this metro, FY2026 Q3. Covers sponsored positions only.
SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS PAY IN OTHER CA METROS
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CAmedian $213,110
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CAmedian $186,640
- San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CAmedian $163,270
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CAmedian $160,920
- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CAmedian $159,430
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CAmedian $158,290
- Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CAmedian $148,630
- Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CAmedian $139,640
Questions
What is the average Software Developers salary in Santa Cruz?
The BLS median is $156,910 a year (May 2025). Half of the 540 jobs pay between $124,210 and $175,720. The 10th percentile is $92,520 and the 90th is $209,260.
Is Santa Cruz a high-paying metro for Software Developers?
That is 15% above the U.S. median of $135,980 and 10% below the CA statewide median of $174,410. It ranks #13 of 339 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Which employers pay Software Developers the most in Santa Cruz?
Among employers with 5+ visa-sponsored filings here, the highest medians were Joby Aero ($187,100), Amazon ($162,880). These are base wages for sponsored positions, not all employees.
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.