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Entry Programmer Salary in California

How much does an Entry Programmer make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Programmer in California is $85,389 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, an Entry Programmer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $98,657
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $79,610 to $92,334
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,348
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Entry Programmer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Entry Programmer Salaries

An Entry Programmer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Programmer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Programmer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $83,942
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $102,202
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,791
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $140,310
  • Expert (over 8 years): $167,578
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Programmer less than 1 year $83,942
Civil Engineer II 1-2 years $102,202
Civil Engineer III 2-4 years $119,791
Civil Engineer IV 5-8 years $140,310
Civil Engineer V over 8 years $167,578

How Do Entry Programmer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Programmers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $85,714.
  • California: $85,389.
  • Massachusetts: $84,251.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Programmer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $85,536
  • West Hollywood: $85,474
  • Dodgertown: $85,535

Entry Programmer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Programmer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Entry Programmer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Programmer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Programmer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities $111,005 $53.0 30%
Insurance $106,736 $51.0 25%
Biotechnology $102,466 $49.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $102,466 $49.0 20%
Software & Networking $98,197 $47.0 15%

Entry Programmer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Programmer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$79,610
Average $85,389/year
$92,334
$6,634
Average $7,116/month
$7,694
$1,531
Average $1,642/week
$1,776
$38
Average $41/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $92,334 $7,694 $1,776 $44
Average $85,389 $7,116 $1,642 $41
25th Percentile $79,610 $6,634 $1,531 $38

Find Your Next Entry Programmer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Programmer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Orchid Orthopedic Solutions | ARAB, AL

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    Orchid Orthopedic Solutions | ARAB, AL

    At a Glance Company: Orchid Orthopedic Solutions Location: Arab, Alabama Job Type: Full-Time Pay Range: $33 – $36/hour (DOE) Shift: 1st Shift | Monday–Frid... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Colinear Aerospace | SPARTA, NJ

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    Colinear Aerospace | SPARTA, NJ

    At a Glance Company: Colinear Aerospace Location: Sparta, New Jersey Job Type: Full-Time Pay Range: Competitive / DOE Shift: Day Shift Overtime: As needed ... more

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  • Orion Castings | BILLERICA, MA

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    Orion Castings | BILLERICA, MA

    Company: Orion Castings | Location: North Billerica, MA 01862 | Pay: $36.00–$44.00/hour | Job Type: Full-Time | Shift: 1st Shift | Experience: 3-5 years CM... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Able Medical Devices | MARQUETTE, MI

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    Able Medical Devices | MARQUETTE, MI

    At a glance Company: Able Medical Devices Location: Marquette, MI 49855 Job Type: Full-Time Machines: CNC Equipment, Manual Lathe, Mill & Grinding Software... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Brixey & Meyer | DAYTON, OH

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    Brixey & Meyer | DAYTON, OH

    Elliott Tool Technologies, a client of Brixey and Meyer, is seeking a CNC Programmer to join their team. Full-time | First Shift (7am–4pm or 8am–5pm) | Ons... more

    7 Days Ago

  • DW Products | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

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    DW Products | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

    At a Glance Company: DW Screw Machine Products Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Job Type: Full-Time Salary: $85,000–$90,000 per year (DOE) Schedule: 1st Shift ... more

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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