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IT Applications Developer Salary in California

How much does an IT Applications Developer make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an IT Applications Developer in California is $139,308 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

However, an IT Applications Developer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $162,432
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $129,044 to $151,412
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $119,700
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out IT Applications Developer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence IT Applications Developer Salaries

An IT Applications Developer'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 IT Applications Developer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an IT Applications Developer'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): $81,400
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $106,291
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $136,786
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $160,316
  • Expert (over 8 years): $186,324
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Applications Programmer I less than 1 year $81,400
Applications Programmer II 1-2 years $106,291
IT Applications Developer 2-4 years $136,786
Applications Programmer IV 5-8 years $160,316
Applications Programmer V over 8 years $186,324

How Do IT Applications Developer 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 IT Applications Developers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $139,838.
  • California: $139,308.
  • Massachusetts: $137,451.

Top Paying Cities for IT Applications Developer

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: $139,548
  • West Hollywood: $139,447
  • Dodgertown: $139,547

IT Applications Developer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For IT Applications Developer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, IT Applications Developer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view IT Applications Developer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an IT Applications Developer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $181,100 $87.0 30%
Financial Services $167,169 $80.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $160,204 $77.0 15%
Biotechnology $153,239 $74.0 10%
Internet $153,239 $74.0 10%

IT Applications Developer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an IT Applications Developer'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
$129,044
Average $139,308/year
$151,412
$10,754
Average $11,609/month
$12,618
$2,482
Average $2,679/week
$2,912
$62
Average $67/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,412 $12,618 $2,912 $73
Average $139,308 $11,609 $2,679 $67
25th Percentile $129,044 $10,754 $2,482 $62

Find Your Next IT Applications Developer Job

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

  • cFive Solutions, Inc | Anaheim, CA

    Senior Applications Developer

    cFive Solutions, Inc | Anaheim, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. cFive Solutions, Inc. (cFive) provides software that aids community supervision agencies in their mission to reduce recid... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Delta Dental of California | Rancho Cordova, CA

    Director IT Applications Development and Interoperability

    Delta Dental of California | Rancho Cordova, CA

    JOB DESCRIPTIONThis position is offered in a hybrid work model for candidates located near one of our primary sites in Alpharetta, GA. Oakland, San Francis... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Lre | Palo Alto, CA

    Team Lead

    Lre | Palo Alto, CA

    Ein innovatives Unternehmen der medizinischen Diagnostik sucht einen erfahrenen Teamlead Application & IT-Projekte f r die Verantwortung in einem motiviert... more

    6 Days Ago

  • BridgeBio | San Francisco, CA

    Senior Marketing Applications Lead

    BridgeBio | San Francisco, CA

    Sr. Manager, IT Marketing Applications LeadMavericks WantedWhen was the last time you achieved the impossible. If that thought feels overwhelming, you migh... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Zoox | San Mateo, CA

    Software Engineering Manager

    Zoox | San Mateo, CA

    Enterprise Applications Engineering Team LeaderThe Enterprise Applications Engineering team is the central software innovation partner for all of Zoox. We ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Irvine Technology Corporation | Irvine, CA

    Sr IT Project Manager

    Irvine Technology Corporation | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Sr. IT Project Manager (Enterprise Applications). Our client is seeking a Sr. IT Project Manager to lead complex, enterpr... more

    6 Days Ago

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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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