Research Summary. Following comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the current salary data for senior Java developers across the United States.
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California retains the position of the highest-paying state for senior Java developers, offering an average salary of $121,777.
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Wyoming has the lowest average salary at $87,143 for senior Java developers.
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The national average salary for senior Java developers is $106,767.
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The national hourly wage for senior Java developers stands at $51.33.
For further details, refer to our methodology.
Background
In surveys conducted across various demographics, salary continues to be the foremost factor for job seekers—especially for roles in technology like senior Java developers. Understanding how much you can expect to earn in your area is crucial for making informed career decisions.
While local salaries may vary, the average salaries by state provide a reliable gauge of what to anticipate in terms of compensation.
As of 2026, California remains the top state for senior Java developer salaries.
Here is a concise overview of the top ten states for senior Java developer salaries:
Let’s explore how we arrived at these figures and provide a comprehensive ranking of all the states.
Highest-Paid Senior Java Developers By State
| Rank | State | Average Senior Java Developer Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $121,777 | $92,000 | $160,000 |
| 2 | Washington | $117,729 | $90,000 | $153,000 |
| 3 | New York | $110,747 | $86,000 | $142,000 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $110,306 | $85,000 | $141,000 |
| 5 | Oregon | $109,951 | $83,000 | $144,000 |
| 6 | South Carolina | $108,539 | $84,000 | $139,000 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $108,256 | $84,000 | $138,000 |
| 8 | Maryland | $107,697 | $83,000 | $138,000 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $107,303 | $84,000 | $136,000 |
| 10 | Oklahoma | $106,911 | $83,000 | $137,000 |
| 11 | Nevada | $105,798 | $80,000 | $139,000 |
| 12 | South Dakota | $105,144 | $82,000 | $133,000 |
| 13 | Arizona | $104,952 | $80,000 | $136,000 |
| 14 | Alabama | $104,778 | $81,000 | $134,000 |
| 15 | Virginia | $104,049 | $80,000 | $134,000 |
| 16 | North Carolina | $103,668 | $80,000 | $133,000 |
| 17 | Delaware | $103,367 | $80,000 | $133,000 |
| 18 | Alaska | $103,103 | $88,000 | $120,000 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $102,003 | $79,000 | $131,000 |
| 20 | Texas | $100,855 | $77,000 | $130,000 |
| 21 | Utah | $100,825 | $77,000 | $130,000 |
| 22 | Georgia | $100,475 | $78,000 | $129,000 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $100,251 | $82,000 | $121,000 |
| 24 | Maine | $100,217 | $79,000 | $125,000 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $99,867 | $78,000 | $126,000 |
| 26 | Ohio | $98,674 | $76,000 | $126,000 |
| 27 | Florida | $98,595 | $76,000 | $127,000 |
| 28 | Louisiana | $98,016 | $75,000 | $126,000 |
| 29 | Michigan | $97,617 | $76,000 | $125,000 |
| 30 | Illinois | $97,581 | $76,000 | $124,000 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $97,223 | $75,000 | $125,000 |
| 32 | Rhode Island | $96,916 | $75,000 | $123,000 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $96,031 | $74,000 | $123,000 |
| 34 | Vermont | $95,984 | $76,000 | $121,000 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $95,932 | $76,000 | $120,000 |
| 36 | Missouri | $95,877 | $74,000 | $122,000 |
| 37 | Colorado | $95,337 | $74,000 | $122,000 |
| 38 | New Hampshire | $94,860 | $74,000 | $120,000 |
| 39 | Idaho | $93,319 | $71,000 | $121,000 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $92,327 | $72,000 | $117,000 |
| 41 | Montana | $92,308 | $72,000 | $117,000 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $92,255 | $71,000 | $118,000 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $91,912 | $70,000 | $119,000 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $91,782 | $71,000 | $117,000 |
| 45 | Wisconsin | $91,031 | $71,000 | $116,000 |
| 46 | Kansas | $90,627 | $70,000 | $116,000 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $89,953 | $69,000 | $115,000 |
| 48 | Iowa | $87,992 | $68,000 | $112,000 |
| 49 | Indiana | $87,816 | $68,000 | $112,000 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $87,143 | $68,000 | $111,000 |
Methodology: Senior Java Developer Salary By State
To gain insights into senior Java developer salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and job postings. We calculated a weighted average to reflect the most accurate salary data for senior Java developers across different states.
Senior Java Developer Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for senior Java developers?
The highest-paid state for senior Java developers is California with an average salary of $121,777 per year.
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What city pays senior Java developers the most?
San Francisco, CA pays senior Java developers the highest average salary of $129,900 per year.
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What is the worst state for senior Java developers?
The state with the lowest average salary for senior Java developers is Wyoming, with an average salary of $87,143 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
