2025 Orange County IT Salary Guide

With data on 100+ tech salary ranges, leverage the 2025 Orange County IT Salary Guide. For SoCal job seekers, it offers crucial information to navigate the tech job market, while hiring managers can make informed decisions in their recruitment strategies.

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IT Salaries and Tech Market Insights for Orange County in 2025

With tech unemployment rates lower than the national average, companies in Irvine are actively seeking to fill IT positions. Navigating the market is challenging, even in a city ranked top 10 for livability when it comes to tech workers.

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Map Out Your 2025 Strategy

for the Orange County Tech Hiring Market

After five years of fluctuations, the tech industry in Orange County, along with the rest of the nation, is finally stabilizing. Southern California is one of the most competitive areas for salary value when it comes to livability for tech workers, in the top 25 for tech cities overall.

 

National tech job postings now exceed 500,000 every month, with artificial intelligence actually leading the charge for job growth despite fears of layoffs due to the technology.

 

As a growing tech hub, Irvine job seekers and hiring managers need relevant data and insights to navigate this ever-changing market effectively.

 

Motion's Orange County IT Salary Guide explores what's impacting the tech job market and starting salary data for top tech roles in Irvine.

9%

salaries above the national average

The average tech salary for the Orange County region is 9% above the national average, with a higher cost of living and increased demand for tech talent.

$8k

Upskilling is leading to career and salary growth

Employees who complete an upskilling program have seen salary jumps of 8.6%, up to $8,000. Irvine tech workers should find ways to enhance their skill set if possible.

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Emerging Tech in Orange County: AI and Beyond

In the diverse tech scene of Orange County, AI remains a focal point for startups, investors and businesses. Meanwhile, technologies like quantum computing, cybersecurity automation, next gen gaming and green tech are advancing and creating job opportunities, fueled by private and public funding.

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Q: What advice would you give tech job seekers and hiring managers for 2025?

From John Rosenbaum, Chief Information Officer at Motion Recruitment

"Navigating the tech industry in 2025 will demand more than technical expertise; it will require adaptability, continuous learning, and the ability to navigate the evolving landscape of AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. With a growing shift toward skills-based hiring, job seekers must highlight their impact and practical abilities. Similarly, employers should prioritize proven outcomes and demonstrated expertise to make more strategic hiring decisions."

 

What will I find in Motion's IT Salary Guide?

What Tech Job Data and Trends are Covered in the Guide?
  • The state of tech employment in 2025, with the impact of layoffs, economic conditions, IT job creation and the tech talent shortage.

  • How the tech industry has finally stabilized after five years of peaks and valleys.

  • Emerging technology: Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and more: the tech skills and sectors businesses are hiring for in 2025.

  • Tech hiring and workplace trends, including tech workers heading back to the office, the move to skills-based hiring, and the golden generation in tech.

  • Advice from market experts on what you can do to succeed in 2025.
What valuable insights into IT salary data can I discover?

You will find starting salaries for mid and senior level ranges for over 100 specific job titles across technology areas. There are also city-specific variances included, which you can use to measure the regional salary ranges per tech job.

 

You will see IT salaries for top roles from the most in demand technology areas: Software, Data & AI, Security, Infrastructure & DevOps, Mobile, Functional, Product & UX and Executive.

Previous Salary Guides

Tech Hiring Market
Mid-Year Update 2024

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Tech Salary Guide
North America 2024

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Tech Salary Guide
North America 2023

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good IT Salary in Irvine Orange County?

In Irvine, Orange County, a good IT salary can vary depending on the specific role and level of experience. Here are some examples: 

  • Software Developer: Mid-level salaries range from $109,033 to $142,657, while senior-level salaries range from $134,504 to $168,247. 
  • Front End Developer: Mid-level salaries range from $111,010 to $138,518, and senior-level salaries range from $122,140 to $161,197. 
  • Back End Developer: Mid-level salaries range from $120,928 to $163,035, escalating to $143,906 to $180,625 for senior-level positions. 
  • Full Stack Software Developer: The range for mid-level positions is $118,683 to $148,390, and for senior-level positions, it's $136,750 to $168,171. 

 
These figures can serve as a guide for what constitutes a competitive salary in the IT field in Irvine, Orange County. 

What IT job has the highest salary in Irvine Orange County?

The IT job with the highest salary in Irvine Orange County is the DevSecOps Architect/Coach, with a senior-level salary range of $169,870 to $204,690

Have IT salaries increased in Philadelphia in 2024?

IT salaries in Irvine Orange County have experienced an increase in 2024. The overall trend for the tech industry in 2024 shows a cautious but steady rise in salaries across various tech sectors. This growth reflects a more mature and sustainable expansion compared to previous years.

What impacted IT job growth in Philadelphia?

Orange County IT job growth in 2024 was influenced by several key factors: 

  1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning roles were among the highest priorities for many businesses looking to transform in the upcoming years. There was a significant focus on reskilling in AI and Big Data, driven by substantial investments and expected market revenue growth.

  2. Generative AI Technology: There's a marked growth in generative AI technologies, which impacted job growth through increased demand for tech professionals skilled in these areas. Companies were investing heavily in AI processors within data centers, leading to an estimated quadrupling of spending by 2025.

  3. Compensation and Talent Availability: High compensation for AI-focused roles was notable, with some roles offering significant salary boosts compared to non-AI roles. The availability of skilled candidates in AI, although challenging, improved year-over-year, which influenced job market dynamics. 

These trends highlight how technological advancements, particularly in AI, impacted the Orange County IT job market in 2024.