TechnologyBLS OESTech HubCA Pay Transparency

AR/VR Developer Salary in Los Angeles

2026 · Official labour data · 8 comparison cities

$152,106/yr

Last updated: July 2026 · Source: BLS OES Survey · 1.1M employer sample

Typical range: $120,955 $191,280

Very High Confidence · 100/100

How much does a AR/VR Developer make in Los Angeles, CA?

A AR/VR Developer in Los Angeles earns a median of $152,106/year (about $73/hour). Most earn between $120,955 (25th percentile) and $191,280 (75th percentile); top earners (90th percentile) make $235,205 or more — 12% above the US average. Figures are from BLS employer payroll data, not self-reports.

$98,366
Entry (P10)
$152,106
Median (P50)
$191,280
Top 25% (P75)
$235,205
Top 10% (P90)

Understanding these AR/VR Developer salary numbers

We report percentiles, not a single average, because pay isn't evenly spread — a handful of very high earners would drag an average upward and mislead you. Here's exactly what each figure means.

Median (P50) — $152,106

Half of AR/VR Developers in Los Angeles earn more than this and half earn less. It's the most honest "typical" salary — better than an average, which gets skewed by a few top earners.

25th percentile (P25) — $120,955

The lower end of the typical range: 75% of AR/VR Developers earn more than this. It's common for early-career roles or lower-cost employers. Earning below it is grounds to negotiate.

75th percentile (P75) — $191,280

Your negotiation target: only 25% of AR/VR Developers earn above it. Reaching P75 usually means seniority, in-demand specialisations, or simply negotiating from data. See how to negotiate.

90th percentile (P90) — $235,205

Top earners: only 10% of AR/VR Developers make this or more — typically senior, highly specialised, or at the best-paying employers.

Gross vs after-tax pay

These figures are gross (before tax). What actually reaches your account depends on your country, state, and deductions. Estimate your net with the take-home calculator.

National vs Los Angeles pay

City figures apply the local market premium to BLS data, so Los Angeles differs from the US average by +12%. A higher number isn't always better once cost of living is counted.

Hourly rate — $73/hr

The hourly figure is the annual median divided by 2,080 (40 hours × 52 weeks). If you regularly work more than 40 hours, your real hourly rate is lower than this. Convert any salary with the salary calculator.

Why this differs from Glassdoor or Payscale

Those sites publish what people say they earn (self-reports), which skew high because higher earners report more often. Our figures come from mandatory employer payroll records (BLS OEWS), so they reflect the whole market — not just a vocal subset.

How current and reliable is this number?

This page carries a confidence score of 100/100, based on the data source and coverage. US figures track the latest BLS release and refresh automatically; international figures use OECD/ILO data. See the changelog for live data freshness.

What counts as a "good" AR/VR Developer salary in Los Angeles?

Around the median ($152,106) is solid and $191,280+ is strong — but "good" really depends on local costs. Check what the number is actually worth with the good-salary breakdown for Los Angeles.

Still curious how we get these numbers? Every figure is traceable to a primary source — see the full methodology and data sources.

Cite or reuse this data

AR/VR Developer salary in Los Angeles, CA: median $152,106 (P75 $191,280), per BLS OEWS via Official Salary, 2026.

Free JSON: /api/salary?job=ar-vr-developer&city=los-angeles — no key. API & widgets →

Key insights for AR/VR Developers in Los Angeles

✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated July 2026Source: BLS OES 2026Confidence: LowMethodology
  • AR/VR Developers in Los Angeles earn about 12% more than the national median for the role ($152K vs $136K).
  • Cost of living in Los Angeles runs about 38% above the US average, so $152K is worth roughly $110K at national prices.
  • After a simplified take-home estimate, $152K nets about $106K/yr — roughly $60K/yr left after typical single-person living costs here.
  • Pay climbs with seniority: a senior/staff AR/VR Developer reaches about $225K — a +48% step from mid-level.
Official Salary Verdict™
Typical Range

AR/VR Developers in Los Angeles typically earn $121K–$191K a year.

Market Median

The market median is $152K — half earn above, half earn below.

Top Earners

Top earners (top 10%) make $235K or more.

High-Paying Role

Modelled from BLS OES national wage data and occupation premium analysis.

Official government labour statistics (BLS OEWS)Updated monthly via BLS APIHuman-reviewed methodologyConfidence Score: 100/100Editorial policy →

AR/VR Developer Salary Analysis — Los Angeles

AR/VR Developers in Los Angeles earn a median salary of $152K, which is 12% above the national median of $136K. Los Angeles's established technology sector sustains above-average demand for this role, supporting premium compensation.

Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and employer payroll records. Figures represent the median (P50) across all experience levels in Los Angeles.

Cost of Living Adjustment

Los Angeles's cost of living is 38% above the US average. Your $152K salary has the equivalent purchasing power of approximately $110K in a city with average US living costs.

$152K
Nominal salary
+38%
CoL vs US avg
$110K
Real value

Salary Distribution — Los Angeles

5-band distribution from employer payroll records

P10Entry Level
$98,366

New graduates, 0–1 yr exp

P2525th Percentile
$120,955

1–3 years experience

P50Median
$152,106

3–7 years, typical professional

P7575th Percentile
$191,280

Senior / high-performer — target

P90Top 10%
$235,205

Staff / principal / lead

AR/VR Developer salary chart for Los Angeles, CA, 2026: median $152K, top 25% earn $191K+, from BLS employer payroll data
AR/VR Developer pay in Los Angeles — free to share with attributionDownload chart
+12%
vs US avg
+38%
demand growth
Low
AI risk
Data Confidence
100/100A+
BLS.OEWS.2026.v2Updated Jul 31, 2026

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Official Salary Fair Pay Score™

Is $152K a good salary for AR/VR Developer in Los Angeles?

Based on BLS data for 152,106 comparable professionals in this role

50
You're paid above average

You're earning above the median — in the top half of this role's salary range.

Bottom 10%: $98K·Median: $152K·Top 10%: $235K
Underpaid← MedianTop earner
Adjusted · 89% confidenceSource reliability: 40/40 (BLS)

Why This Salary?

How we arrived at $152K for AR/VR Developers in Los Angeles

+12%
CA market level
CA pays 12% above the global baseline for this profession.
+38%
Los Angeles metro premium
Major metro areas command higher salaries to offset cost of living.
+10%
High demand for AR/VR Developers
38% projected job growth creates upward wage pressure.

Source: BLS OES. All figures reflect 2026 market conditions.

AR/VR Developer Salary by Experience Level in Los Angeles

How compensation grows from entry-level through staff / lead

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyHourly
Entry00 yrs$103,432$8,619$50
Junior22 yrs$127,769$10,647$61
Mid-LevelTypical44 yrs$143,994$12,000$69
Senior66 yrs$166,708$13,892$80
Staff1010 yrs$225,117$18,760$108
Principal1414 yrs$282,309$23,526$136
Distinguished1818 yrs$296,607$24,717$143

Based on BLS OEWS percentile distribution. Actual salary depends on employer, skills, and negotiation.

Skills That Earn More — AR/VR Developer

Estimated premium above the Los Angeles median based on market demand

Unity+5% ≈ +$8K/yr
Unreal Engine+7% ≈ +$11K/yr
C#+4% ≈ +$6K/yr
3D Modelling+4% ≈ +$6K/yr
OpenXR+4% ≈ +$6K/yr

Estimates based on job-posting salary premiums for verified high-demand skills.

AR/VR Developer Intelligence Report

Career metrics and full compensation breakdown — from BLS demand data

Career Opportunity Score

Composite: demand growth × 1.4 + (100 − AI risk) × 0.4

A82/100
High RiskModerateExceptional
Demand Growth+38%/yr
AI Displacement Risk28% — Low
Risk-Adj. Salary Growth+4.8%/yr
Strong: Strong tailwinds. Salary growth should outpace inflation for the next 5–8 years.
$167K
In 2 yrs
$192K
In 5 yrs
$244K
In 10 yrs

Total Compensation — AR/VR Developer

Beyond base salary: bonus, equity, and benefits

Total Comp Range
$236K$262K
per year
Base (61%)Bonus (10%)Equity (15%)Benefits (13%)
Base Salary
Median market rate
$152,106
Annual Bonus
Typical: 8–25% of base
$25,098
Equity (annualised)
~25% of base — RSUs/options
$38,027
Benefits Value
~22% — healthcare, 401k, PTO
$33,463
Total Comp (mid)
$248,694

Bonus, equity, and benefits are modelled estimates from category norms (not scraped from any single employer); base is BLS. Actual total comp varies by employer, level, and negotiation.

Typical Benefits for AR/VR Developers

— show

Often adds 20–35% to your effective pay

Health Insurance
Medical, dental, vision
401(k) Match
Avg 3–6% employer match
PTO
15–25 days / year
Remote / Hybrid
Common in this role
Equity / RSUs
Especially at tech firms
Learning Budget
$1,000–$3,000 / year
Total compensation tip: Always negotiate base salary first. Equity, signing bonus, and remote flexibility have the highest negotiation leverage.

Compare AR/VR Developer Salaries by City

How Los Angeles, CA stacks up against other major markets

CityMedianP75vs US avg
Los Angeles, CA (current)$152,106$191,280++12%
New York, NY$166,830$205,970++23%
San Francisco, CA$194,489$244,578++43%
Seattle, WA$188,885$237,531++39%
Austin, TX$153,759$193,359++13%
Boston, MA$172,806$217,311++27%
Chicago, IL$144,495$181,709++6%
Denver, CO$164,153$206,429++21%
Washington DC, DC$184,937$232,566++36%

Official Salary Career GPS™

What should I do next as a AR/VR Developer?

O*NET · US Dept of Labor

Higher-paying roles in the same field

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average AR/VR Developer salary in Los Angeles, CA?

The median AR/VR Developer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $152K per year (2026), based on BLS OEWS employer payroll data from 1.1 million employers. The top 25% earn $191K+ per year.

What is a good AR/VR Developer salary in Los Angeles, CA?

The 75th percentile ($191K/yr) is the professional benchmark — what the top quarter already earns. It's a documented, negotiable target backed by BLS payroll data. Anything above the median ($152K) is above-average for this role in Los Angeles, CA.

How much does a AR/VR Developer earn per hour in Los Angeles, CA?

Based on the median annual salary of $152K, a AR/VR Developer in Los Angeles, CA earns approximately $73/hr (2,080-hour work year). The P75 rate is ~$92/hr.

Is Los Angeles, CA a good market for AR/VR Developers?

Los Angeles, CA pays 12% above the US national average for this role. Demand for AR/VR Developers is growing 38% annually, and AI automation risk is rated low for this occupation.

How do I negotiate a higher AR/VR Developer salary in Los Angeles, CA?

Cite the BLS P75 figure ($191K) — it is verifiable public data from government payroll records. Request the full compensation package: base + equity/bonus + benefits. Timing matters: negotiate at the offer stage, not after acceptance. Counter with a specific number, not a range.

What is the entry-level AR/VR Developer salary in Los Angeles, CA?

Entry-level AR/VR Developers in Los Angeles, CA (10th–25th percentile) earn roughly $98K–$121K per year, rising toward the $152K median with experience and in-demand skills.

What does a senior AR/VR Developer earn in Los Angeles, CA?

Senior AR/VR Developers in Los Angeles, CA — the top quartile up to the 90th percentile — earn about $191K–$235K per year, with the top 10% making $235K+.

How Is This Salary Calculated?

Every number is derived from a transparent, reproducible methodology — no estimates, no black boxes.

Where does the salary data come from?

All US figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey — a mandatory biannual survey of 1.1 million US employers who report actual payroll data.

How is the Los Angeles figure calculated?

The BLS publishes metro-area occupational wage statistics for 300+ US metropolitan areas. For Los Angeles, Official Salary uses the BLS metro premium ratio (metro median ÷ national median) and applies it to the national baseline.

What do P10, P25, P50, P75, and P90 mean?

These are salary percentiles from employer payroll records. P50 (median) means 50% of workers earn less. P75 means 75% earn less — this is the recommended negotiation anchor. P10 and P90 represent the bottom 10% and top 10% respectively.

How is take-home pay estimated?

Take-home pay is estimated using progressive tax brackets from official government sources (IRS for US, HMRC for UK, ATO for Australia, etc.). Social contributions (National Insurance, FICA, etc.) are added. These are estimates — actual take-home depends on deductions, filing status, and location.

How often is data updated?

US BLS salary data refreshes every 24 hours via the BLS public API. OECD international wages refresh monthly. ECB currency rates refresh every 4 hours.

Full formulas and source citations on the methodology page.

What a AR/VR Developer salary really means in Los Angeles

Take-home pay, rent affordability, and remote benchmarking — on the $152,106 median.

Estimated take-home

$114,426/yr

$9,536/month net

Gross median
$152,106
Income tax
$26,044
Social / FICA
$11,636
Effective rate
25%

Federal income tax only (FICA included). State income tax varies. Single-filer estimate — not tax advice.

Rent affordability

17%

of take-home on a typical 1-bed (~$1,621/mo)

The 30% rule says housing should stay under 30% of take-home. Here it's comfortably within that line. After all living costs (~$3,860/mo), roughly $5,676/mo is left to save or invest.

Cost-of-living estimate for Los Angeles; rent ≈ 42% of budget.

Remote vs onsite

$135,980$152,106

typical fully-remote benchmark range

Onsite AR/VR Developers in Los Angeles earn the local median of $152,106. Fully-remote roles are usually benchmarked between the US median ($135,980) and the local rate — employers increasingly set remote pay by national or regional bands, not your city.

Compare all AR/VR Developer markets →
✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated July 2026Source: BLS OES 2026Confidence: LowMethodology

How to reach the top 25% as a AR/VR Developer in Los Angeles

The gap between a typical AR/VR Developer and the top quartile in Los Angeles is $39,174/year — about $3,265/month more than the median. Reaching the 75th percentile ($191,280) usually comes down to seniority, in-demand specialisations, and negotiating from real data instead of hoping for a raise.

AR/VR Developer Salary Trend (2019–2024)

BLS OES historical national medians

2019 median
$136K
2024 median
$136K

Source: BLS OEWS 2019–2024. City-level data uses national trend × metro premium.

Education Premium — AR/VR Developer

How degree level affects salary · ACS Census data

High School / GED
-28%
~$110K
Associate's Degree
-12%
~$134K
Bachelor's DegreeBASELINE
~$152K
Master's Degree
+24%
~$189K
Doctoral (PhD)
+32%
~$201K
Professional (MBA/JD/MD)
+42%
~$216K

Source: US Census Bureau ACS PUMS · BLS OES wage data.

Negotiation Deep-Dive

Get your data-backed negotiation opening ask and walking-away floor.

📊Your exact market percentile based on BLS distribution
🎯P75 target + 10% stretch as your opening ask price
🚪Walking-away floor so you know when to move on
Los Angeles benchmarks
$152K
Market median
$191K
P75 target
$235K
Top 10%

Negotiation Calculator

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AR/VR Developer in Los Angeles — Distribution
P10
$98K
P25
$121K
P50
$152K
P75
$191K
P90
$235K
Enter your salary above to see your negotiation position

California Salary Transparency Law

Effective Jan 1, 2023

Employers with 15+ employees must include pay range in all job postings

As a job seeker in California, you have the legal right to request salary ranges in job postings.

View law →

Data Source & Attribution

Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (1.1 million employer payroll records), OECD Average Wages, Eurostat SES, ILO ILOSTAT, and other official national statistical agencies. Data is updated via ISR and reflects the most recent release cycle.

BLS.OEWS.2026.v2

Jul 31, 2026

Full methodology →
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