A DFB laser element includes an active layer 4 having a multiple quantum well structure including a plurality of well layers 4B having different thicknesses, a diffraction grating layer 6 that is optically coupled to the active layer 4, and a pair of cladding layers with the active layer 4 and the diffraction grating layer 6 interposed therebetween. An effective refractive index of the diffraction grating layer 6 is high, and a thickness of the well layer 4B increases as a distance from the diffraction grating layer 6 increases. In this structure, it is possible to reduce dependence on temperature when the DFB semiconductor laser element is miniaturized.