Computer programmer salary
BLS occupation: Computer Programmers · also called programmer · Computers and math · data for May 2025
Median salary $100,390 a year, US
Median hourly pay $48.26 an hour
Middle half earn $75,850–$130,680 25th to 75th percentile
Computer programmers employed 92,230 −7.3% projected by 2035
How much does a computer programmer make?
- The median computer programmer salary in the US is $100,390 a year ($48.26 an hour): half of the 92,230 computer programmers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $105,170.
- The middle half earn between $75,850 and $130,680. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $57,710 and the top 10% more than $160,460.
- That is 97% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Connecticut pays computer programmers the most (median $133,820), followed by Massachusetts ($128,390) and Washington ($125,620). South Dakota pays the least ($58,240).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Connecticut, where the median is worth $129,157 in typical US prices, then Arkansas and Massachusetts.
- In 188 of the 203 metro areas with data, the median computer programmer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of computer programmers to shrink 7.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 4,400 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what computer programmers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Computer programmer salary range
Half of computer programmers earn between $75,850 and $130,680 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $57,710
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $75,850
Median Yearly pay: $100,390
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $130,680
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $160,460
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $57,710 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $75,850 |
| Median | $100,390 |
| Top 25% earn over | $130,680 |
| Top 10% earn over | $160,460 |
Computer programmer salary by state
Connecticut pays computer programmers the most; South Dakota the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($100,390), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 median |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 median |
| Washington | $125,620 median |
| Maryland | $125,570 median |
| Virginia | $121,610 median |
| Hawaii | $118,180 median |
| California | $116,760 median |
| Arkansas | $111,840 median |
| Minnesota | $107,250 median |
| New Jersey | $104,940 median |
| Utah | $104,890 median |
| Colorado | $104,610 median |
| New York | $103,980 median |
| Maine | $101,780 median |
| Oklahoma | $99,780 median |
| South Carolina | $99,740 median |
| Oregon | $99,540 median |
| Texas | $99,330 median |
| Georgia | $98,380 median |
| Indiana | $97,000 median |
| Rhode Island | $96,470 median |
| Nebraska | $95,150 median |
| Kentucky | $94,850 median |
| Alabama | $93,800 median |
| Nevada | $93,600 median |
| Florida | $93,180 median |
| Kansas | $92,960 median |
| North Dakota | $92,280 median |
| Alaska | $91,700 median |
| Missouri | $90,420 median |
| Montana | $89,920 median |
| Vermont | $89,560 median |
| Pennsylvania | $89,180 median |
| Idaho | $89,020 median |
| Arizona | $88,990 median |
| Ohio | $85,270 median |
| Mississippi | $85,120 median |
| New Mexico | $83,750 median |
| Wyoming | $81,640 median |
| North Carolina | $81,070 median |
| Iowa | $79,180 median |
| New Hampshire | $74,000 median |
| Illinois | $72,540 median |
| Michigan | $65,860 median |
| West Virginia | $65,320 median |
| South Dakota | $58,240 median |
Where computer programmer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Computer programmers' pay goes furthest in Connecticut once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $129,157 |
| Arkansas | $128,645 |
| Massachusetts | $121,401 |
| Virginia | $120,282 |
| Maryland | $119,637 |
| Washington | $117,388 |
| Oklahoma | $113,589 |
| Minnesota | $108,750 |
| Hawaii | $107,484 |
| South Carolina | $106,390 |
Computer programmer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 | $64.34 | $82,110 | $141,920 | 1,650 | $129,157 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 | $61.73 | $77,060 | $168,310 | 1,930 | $121,401 |
| Washington | $125,620 | $60.39 | $84,760 | $166,400 | 2,540 | $117,388 |
| Maryland | $125,570 | $60.37 | $74,470 | $158,880 | 2,490 | $119,637 |
| Virginia | $121,610 | $58.47 | $67,010 | $182,890 | 3,070 | $120,282 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 | $56.82 | $75,450 | $151,820 | 450 | $107,484 |
| California | $116,760 | $56.13 | $70,310 | $172,300 | 11,340 | $105,455 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 | $53.77 | $63,520 | $167,020 | 1,050 | $128,645 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 | $51.56 | $52,740 | $125,300 | 2,070 | $108,750 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 | $50.45 | $65,000 | $172,990 | 3,930 | $96,448 |
| Utah | $104,890 | $50.43 | $62,930 | $134,010 | 690 | $106,095 |
| Colorado | $104,610 | $50.29 | $68,320 | $199,830 | 930 | $101,512 |
| New York | $103,980 | $49.99 | $65,970 | $172,020 | 7,020 | $96,348 |
| Maine | $101,780 | $48.93 | $72,930 | $191,670 | 450 | $104,874 |
| Oklahoma | $99,780 | $47.97 | $63,110 | $249,600 | 990 | $113,589 |
| South Carolina | $99,740 | $47.95 | $63,130 | $135,250 | 790 | $106,390 |
| Oregon | $99,540 | $47.86 | $77,080 | $143,450 | 1,370 | $96,303 |
| Texas | $99,330 | $47.75 | $60,120 | $143,300 | 7,620 | $102,342 |
| Georgia | $98,380 | $47.30 | $65,080 | $138,320 | 1,890 | $102,167 |
| Indiana | $97,000 | $46.63 | $67,360 | $135,880 | 1,520 | $103,933 |
| Rhode Island | $96,470 | $46.38 | $69,780 | $144,480 | 250 | $94,320 |
| Nebraska | $95,150 | $45.75 | $61,680 | $154,500 | 1,090 | $105,601 |
| Kentucky | $94,850 | $45.60 | $61,990 | $140,460 | 950 | $105,203 |
| Alabama | $93,800 | $45.10 | $58,100 | $132,330 | 890 | $105,603 |
| Nevada | $93,600 | $45.00 | $68,400 | $131,910 | 840 | $93,620 |
| Florida | $93,180 | $44.80 | $52,810 | $138,770 | 4,760 | $90,104 |
| Kansas | $92,960 | $44.69 | $59,940 | $144,570 | 460 | $103,211 |
| North Dakota | $92,280 | $44.37 | $59,530 | $138,960 | 190 | $103,733 |
| Alaska | $91,700 | $44.09 | $64,150 | $138,530 | 530 | $89,587 |
| Missouri | $90,420 | $43.47 | $54,760 | $126,590 | 1,520 | $99,563 |
| Montana | $89,920 | $43.23 | $64,250 | $123,110 | – | $95,008 |
| Vermont | $89,560 | $43.06 | $61,400 | $110,930 | 170 | $91,427 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,180 | $42.88 | $60,070 | $134,710 | 3,120 | $91,399 |
| Idaho | $89,020 | $42.80 | $62,820 | $113,610 | – | $93,221 |
| Arizona | $88,990 | $42.78 | $61,790 | $164,410 | 1,560 | $88,392 |
| Ohio | $85,270 | $41.00 | $51,030 | $134,370 | 2,100 | $91,912 |
| Mississippi | $85,120 | $40.92 | $46,500 | $88,100 | 1,170 | $97,892 |
| New Mexico | $83,750 | $40.26 | $55,500 | $128,940 | 600 | $90,823 |
| Wyoming | $81,640 | $39.25 | $47,880 | $124,870 | 60 | $88,078 |
| North Carolina | $81,070 | $38.98 | $26,170 | $134,780 | 4,120 | $85,947 |
| Iowa | $79,180 | $38.07 | $54,060 | $128,520 | 950 | $90,221 |
| New Hampshire | $74,000 | $35.58 | $53,790 | $124,920 | – | $71,041 |
| Illinois | $72,540 | $34.88 | $50,640 | $142,410 | 1,280 | $72,570 |
| Michigan | $65,860 | $31.66 | $35,600 | $127,850 | 4,400 | $68,449 |
| West Virginia | $65,320 | $31.40 | $46,330 | $123,320 | 140 | $72,986 |
| South Dakota | $58,240 | $28.00 | $47,670 | $106,820 | 70 | $65,744 |
BLS does not publish pay for computer programmers in 5 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Computer programmer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes computer programmer pay: 206 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Boulder, CO $155,030
- San Jose, CA $154,920
- Hartford, CT $141,920
- Fayetteville, AR $136,880
- San Diego, CA $134,130
- Santa Cruz, CA $132,850
- Bend, OR $132,280
- Portland, ME $131,960
- Bridgeport, CT $130,790
- San Francisco, CA $130,730
Where the pay goes furthest
- Fayetteville, AR $149,836
- Boulder, CO $147,364
- San Jose, CA $140,297
- Hartford, CT $138,127
- Portland, ME $129,553
- Bend, OR $127,675
- Spokane, WA $124,808
- Iowa City, IA $124,130
- Bridgeport, CT $122,389
- Visalia, CA $121,923
All 206 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $155,030 | – | $147,364 | 17% |
| San Jose, CA | $154,920 | 980 | $140,297 | 30% |
| Hartford, CT | $141,920 | 1,150 | $138,127 | 17% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $136,880 | 490 | $149,836 | 14% |
| San Diego, CA | $134,130 | 1,600 | $119,880 | 27% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $132,850 | 90 | $120,887 | 31% |
| Bend, OR | $132,280 | 90 | $127,675 | 20% |
| Portland, ME | $131,960 | 190 | $129,553 | 21% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $130,790 | – | $122,389 | 26% |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,730 | 2,440 | $113,076 | 32% |
| Washington, DC | $130,390 | 2,680 | $119,751 | 22% |
| Boston, MA | $128,900 | 1,600 | $119,059 | 28% |
| Kahului, HI | $128,240 | 40 | $117,229 | 30% |
| New York, NY | $126,750 | 6,670 | $112,604 | 34% |
| Spokane, WA | $125,240 | – | $124,808 | 14% |
| Visalia, CA | $121,710 | 40 | $121,923 | 17% |
| Naples, FL | $119,330 | – | $115,630 | 26% |
| Worcester, MA | $119,010 | 90 | $116,081 | 21% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $118,000 | 1,570 | $112,572 | 18% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $117,020 | 60 | $116,198 | 18% |
| Norwich, CT | $116,370 | – | $115,854 | 22% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $114,110 | 90 | $105,078 | 29% |
| Corvallis, OR | $113,950 | 30 | $109,549 | 19% |
| Iowa City, IA | $113,590 | 100 | $124,130 | 19% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $112,990 | 110 | $112,138 | 22% |
| Richmond, VA | $112,690 | 310 | $115,157 | 18% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $111,290 | 370 | $110,332 | 18% |
| Honolulu, HI | $111,170 | 330 | $100,188 | 33% |
| Trenton, NJ | $110,990 | 220 | $107,569 | 27% |
| Huntsville, AL | $110,110 | 160 | $118,306 | 15% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $109,770 | – | $110,716 | 22% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $109,690 | 140 | $100,820 | 36% |
| Vallejo, CA | $108,830 | 30 | $100,324 | 27% |
| Olympia, WA | $108,740 | 30 | $104,891 | 23% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $108,060 | 80 | $100,256 | 30% |
| Elkhart, IN | $107,850 | 30 | $119,402 | 13% |
| Charleston, SC | $107,770 | 160 | $106,743 | 23% |
| Pensacola, FL | $107,400 | 90 | $109,909 | 19% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $107,090 | 3,400 | $94,298 | 33% |
| Greenville, NC | $106,770 | 60 | $120,778 | 16% |
| Baltimore, MD | $106,420 | 780 | $101,850 | 22% |
| New Haven, CT | $105,790 | – | $101,177 | 23% |
| Savannah, GA | $105,600 | 70 | $110,917 | 20% |
| Durham, NC | $105,160 | 450 | $107,777 | 19% |
| Louisville, KY | $105,050 | – | $112,867 | 15% |
| Denver, CO | $104,610 | 540 | $98,892 | 22% |
| Bellingham, WA | $104,240 | 40 | $100,877 | 22% |
| Reno, NV | $104,200 | 70 | $103,154 | 24% |
| Birmingham, AL | $103,750 | 120 | $113,210 | 16% |
| Eugene, OR | $103,600 | 80 | $102,001 | 21% |
| Modesto, CA | $103,250 | 50 | $99,176 | 24% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $103,070 | 280 | $105,237 | 22% |
| Salem, OR | $103,040 | 70 | $99,412 | 19% |
| Sacramento, CA | $102,600 | 580 | $96,184 | 27% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $102,300 | 70 | $101,969 | 25% |
| Dallas, TX | $102,240 | 3,260 | $99,175 | 19% |
| Bremerton, WA | $102,150 | 30 | $96,727 | 24% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $102,070 | 550 | $106,661 | 18% |
| Atlanta, GA | $101,910 | 1,260 | $101,851 | 22% |
| Kansas City, MO | $101,830 | 500 | $110,035 | 18% |
| Riverside, CA | $101,810 | 390 | $95,648 | 30% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $101,640 | 410 | $106,574 | 18% |
| Miami, FL | $101,530 | 1,100 | $88,940 | 31% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $101,420 | 1,770 | $98,894 | 23% |
| Macon, GA | $101,190 | 110 | $114,303 | 14% |
| Burlington, VT | $101,020 | 40 | $100,070 | 31% |
| Austin, TX | $100,700 | – | $102,686 | 19% |
| Crestview, FL | $100,650 | 60 | $103,730 | 23% |
| Orlando, FL | $100,450 | 540 | $99,046 | 23% |
| Merced, CA | $100,410 | 30 | $102,172 | 25% |
| Tampa, FL | $100,140 | 830 | $99,257 | 24% |
| Ogden, UT | $100,120 | 100 | $99,772 | 20% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $100,100 | 140 | $100,095 | 23% |
| Little Rock, AR | $100,070 | 350 | $111,980 | 15% |
| Provo, UT | $99,980 | 150 | $101,779 | 21% |
| Syracuse, NY | $99,920 | 210 | $104,364 | 20% |
| Chicago, IL | $99,750 | 650 | $96,288 | 26% |
| Greenville, SC | $99,520 | 130 | $106,712 | 19% |
| Fresno, CA | $99,370 | 110 | $97,271 | 25% |
| Portland, OR | $99,150 | 820 | $94,051 | 22% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $99,050 | 280 | $99,564 | 20% |
| Reading, PA | $98,690 | 60 | $101,679 | 19% |
| Columbia, SC | $98,490 | 190 | $105,155 | 19% |
| Bangor, ME | $98,260 | 40 | $101,815 | 18% |
| Montgomery, AL | $97,710 | 390 | $108,952 | 17% |
| Evansville, IN | $97,630 | 30 | $106,667 | 13% |
| Madison, WI | $97,410 | 280 | $100,126 | 22% |
| Providence, RI | $97,300 | 290 | $95,605 | 27% |
| St. Louis, MO | $96,920 | 660 | $101,927 | 18% |
| Canton, OH | $96,750 | 30 | $108,214 | 14% |
| Houston, TX | $96,440 | 1,340 | $97,781 | 20% |
| Dayton, OH | $96,350 | 200 | $103,944 | 16% |
| Omaha, NE | $95,150 | 640 | $103,524 | 18% |
| Buffalo, NY | $94,260 | 430 | $98,347 | 18% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $93,600 | 740 | $93,399 | 22% |
| Allentown, PA | $93,510 | 120 | $93,540 | 24% |
| Topeka, KS | $92,960 | 60 | $104,661 | 16% |
| Wichita, KS | $92,960 | 70 | $104,513 | 16% |
| Roanoke, VA | $92,830 | 50 | $99,158 | 18% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $92,790 | 420 | $102,635 | 18% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $92,600 | 110 | $84,626 | 29% |
| Lincoln, NE | $92,510 | 260 | $101,014 | 17% |
| Fargo, ND | $92,280 | 100 | $101,551 | 14% |
| Boise, ID | $92,270 | – | $93,779 | 25% |
| York, PA | $91,760 | 80 | $95,583 | 18% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $91,600 | 50 | $92,744 | 26% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $91,180 | 30 | $97,371 | 23% |
| Anchorage, AK | $91,130 | 320 | $86,445 | 25% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $91,110 | – | $88,186 | 23% |
| Lexington, KY | $90,850 | 130 | $97,805 | 21% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $90,730 | 30 | $87,910 | 24% |
| Medford, OR | $90,570 | 50 | $89,290 | 24% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $90,040 | 40 | $95,613 | 22% |
| Champaign, IL | $89,380 | 110 | $96,414 | 19% |
| Tucson, AZ | $88,990 | 230 | $91,841 | 20% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $88,220 | 50 | $89,240 | 28% |
| Scranton, PA | $88,180 | 130 | $94,254 | 19% |
| Detroit, MI | $87,860 | 1,380 | $87,599 | 21% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $87,640 | 50 | $102,040 | 15% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $87,630 | – | $94,661 | 17% |
| State College, PA | $87,610 | 40 | $90,542 | 27% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $87,100 | 30 | $93,949 | 23% |
| Racine, WI | $86,970 | 40 | $90,631 | 20% |
| Waco, TX | $86,900 | 70 | $93,895 | 20% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $86,450 | 140 | $87,633 | 21% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $86,420 | 50 | $95,797 | 20% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $86,110 | 40 | $98,162 | 23% |
| Traverse City, MI | $85,590 | 30 | $91,666 | 26% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $85,580 | 310 | $84,833 | 27% |
| Bloomington, IN | $85,580 | 360 | $90,005 | 24% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $85,340 | 420 | $90,144 | 21% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $85,280 | 580 | $87,975 | 22% |
| Kenosha, WI | $85,020 | 80 | $84,080 | – |
| Lawrence, KS | $84,950 | 60 | $94,135 | 22% |
| Lakeland, FL | $84,820 | 100 | $87,316 | 26% |
| Charlotte, NC | $84,720 | 670 | $87,028 | 25% |
| Mankato, MN | $84,710 | 40 | $93,134 | 18% |
| Greensboro, NC | $84,700 | 190 | $91,208 | 20% |
| Davenport, IA | $84,400 | 40 | $94,747 | 14% |
| Oxnard, CA | $84,250 | 120 | $76,221 | 42% |
| Albany, NY | $84,140 | 1,430 | $84,507 | 24% |
| Lancaster, PA | $83,990 | 100 | $85,480 | 23% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $83,760 | 230 | $91,001 | 22% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $83,750 | 370 | $87,654 | 21% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $83,690 | 60 | $81,769 | 26% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $83,510 | 40 | $83,320 | 33% |
| Rochester, NY | $83,420 | 290 | $85,969 | 22% |
| Bismarck, ND | $83,160 | 60 | $91,361 | 19% |
| South Bend, IN | $82,750 | 50 | $89,115 | 18% |
| Beaumont, TX | $82,560 | 40 | $91,686 | 19% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $81,970 | 50 | $88,207 | 19% |
| Green Bay, WI | $81,470 | 70 | $87,521 | 16% |
| Killeen, TX | $81,230 | 40 | $89,134 | 19% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $81,150 | 70 | $92,242 | 15% |
| Columbus, OH | $80,910 | 410 | $84,750 | 23% |
| Springfield, MO | $80,640 | 90 | $91,031 | 19% |
| College Station, TX | $80,620 | 60 | $88,641 | 22% |
| Binghamton, NY | $80,510 | 130 | $86,698 | 24% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $80,060 | 250 | $83,792 | 24% |
| Toledo, OH | $79,770 | 100 | $87,223 | 19% |
| Mobile, AL | $79,640 | 60 | $90,399 | 19% |
| Wilmington, NC | $79,530 | 70 | $82,481 | 26% |
| Cleveland, OH | $79,290 | 400 | $84,420 | 22% |
| Appleton, WI | $79,270 | 50 | $85,772 | 18% |
| Des Moines, IA | $79,200 | 320 | $86,368 | 19% |
| Gainesville, FL | $78,970 | 50 | $81,637 | 25% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $78,880 | 50 | $83,172 | 20% |
| Utica, NY | $78,770 | 80 | $84,993 | 22% |
| North Port, FL | $78,730 | 90 | $76,872 | 32% |
| Waterloo, IA | $78,250 | 60 | $89,884 | 16% |
| Akron, OH | $78,070 | 140 | $83,614 | 20% |
| Erie, PA | $78,060 | 40 | $85,827 | 17% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $77,880 | 30 | $85,148 | 23% |
| Shreveport, LA | $77,730 | 80 | $91,700 | 20% |
| Ames, IA | $77,720 | 30 | $87,493 | 18% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $77,640 | 40 | $88,598 | 19% |
| Amarillo, TX | $77,570 | 60 | $84,481 | 20% |
| Asheville, NC | $77,460 | – | $80,264 | 26% |
| New Orleans, LA | $77,220 | 550 | $83,394 | 25% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $76,530 | 90 | $86,025 | 19% |
| Longview, TX | $76,490 | 40 | $85,478 | 18% |
| Midland, TX | $75,640 | 60 | $78,970 | 25% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $74,500 | 60 | $80,392 | 23% |
| Lansing, MI | $74,110 | 130 | $78,018 | 21% |
| Slidell, LA | $74,090 | – | $79,902 | – |
| Memphis, TN | $73,970 | 110 | $80,246 | 23% |
| Lafayette, LA | $73,470 | – | $84,246 | 23% |
| Youngstown, OH | $73,440 | 40 | $84,033 | 17% |
| Wausau, WI | $73,250 | 30 | $79,060 | 16% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $72,680 | 640 | $77,386 | 24% |
| Gulfport, MS | $72,430 | 50 | $80,472 | 24% |
| McAllen, TX | $72,430 | 60 | $84,324 | 19% |
| Dover, DE | $72,110 | 40 | $73,954 | 30% |
| Monroe, LA | $71,780 | 50 | $85,864 | 20% |
| Houma, LA | $71,590 | 70 | $84,122 | 22% |
| Lubbock, TX | $70,260 | 100 | $76,941 | 23% |
| Jackson, MS | $70,090 | 280 | $78,710 | 25% |
| Clarksville, TN | $68,790 | 40 | $75,637 | 23% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $68,090 | 50 | $67,925 | – |
| Flint, MI | $67,300 | 40 | $72,339 | 19% |
| Knoxville, TN | $66,760 | 110 | $72,119 | 31% |
| Panama City, FL | $65,530 | 30 | $67,351 | 32% |
| El Paso, TX | $65,220 | 110 | $72,538 | 28% |
| Rochester, MN | $65,070 | 30 | $71,646 | 29% |
| Manchester, NH | $62,810 | 210 | $59,447 | 41% |
| Springfield, IL | $61,160 | – | $65,944 | 24% |
What the median computer programmer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $100,390 |
| Month | $8,366 |
| Every two weeks | $3,861 |
| Week | $1,931 |
| Hour | $48.26 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a computer programmer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −7.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 4,400 |
| Self-employed | 14.6% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Software engineer | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| Cybersecurity analyst | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| Actuary | $130,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network engineer | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network administrator | $99,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| Data scientist | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| UX designer | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Systems analyst | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about computer programmer pay
How much does a computer programmer make an hour?
The median is $48.26 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $27.74 and the top 10% over $77.15.
How much does a computer programmer make a month?
About $8,366 a month before taxes at the median salary of $100,390, or $3,861 every two weeks.
What state pays computer programmers the most?
Connecticut, with a median of $133,820. Massachusetts ($128,390), Washington ($125,620), Maryland ($125,570) and Virginia ($121,610) follow.
Where do computer programmers make the most after cost of living?
Connecticut: its median of $133,820 is worth $129,157 at typical US prices. Arkansas, Massachusetts and Virginia come next.
How much do entry-level computer programmers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of computer programmers earn under $57,710 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $75,850, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a computer programmer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 15-1251 (Computer Programmers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.