How much does a computer programmer make?
The median computer programmer in the United States earns $100,390 per year, about $48.26 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all computer programmers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 15-1251.
Computer programmer salary range
Pay for computer programmers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $57,710 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $160,460. The average (mean) wage of $105,170 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $57,710 | $27.74 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $75,850 | $36.47 | |
| Median (50th) | $100,390 | $48.26 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $130,680 | $62.83 | |
| 90th percentile | $160,460 | $77.15 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for computer programmers (SOC 15-1251), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Computer programmer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Computer programmers earn the most in Connecticut at $133,820 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $58,240. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 | 1,650 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 | 1,930 |
| Washington | $125,620 | 2,540 |
| Maryland | $125,570 | 2,490 |
| Virginia | $121,610 | 3,070 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 | 450 |
| California | $116,760 | 11,340 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 | 1,050 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 | 2,070 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 | 3,930 |
| Utah | $104,890 | 690 |
| Colorado | $104,610 | 930 |
| New York | $103,980 | 7,020 |
| Maine | $101,780 | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $99,780 | 990 |
| South Carolina | $99,740 | 790 |
| Oregon | $99,540 | 1,370 |
| Texas | $99,330 | 7,620 |
| Georgia | $98,380 | 1,890 |
| Indiana | $97,000 | 1,520 |
| Rhode Island | $96,470 | 250 |
| Nebraska | $95,150 | 1,090 |
| Kentucky | $94,850 | 950 |
| Alabama | $93,800 | 890 |
| Nevada | $93,600 | 840 |
| Florida | $93,180 | 4,760 |
| Kansas | $92,960 | 460 |
| North Dakota | $92,280 | 190 |
| Alaska | $91,700 | 530 |
| Missouri | $90,420 | 1,520 |
| Montana | $89,920 | N/A |
| Vermont | $89,560 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,180 | 3,120 |
| Idaho | $89,020 | N/A |
| Arizona | $88,990 | 1,560 |
| Ohio | $85,270 | 2,100 |
| Mississippi | $85,120 | 1,170 |
| New Mexico | $83,750 | 600 |
| Wyoming | $81,640 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $81,070 | 4,120 |
| Iowa | $79,180 | 950 |
| New Hampshire | $74,000 | N/A |
| Illinois | $72,540 | 1,280 |
| Michigan | $65,860 | 4,400 |
| West Virginia | $65,320 | 140 |
| South Dakota | $58,240 | 70 |
State median wages for computer programmers (SOC 15-1251), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for computer programmers
The BLS projects employment of computer programmers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 7.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 110,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 102,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,400 openings a year for computer programmers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a computer programmer
The typical entry-level education for computer programmers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a computer programmer earns
Seniority, employer, location, and specialization matter most. Workers at large tech firms and in expensive metros like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York cluster near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Connecticut, $133,820) and the lowest (South Dakota, $58,240) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 92,230 people work as computer programmers in the United States. At $100,390 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Computer programmer salary FAQ
How much does a computer programmer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a computer programmer is $48.26. The middle half of computer programmers earn between $36.47 and $62.83 per hour.
What is the highest computer programmer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of computer programmers earn more than $160,460 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a computer programmer make a year?
The median annual salary for a computer programmer is $100,390. The average (mean) wage of $105,170 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a computer programmer a well paid job?
At $100,390 a year, a computer programmer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 92,230 people work as computer programmers in the United States.
Which state pays computer programmers the most?
Connecticut has the highest median salary for computer programmers at $133,820 a year. Massachusetts ($128,390) and Washington ($125,620) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a computer programmer a good career?
Employment of computer programmers is projected to shrink 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a computer programmer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for computer programmers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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