Computer programmers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $100,390 | $48.26 |
| Mean (average) | $105,170 | $50.56 |
| 90th percentile | $160,460 | $77.15 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Computer programmers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 52 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $93,800 | $58,100 | $132,330 | 890 | 0.71 |
| Alaska | $91,700 | $64,150 | $138,530 | 530 | 2.75 |
| Arizona | $88,990 | $61,790 | $164,410 | 1,560 | 0.81 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 | $63,520 | $167,020 | 1,050 | 1.36 |
| California | $116,760 | $70,310 | $172,300 | 11,340 | 1.05 |
| Colorado | $104,610 | $68,320 | $199,830 | 930 | 0.54 |
| Connecticut | $133,820 | $82,110 | $141,920 | 1,650 | 1.64 |
| Delaware | Data unavailable | 450 | 1.58 | ||
| District of Columbia | Data unavailable | 230 | 0.54 | ||
| Florida | $93,180 | $52,810 | $138,770 | 4,760 | 0.81 |
| Georgia | $98,380 | $65,080 | $138,320 | 1,890 | 0.65 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 | $75,450 | $151,820 | 450 | 1.22 |
| Idaho | $89,020 | $62,820 | $113,610 | ||
| Illinois | $72,540 | $50,640 | $142,410 | 1,280 | 0.35 |
| Indiana | $97,000 | $67,360 | $135,880 | 1,520 | 0.8 |
| Iowa | $79,180 | $54,060 | $128,520 | 950 | 1.03 |
| Kansas | $92,960 | $59,940 | $144,570 | 460 | 0.54 |
| Kentucky | $94,850 | $61,990 | $140,460 | 950 | 0.8 |
| Louisiana | Data unavailable | 1,580 | 1.38 | ||
| Maine | $101,780 | $72,930 | $191,670 | 450 | 1.2 |
| Maryland | $125,570 | $74,470 | $158,880 | 2,490 | 1.52 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 | $77,060 | $168,310 | 1,930 | 0.89 |
| Michigan | $65,860 | $35,600 | $127,850 | 4,400 | 1.69 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 | $52,740 | $125,300 | 2,070 | 1.18 |
| Mississippi | $85,120 | $46,500 | $88,100 | 1,170 | 1.7 |
| Missouri | $90,420 | $54,760 | $126,590 | 1,520 | 0.87 |
| Montana | $89,920 | $64,250 | $123,110 | ||
| Nebraska | $95,150 | $61,680 | $154,500 | 1,090 | 1.79 |
| Nevada | $93,600 | $68,400 | $131,910 | 840 | 0.91 |
| New Hampshire | $74,000 | $53,790 | $124,920 | ||
| New Jersey | $104,940 | $65,000 | $172,990 | 3,930 | 1.55 |
| New Mexico | $83,750 | $55,500 | $128,940 | 600 | 1.16 |
| New York | $103,980 | $65,970 | $172,020 | 7,020 | 1.22 |
| North Carolina | $81,070 | $26,170 | $134,780 | 4,120 | 1.41 |
| North Dakota | $92,280 | $59,530 | $138,960 | 190 | 0.75 |
| Ohio | $85,270 | $51,030 | $134,370 | 2,100 | 0.64 |
| Oklahoma | $99,780 | $63,110 | $249,600 | 990 | 0.97 |
| Oregon | $99,540 | $77,080 | $143,450 | 1,370 | 1.17 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,180 | $60,070 | $134,710 | 3,120 | 0.87 |
| Puerto Rico | $51,310 | $31,980 | $100,110 | 920 | 1.66 |
| Rhode Island | $96,470 | $69,780 | $144,480 | 250 | 0.85 |
| South Carolina | $99,740 | $63,130 | $135,250 | 790 | 0.58 |
| South Dakota | $58,240 | $47,670 | $106,820 | 70 | 0.25 |
| Tennessee | Data unavailable | 920 | 0.47 | ||
| Texas | $99,330 | $60,120 | $143,300 | 7,620 | 0.91 |
| Utah | $104,890 | $62,930 | $134,010 | 690 | 0.67 |
| Vermont | $89,560 | $61,400 | $110,930 | 170 | 0.94 |
| Virginia | $121,610 | $67,010 | $182,890 | 3,070 | 1.26 |
| Washington | $125,620 | $84,760 | $166,400 | 2,540 | 1.21 |
| West Virginia | $65,320 | $46,330 | $123,320 | 140 | 0.33 |
| Wisconsin | Data unavailable | 3,080 | 1.77 | ||
| Wyoming | $81,640 | $47,880 | $124,870 | 60 | 0.34 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for computer programmers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 4,400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 14.6%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for computer programmers
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Computer Programming/Programmer, General CIP 11.0201
- Computer Programming, Specific Applications CIP 11.0202
- Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification CIP 11.0203
- Computer Game Programming CIP 11.0204
- Computer Programming, Specific Platforms CIP 11.0205
- Computer Programming, Other CIP 11.0299
- Computer Science CIP 11.0701
- Computer Graphics CIP 11.0803
- Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation CIP 11.0804
- Cloud Computing CIP 11.0902
- Computer Software Technology/Technician CIP 15.1204
- Computational Science CIP 30.3001
- Data Analytics, General CIP 30.7101
- Data Visualization CIP 30.7103
- Data Analytics, Other CIP 30.7199
- Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant CIP 51.0709
- Management Information Systems, General CIP 52.1201
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
- Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
- Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
- Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
- Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
- Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language.
- Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.
Technology skills
- C# (in demand)
- C++ (in demand)
- Cascading style sheets CSS (in demand)
- Extensible markup language XML (in demand)
- Git (in demand)
- Hypertext markup language HTML (in demand)
- JavaScript (in demand)
- Linux (in demand)
- Microsoft Azure software (in demand)
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (in demand)
- Microsoft SQL Server (in demand)
- Microsoft Visual Studio (in demand)
- Oracle Java (in demand)
- Python (in demand)
Transferable skills for career changers: Programming, Complex Problem Solving, Quality Control Analysis, Systems Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness.
Common job titles: Analyst Programmer, Application Programmer Analyst, Computer Programmer, Computer Programmer Analyst, Internet Programmer, Java Developer, Programmer, Programmer Analyst, Web Applications Programmer, Web Programmer.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do computer programmers make?
The national median annual wage for computer programmers was $100,390 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $57,710 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $160,460. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do computer programmers need?
BLS lists bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is computer programmers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of computer programmers to change -7.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 4,400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay computer programmers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Connecticut ($133,820), Massachusetts ($128,390), Washington ($125,620). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.