Computer Programmer Salary
Computer Programmers earn a median $100,390 a year nationally. Computer and Mathematical Occupations
What computer programmers do
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -7.3% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 4,400
- Self-employed
- 15%
Employment of computer programmers is projected to shrink 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Computer Programmer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,256
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,224
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,456
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$79,454
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,710 | $27.75 | $48,550 |
| 25th percentile | $75,850 | $36.47 | $62,190 |
| Median (50th) | $100,390 | $48.26 | $79,454 |
| 75th percentile | $130,680 | $62.83 | $100,586 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,460 | $77.14 | $120,940 |
Best cities for computer programmers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $130,390 | $92,273 | $84,744 | 2,680 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $126,750 | $91,462 | $81,254 | 6,670 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $130,730 | $90,992 | $78,704 | 2,440 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $102,240 | $80,756 | $78,335 | 3,260 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $107,090 | $77,046 | $67,842 | 3,400 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Francisco, CA — $130,730
- Washington, DC — $130,390
- New York, NY — $126,750
- Los Angeles, CA — $107,090
- Dallas, TX — $102,240
Computer Programmer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 | +33.1% | $96,853 | $82,110 – $141,920 | 1,650 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 | +11.4% | $92,821 | $77,060 – $168,310 | 1,930 |
| Washington | $125,620 | −20.9% | $97,127 | $84,760 – $166,400 | 2,540 |
| Maryland | $125,570 | +21.9% | $91,445 | $74,470 – $158,880 | 2,490 |
| Virginia | $121,610 | +8.7% | $88,204 | $67,010 – $182,890 | 3,070 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 | +9.4% | $84,518 | $75,450 – $151,820 | 450 |
| California | $116,760 | +0.5% | $82,824 | $70,310 – $172,300 | 11,340 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 | +11.1% | $83,360 | $63,520 – $167,020 | 1,050 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 | −1.1% | $78,511 | $52,740 – $125,300 | 2,070 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 | +2.1% | $78,161 | $65,000 – $172,990 | 3,930 |
| Utah | $104,890 | +18.6% | $78,866 | $62,930 – $134,010 | 690 |
| Colorado | $104,610 | −16.2% | $78,529 | $68,320 – $199,830 | 930 |
| New York | $103,980 | +3.6% | $76,885 | $65,970 – $172,020 | 7,020 |
| Maine | $101,780 | −1.3% | $74,651 | $72,930 – $191,670 | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $99,780 | −1.1% | $75,081 | $63,110 – $239,200+ | 990 |
| South Carolina | $99,740 | −0.9% | $74,170 | $63,130 – $135,250 | 790 |
| Oregon | $99,540 | −21.6% | $70,976 | $77,080 – $143,450 | 1,370 |
| Texas | $99,330 | +22.9% | $78,709 | $60,120 – $143,300 | 7,620 |
| Georgia | $98,380 | +0.4% | $73,557 | $65,080 – $138,320 | 1,890 |
| Indiana | $97,000 | +15.9% | $74,238 | $67,360 – $135,880 | 1,520 |
| Rhode Island | $96,470 | +2.0% | $73,696 | $69,780 – $144,480 | 250 |
| Nebraska | $95,150 | +1.6% | $72,318 | $61,680 – $154,500 | 1,090 |
| Kentucky | $94,850 | −9.5% | $72,355 | $61,990 – $140,460 | 950 |
| Alabama | $93,800 | +7.5% | $70,393 | $58,100 – $132,330 | 890 |
| Nevada | $93,600 | +1.0% | $74,678 | $68,400 – $131,910 | 840 |
| Florida | $93,180 | −5.5% | $74,382 | $52,810 – $138,770 | 4,760 |
| Kansas | $92,960 | +1.5% | $69,840 | $59,940 – $144,570 | 460 |
| North Dakota | $92,280 | +3.8% | $73,209 | $59,530 – $138,960 | 190 |
| Alaska | $91,700 | +3.1% | $73,341 | $64,150 – $138,530 | 530 |
| Missouri | $90,420 | −3.3% | $69,128 | $54,760 – $126,590 | 1,520 |
| Montana | $89,920 | −30.1% | $68,369 | $64,250 – $123,110 | — |
| Vermont | $89,560 | +14.5% | $68,385 | $61,400 – $110,930 | 170 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,180 | +5.2% | $68,830 | $60,070 – $134,710 | 3,120 |
| Idaho | $89,020 | +10.7% | $67,846 | $62,820 – $113,610 | — |
| Arizona | $88,990 | +23.7% | $69,418 | $61,790 – $164,410 | 1,560 |
| Ohio | $85,270 | −14.3% | $67,255 | $51,030 – $134,370 | 2,100 |
| Mississippi | $85,120 | +30.7% | $66,039 | $46,500 – $88,100 | 1,170 |
| New Mexico | $83,750 | +0.1% | $64,975 | $55,500 – $128,940 | 600 |
| Wyoming | $81,640 | −22.6% | $66,264 | $47,880 – $124,870 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $81,070 | −15.3% | $63,137 | $26,170 – $134,780 | 4,120 |
| Iowa | $79,180 | −6.6% | $62,176 | $54,060 – $128,520 | 950 |
| New Hampshire | $74,000 | −8.5% | $60,889 | $53,790 – $124,920 | — |
| Illinois | $72,540 | −13.1% | $56,416 | $50,640 – $142,410 | 1,280 |
| Michigan | $65,860 | −4.3% | $52,550 | $35,600 – $127,850 | 4,400 |
| West Virginia | $65,320 | +0.3% | $52,451 | $46,330 – $123,320 | 140 |
| South Dakota | $58,240 | +3.0% | $48,976 | $47,670 – $106,820 | 70 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web and Digital Interface Designer | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree | +6.0% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester | $104,300 | Bachelor's degree | +5.7% |
| Web Developer | $92,650 | Bachelor's degree | +3.8% |
| Software Developer | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree | +10.2% |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator | $99,130 | Bachelor's degree | -4.1% |
| Database Administrator | $104,620 | Bachelor's degree | -0.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree | +7.9% |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $116,580 | Bachelor's degree | +5.1% |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $76,220 | Associate's degree | +1.2% |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree | +21.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make?
The national median salary for computer programmers is $100,390 a year ($48.26 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,710 and the top 10% earn over $160,460. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays computer programmers the most?
Connecticut has the highest median pay at $133,820. After taxes and local prices, Washington, DC offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many computer programmers are there in the U.S.?
About 92,230 people work as computer programmers nationwide.