Computer Programmer Salary in Charlotte, NC
Computer Programmers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $84,720 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,559 take-home, or $5,463 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer programmer salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,808
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,253
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,228
- North Carolina income tax$2,872
- Take-home pay$65,559
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Computer Programmer pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,110 | $23.13 | $39,426 | $3,285 |
| 25th percentile | $67,470 | $32.44 | $54,112 | $4,509 |
| Median (50th) | $84,720 | $40.73 | $65,559 | $5,463 |
| 75th percentile | $120,690 | $58.02 | $89,429 | $7,452 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,140 | $68.82 | $103,900 | $8,658 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,720 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer programmer's $65,559 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,345 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Computer Programmer jobs are about as common in Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.83).
Best-paying cities for computer programmers, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #29 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville, AR | $136,880 | $99,698 | $109,135 |
| 2 | Hartford, CT | $141,920 | $101,903 | $99,180 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $154,920 | $104,962 | $95,054 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $128,900 | $93,144 | $86,033 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $130,390 | $92,273 | $84,744 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $134,130 | $92,956 | $83,080 |
| 7 | Kansas City, MO | $101,830 | $76,619 | $82,793 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $118,000 | $85,342 | $81,416 |
| 29 | Charlotte, NC | $84,720 | $65,559 | $67,345 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
Computer Programmer salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Durham, NC — $105,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Charlotte, NC?
The median computer programmer salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $84,720 a year, or about $40.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $67,470 and $120,690.
What is a computer programmer’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $84,720 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $65,559 a year ($5,463 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,872 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a computer programmer?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $100,390. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,345 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #29 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer programmer afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median computer programmer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Database Architect — $138,870
- Software Developer — $135,920
- Computer Network Architect — $134,410
- Data Scientist — $132,460
- Information Security Analyst — $131,440
- Database Administrator — $113,890
- Computer Systems Analyst — $110,790
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $110,790
- Operations Research Analyst — $105,180
- Web Developer — $101,980
- Web and Digital Interface Designer — $94,290
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $89,990