SOC 151251

Computer Programmers

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.

National Median

$98,670

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$98,670

Entry Level (10th pct)

$52,190

Experienced (90th pct)

$162,090

Total Employed

109,870

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$52,190 - $71,860
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$71,860 - $128,960
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$128,960 - $162,090

Highest Paying Locations for Computer Programmers

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$167,970

+70.2% vs national

Boulder, CO

$162,530

+64.7% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$159,250

+61.4% vs national

Washington

$158,820

+61.0% vs national

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

$133,560

+35.4% vs national

Computer Programmers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$167,970	N/A
Boulder, CO	$162,530	N/A
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$159,250	1,440
Washington	$158,820	3,220
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$133,560	1,800
Bend, OR	$132,590	90
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO	$131,230	N/A
Bozeman, MT	$129,040	260
Montana	$128,630	450
East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area	$128,440	40
Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$128,270	80
Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$127,220	30
Oregon	$126,980	1,180
Colorado	$124,880	1,090
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$122,580	390
Columbia, SC	$122,030	180
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$122,000	3,780
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$120,870	970
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$119,900	550
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$119,900	290
Portland-South Portland, ME	$119,240	210
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area	$117,410	40
California	$116,220	14,720
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$115,770	1,620
Massachusetts	$115,200	3,040
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$115,190	2,610
Oklahoma City, OK	$114,890	910
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC	$113,720	550
New Haven, CT	$112,140	160
Virginia	$111,860	4,210
Worcester, MA	$111,390	120
Visalia, CA	$111,200	40
Colorado Springs, CO	$110,160	180
Salem, OR	$109,970	70
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$109,590	6,510
Wisconsin	$109,580	3,020
Lynchburg, VA	$108,760	30
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN	$108,730	80
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$108,650	50
Minnesota	$108,450	1,960
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$108,330	80
Columbus, OH	$108,230	440
Urban Honolulu, HI	$108,040	N/A
Hawaii	$108,040	N/A
Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$107,780	50
Medford, OR	$106,880	30
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$106,880	360
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$106,210	140
Lexington-Fayette, KY	$105,800	280
Wyoming	$105,420	60

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Computer Programmers?

The national median annual salary for Computer Programmers is $98,670, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Computer Programmerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Computer Programmerss is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, with a median salary of $167,970.

How much can an experienced Computer Programmers make?

Top-earning Computer Programmerss (90th percentile) make $162,090 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.