How Much Does a Computer Programmer Make?
Computer Programmers made a median salary of $84,280 in 2018. The best-paid 25 percent made $109,120 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $64,410.
Salary Outlook
What is the Outlook for Computer Programmers?
The BLS projects the number of positions in the computer programming field will decline 7% by 2028 due to companies outsourcing jobs to other countries with lower wages. This is expected to result in the loss of 17,900 jobs.
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Best-Paying Cities for Computer Programmers
The metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the computer programmer profession are Seattle, Charlottesville, Vallejo, Olympia, and Hartford.
Seattle, Washington
$129,290
Charlottesville, Virginia
$112,240
Vallejo, California
$112,000
Olympia, Washington
$107,890
Hartford, Connecticut
$106,250
The 5 Best-Paying Cities for Computer Programmers
Best-Paying States for Computer Programmers
The states and districts that pay Computer Programmers the highest mean salary are Washington ($126,920), District of Columbia ($105,200), California ($97,470), Arizona ($95,900), and Massachusetts ($95,380).
Washington
$126,920
District of Columbia
$105,200
California
$97,470
Arizona
$95,900
Massachusetts
$95,380
What is the Computer Programmer Salary by Place of Employment?
In addition to region and education, factors such as specialty, industry and employer have an effect on a computer programmer’s salary. The top-paying places of employment with the highest average annual salaries for this career are nonresidential building construction companies ($129,510), travel arrangement and reservation services ($112,480), manufacturing and reproducing magnetic and optical media ($111,660), securities and commodity contractors ($111,270), and natural gas distribution companies ($109,250). Most programmers work full time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the average hourly wage for computer programmers?
A: The average hourly wage was $43.07 in 2018.
Q: What is a computer programmer’s salary in Los Angeles?
A: The average salary for a computer programmer in Los Angeles was $92,900 in 2018.
A: The average hourly wage was $43.07 in 2018.
Q: What is a computer programmer’s salary in Los Angeles?
A: The average salary for a computer programmer in Los Angeles was $92,900 in 2018.
Average Computer Programmer Pay vs. Other Best Jobs
Computer Programmers earned an average salary of $89,580 in 2018. Comparable jobs earned the following average salary in 2018: Software Developers made $108,080, Database Administrators made $92,030, Computer Systems Administrators made $87,070, and Web Developers made $75,580.
Software Developer
Database Administrator
Computer Programmer
Computer Systems Administrator
Web Developer
Jobs Related to Computer Programmer
Software Developer - Average Salary $108,080
Software developers are the masterminds behind the technologies you can't imagine living without.
Database Administrator - Average Salary $92,030
A database administrator stores and organizes data using special software. It’s also this professional’s job to ensure data are secure.
Web Developer - Average Salary $75,580
A web developer produces websites based on each client’s needs.
Computer Systems Administrator - Average Salary $87,070
Computer systems administrators set up and maintain an organization's computer servers.
Software developers are the masterminds behind the technologies you can't imagine living without.
Database Administrator - Average Salary $92,030
A database administrator stores and organizes data using special software. It’s also this professional’s job to ensure data are secure.
Web Developer - Average Salary $75,580
A web developer produces websites based on each client’s needs.
Computer Systems Administrator - Average Salary $87,070
Computer systems administrators set up and maintain an organization's computer servers.