How Much Does a Computer Programmer Make?
Computer Programmers made a median salary of $82,240 in 2017. The best-paid 25 percent made $106,580 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $62,860.
Salary Outlook
What is the Outlook for Computer Programmers?
The BLS projects the number of positions in the computer programming field will decline 7 percent by 2026 due to companies outsourcing jobs to other countries with lower wages. This is expected to result in the loss of 21,300 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, Bellingham, San Francisco, San Jose, and Huntsville.
Seattle, Washington
$124,750
Bellingham, Washington
$110,220
San Francisco, California
$105,890
San Jose, California
$104,470
Huntsville, Alabama
$104,380
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 ($121,000), District of Columbia ($101,740), California ($96,270), Colorado ($96,100), and Virginia ($95,520).
Washington
$121,000
District of Columbia
$101,740
California
$96,270
Colorado
$96,100
Virginia
$95,520
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 ($122,240), securities and commodity contractors ($116,770), other wood product manufacturing companies ($112,150), travel arrangement and reservation services ($110,010) and natural gas distribution companies ($108,950). Most programmers work full time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the average hourly wage for computer programmers?
A: The average hourly wage was $42.08 in 2017.
Q: What is a computer programmer’s salary in Los Angeles?
A: The average salary for a computer programmer in Los Angeles was $91,470 in 2017.
A: The average hourly wage was $42.08 in 2017.
Q: What is a computer programmer’s salary in Los Angeles?
A: The average salary for a computer programmer in Los Angeles was $91,470 in 2017.
Average Computer Programmer Pay vs. Other Best Jobs
Computer Programmers earned an average salary of $87,530 in 2017. Comparable jobs earned the following average salary in 2017: Software Developers made $106,710, Database Administrators made $89,050, Computer Systems Administrators made $86,340, and Web Developers made $74,110.
Software Developer
Computer Programmer
Database Administrator
Computer Systems Administrator
Web Developer
Jobs Related to Computer Programmer
Software Developer - Average Salary $106,710
Software developers are the masterminds behind the technologies you can't imagine living without.
Database Administrator - Average Salary $89,050
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 $74,110
A web developer produces websites based on each client’s needs.
Computer Systems Administrator - Average Salary $86,340
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 $89,050
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 $74,110
A web developer produces websites based on each client’s needs.
Computer Systems Administrator - Average Salary $86,340
Computer systems administrators set up and maintain an organization's computer servers.