Average Salary for Computer Programmers
SOC 15-1131 · Computer and Mathematical Occupations · 2018 data
The median annual wage for Computer Programmers in the United States is $84,280 ($40.52/hr), based on 2018 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $48,790 at the 10th percentile to $134,630 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 230,470 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 8.7% since 2014.
Median Annual
$84,280
Mean Annual
$89,580
10th Pct
$48,790
75th Pct
$109,120
Employment
230,470
Salary Distribution
$49k
10th
$64k
25th
$84k
Median
$109k
75th
$135k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $134,420 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $116,610 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $113,750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $106,070 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $105,640 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $105,600 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $105,170 |
| Salinas, CA | $104,280 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $103,100 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $100,590 |
| Vallejo, CA | $98,650 |
| Ithaca, NY | $97,730 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $97,230 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $96,600 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $96,490 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Washington | $131,520 |
| District of Columbia | $106,150 |
| California | $95,370 |
| Colorado | $92,680 |
| Virginia | $92,550 |
| Massachusetts | $92,200 |
| Connecticut | $91,980 |
| North Carolina | $91,340 |
| Maryland | $88,860 |
| Illinois | $87,770 |
| Georgia | $87,770 |
| New York | $85,450 |
| Texas | $84,980 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,880 |
| Alaska | $84,840 |
| Arizona | $84,450 |
| Alabama | $82,410 |
| Maine | $82,230 |
| Nevada | $81,700 |
| Oregon | $81,260 |
| Minnesota | $81,200 |
| Utah | $79,750 |
| Oklahoma | $79,620 |
| Iowa | $78,630 |
| Tennessee | $77,490 |
| Delaware | $77,260 |
| New Jersey | $76,320 |
| Missouri | $76,140 |
| South Carolina | $75,680 |
| Wisconsin | $75,480 |
| Michigan | $75,080 |
| Nebraska | $74,920 |
| Indiana | $73,870 |
| New Hampshire | $73,850 |
| Vermont | $73,680 |
| Kansas | $73,350 |
| Florida | $72,860 |
| Ohio | $72,780 |
| Mississippi | $71,870 |
| Kentucky | $71,410 |
| New Mexico | $71,040 |
| North Dakota | $71,030 |
| Idaho | $69,260 |
| Montana | $68,690 |
| Arkansas | $66,940 |
| Louisiana | $66,550 |
| Hawaii | $66,540 |
| West Virginia | $66,220 |
| Wyoming | $64,740 |
| South Dakota | $55,950 |
| Puerto Rico | $42,190 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Computer Programmers broken down by industry sector, 2018 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $125,470 |
| Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services | $116,000 |
| Pipeline Transportation | $111,630 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $111,320 |
| Nuclear Electric Power Generation | $110,400 |
| Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media | $104,840 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $104,760 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $104,760 |
| Software Publishers | $103,530 |
| Construction of Buildings | $102,680 |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) | $101,590 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $99,820 |
| Monetary Authorities-Central Bank | $99,110 |
| Monetary Authorities-Central Bank | $99,110 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $98,640 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $98,550 |
| Sound Recording Industries | $98,280 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $98,040 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | $97,880 |
| Educational Support Services | $95,550 |
| Labor Unions and Similar Labor Organizations | $95,530 |
| Utilities | $95,240 |
| Utilities | $95,240 |
| Other Schools and Instruction | $95,030 |
| Information | $94,010 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $93,240 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $93,110 |
| Grantmaking and Giving Services | $93,000 |
| Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | $92,680 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | $92,540 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $92,150 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | $91,980 |
| Legal Services | $91,870 |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) | $91,750 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | $91,540 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $91,310 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $91,120 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | $91,090 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $90,590 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $90,460 |
| Engineering Services | $90,310 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | $90,240 |
| Spectator Sports | $90,200 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | $90,150 |
| Newspaper Publishers | $90,060 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 And 5223 only) | $89,800 |
| Other Information Services | $89,280 |
| Other Information Services | $89,280 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | $89,060 |
| Employment Services | $88,890 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | $88,860 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $88,840 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $88,810 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $88,730 |
| Gambling Industries | $88,580 |
| Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers | $88,420 |
| Finance and Insurance | $88,260 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $88,130 |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers | $87,950 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | $87,950 |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers | $87,950 |
| Insurance Carriers | $87,450 |
| All Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | $87,170 |
| Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers | $87,140 |
| Home Health Care Services | $86,970 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $86,930 |
| Truck Transportation | $86,920 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | $86,900 |
| Temporary Help Services | $86,880 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $86,880 |
| Direct Selling Establishments | $86,700 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | $86,180 |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries | $86,050 |
| Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses | $86,010 |
| Wholesale Trade | $85,810 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities | $85,800 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers | $85,790 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages | $85,640 |
| Nonstore Retailers | $85,610 |
| Ship and Boat Building | $85,560 |
| Nondepository Credit Intermediation | $85,550 |
| Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) | $85,520 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $85,500 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $85,500 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $85,500 |
| Cross-industry, private ownership only | $85,480 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | $85,430 |
| Telecommunications | $85,420 |
| Construction | $85,410 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $85,410 |
| Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | $85,190 |
| Postal Service (federal government) | $84,730 |
| Postal Service (federal government) | $84,730 |
| Federal government, including the US Postal Service | $84,730 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $84,460 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | $84,420 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $84,390 |
| Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services | $84,300 |
| Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services | $84,300 |
| Direct Insurance (except Life, Health, and Medical) Carriers | $84,290 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $84,120 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $84,070 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $84,070 |
| Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation | $84,020 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | $83,850 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) | $83,740 |
| Other Textile Product Mills | $83,650 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | $83,610 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $83,450 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $83,230 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | $83,180 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $83,080 |
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | $83,040 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $83,010 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $83,000 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | $82,960 |
| Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities | $82,950 |
| Technical and Trade Schools | $82,920 |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) | $82,880 |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) | $82,880 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | $82,820 |
| Investigation and Security Services | $82,730 |
| Manufacturing | $82,710 |
| Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities | $82,710 |
| Security Systems Services | $82,460 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $82,390 |
| Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities | $82,380 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | $82,330 |
| Office Administrative Services | $82,280 |
| Textile Product Mills | $81,870 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $81,690 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $81,650 |
| Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | $81,580 |
| Utility System Construction | $81,510 |
| Facilities Support Services | $81,500 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $81,470 |
| Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | $81,440 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | $81,310 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) | $81,280 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $81,190 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $81,190 |
| Offices of Physicians | $81,150 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only) | $81,040 |
| Hospitals | $80,870 |
| Textile Mills | $80,670 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores | $80,480 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores | $80,480 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $80,420 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | $80,370 |
| Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | $80,340 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $80,250 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $80,250 |
| Textile Furnishings Mills | $80,230 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $80,100 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $80,050 |
| Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | $80,040 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | $79,900 |
| Other Insurance Related Activities | $79,550 |
| Paper Manufacturing | $79,540 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | $79,320 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $79,260 |
| Testing Laboratories | $79,010 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | $78,780 |
| Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | $78,730 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | $78,620 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | $78,480 |
| Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $78,300 |
| State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) | $78,200 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | $78,080 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding state and local schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OES Designation) | $78,050 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding state and local schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OES Designation) | $78,050 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | $78,040 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $77,520 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $77,470 |
| Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation) | $77,300 |
| Business Support Services | $77,260 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | $77,180 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | $77,070 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | $76,970 |
| Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $76,920 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | $76,920 |
| Specialized Design Services | $76,630 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement | $76,600 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | $76,450 |
| Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | $76,320 |
| Other Support Services | $76,310 |
| Food Manufacturing | $76,130 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | $75,880 |
| Religious Organizations | $75,800 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | $75,750 |
| Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | $75,410 |
| Federal, state, and local government, including government owned schools and hospitals, and the US Postal Service | $75,260 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | $75,250 |
| State government, including schools and hospitals | $75,220 |
| Local government, including schools and hospitals | $74,840 |
| Retail Trade | $74,700 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $74,660 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $74,530 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $74,530 |
| Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers | $74,430 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $74,380 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | $74,370 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | $74,300 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | $74,240 |
| Rail Transportation | $74,230 |
| Rail Transportation | $74,230 |
| Business Schools and Computer and Management Training | $74,150 |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores | $73,530 |
| Dairy Product Manufacturing | $73,480 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $73,370 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $72,950 |
| Educational Services | $72,810 |
| Real Estate | $72,780 |
| Social Assistance | $72,430 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $72,370 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $72,240 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores | $72,020 |
| Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers | $71,680 |
| Machine Shops | $71,370 |
| Individual and Family Services | $71,300 |
| Other Personal Services | $71,110 |
| Repair and Maintenance | $70,920 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers | $70,790 |
| Home Furnishings Stores | $70,420 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores | $70,380 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities | $70,330 |
| Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities | $69,950 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $69,840 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $69,840 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $69,660 |
| Civic and Social Organizations | $69,560 |
| Educational Services | $69,280 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | $69,200 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | $68,860 |
| Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities | $68,720 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | $68,460 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services | $68,420 |
| Personal and Laundry Services | $67,000 |
| Animal Food Manufacturing | $66,800 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | $66,440 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | $65,630 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | $65,170 |
| Foundries | $65,140 |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | $64,460 |
| Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance | $63,630 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $62,950 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $62,260 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $62,260 |
| Junior Colleges | $60,740 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores | $56,950 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores | $56,950 |
| Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals | $56,160 |
| General Merchandise Stores | $38,510 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $84,280 |
| 2017 | $82,240 |
| 2016 | $79,840 |
| 2015 | $79,530 |
| 2014 | $77,550 |