SOC 15-1251 · May 2025 · United States
Computer Programmers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Computer Programmers across the United States is $100,390 per year, measured over 92,230 jobs. The highest state median is in Connecticut, at $133,820.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to decline
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- -6.0%
- Openings per year
- 5,500
- Typical entry-level education
- Bachelor's degree
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
6.2% of people in this occupation work for themselves.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Computer Programmers
Pay for this occupation varies by 129.8% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Connecticut pays $133,820 and South Dakota pays $58,240.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $133,820 | 1,650 | |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $128,390 | 1,930 | |
| 3 | Washington | $125,620 | 2,540 | |
| 4 | Maryland | $125,570 | 2,490 | |
| 5 | Virginia | $121,610 | 3,070 | |
| 6 | Hawaii | $118,180 | 450 | |
| 7 | California | $116,760 | 11,340 | |
| 8 | Arkansas | $111,840 | 1,050 | |
| 9 | Minnesota | $107,250 | 2,070 | |
| 10 | New Jersey | $104,940 | 3,930 |
States with the most Computer Programmers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 11,340 | $116,760 | |
| 2 | Texas | 7,620 | $99,330 | |
| 3 | New York | 7,020 | $103,980 | |
| 4 | Florida | 4,760 | $93,180 | |
| 5 | Michigan | 4,400 | $65,860 | |
| 6 | North Carolina | 4,120 | $81,070 | |
| 7 | New Jersey | 3,930 | $104,940 | |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 3,120 | $89,180 | |
| 9 | Virginia | 3,070 | $121,610 | |
| 10 | Washington | 2,540 | $125,620 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $155,030 | — |
| 2 | San Jose | $154,920 | 980 |
| 3 | Hartford | $141,920 | 1,150 |
| 4 | Fayetteville | $136,880 | 490 |
| 5 | San Diego | $134,130 | 1,600 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz | $132,850 | 90 |
| 7 | Bend | $132,280 | 90 |
| 8 | Portland | $131,960 | 190 |
| 9 | Bridgeport | $130,790 | — |
| 10 | San Francisco | $130,730 | 2,440 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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