SOC 15-1251 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Computer Programmers — Houston
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Computer Programmers in Houston, TX is $96,440 per year, close to the national median of $100,390 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Computer Programmers in Houston, TX is $96,440 per year, close to the national median of $100,390 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $56,180 at the tenth percentile to more than $145,510 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $71,530 to $126,450.
The area has 1,340 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.69 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Dallas leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $102,240. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 133rd of 699 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $56,180 | −44.0% |
| 25th | $71,530 | −28.7% |
| Median (50th) | $96,440 | −3.9% |
| 75th | $126,450 | +26.0% |
| 90th | $145,510 | +44.9% |
| Mean | $99,430 | −1.0% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas | $102,240 | 3,260 | |
| 2 | Austin | $100,700 | — | |
| 3 | Waco | $86,900 | 70 | |
| 4 | Beaumont | $82,560 | 40 | |
| 5 | Killeen | $81,230 | 40 | |
| 6 | College Station | $80,620 | 60 | |
| 7 | Amarillo | $77,570 | 60 | |
| 8 | Longview | $76,490 | 40 | |
| 9 | Midland | $75,640 | 60 | |
| 10 | Corpus Christi | $74,500 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Houston run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $96,440 goes as far as $99,320 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$96,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$99,320US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $96,440 a year, 3.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $56,180 to $145,510 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,340 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Dallas, at $102,240.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Computer Programmers in Houston, TX?
The median annual wage is $96,440, or $46.36 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $100,390, so pay in Houston, TX is 3.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Houston, TX earns more than $145,510 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $56,180 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Dallas, at $102,240 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,340 jobs in this occupation in Houston, TX. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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