SOC 15-1251 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Computer Programmers — Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 3 metro areas compared
At $128,390 a year, the median wage for Computer Programmers in Massachusetts sits 27.9% above the national figure of $100,390.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $128,390 a year, the median wage for Computer Programmers in Massachusetts sits 27.9% above the national figure of $100,390. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $101,290 and $141,660. The lowest tenth earn under $77,060, while the highest tenth earn more than $168,310.
The area has 1,930 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.89 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Massachusetts ranks number 2nd out of 46 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Boston records the highest median at $128,900. Of the 717 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 70th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $77,060 | −23.2% |
| 25th | $101,290 | +0.9% |
| Median (50th) | $128,390 | +27.9% |
| 75th | $141,660 | +41.1% |
| 90th | $168,310 | +67.7% |
| Mean | $127,520 | +27.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Massachusetts
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $128,900 | 1,600 | |
| 2 | Worcester | $119,010 | 90 | |
| 3 | Amherst Town | $68,090 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Massachusetts run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $128,390 buys what $121,352 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 20.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$128,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$121,352US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $128,390 a year, 27.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $77,060 to $168,310 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,930 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 2nd of 46 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boston, at $128,900.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Computer Programmers in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage is $128,390, or $61.73 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 Massachusetts is 27.9% higher. 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 Massachusetts earns more than $168,310 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $77,060 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 Boston, at $128,900 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,930 jobs in this occupation in Massachusetts. 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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