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Computer programmer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$100,390median pay per year, or $48.26 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $57,710lowest 10% earn less
  2. $75,85025th percentile
  3. $100,390median
  4. $130,68075th percentile
  5. $160,460top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median computer programmer earned $100,390 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to decline 7.3% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-7.3%[2]
Openings per year
4,400[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do computer programmers make?

In May 2025, the median wage for computer programmers was $100,390 a year, or $48.26 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $105,170 a year, or $50.56 an hour[7].

The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4]. The median for this job is above that figure.

Pay spreads widely. Here are the percentiles[3]:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][8] $57,710 $27.74
25th[3][8] $75,850 $36.47
75th[3][8] $130,680 $62.83
90th[3][8] $160,460 $77.15

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $57,710[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

Among the 46 states with published data, Connecticut had the highest median at $133,820[11]. Massachusetts followed at $128,390 and Washington at $125,620[11]. South Dakota had the lowest median in that list at $58,240[11].

California had the most jobs at 11,340[12]. Texas (7,620), New York (7,020), Florida (4,760) and Michigan (4,400) came next[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $154,920[13]. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT was next at $141,920[13]. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR was third at $136,880[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs at 6,670, with a median of $126,750[14].

Show median pay in 46 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Connecticut[11]$133,8201,650
Massachusetts$128,3901,930
Washington$125,6202,540
Maryland$125,5702,490
Virginia$121,6103,070
Hawaii$118,180450
California$116,76011,340
Arkansas$111,8401,050
Minnesota$107,2502,070
New Jersey$104,9403,930
Utah$104,890690
Colorado$104,610930
New York$103,9807,020
Maine$101,780450
Oklahoma$99,780990
South Carolina$99,740790
Oregon$99,5401,370
Texas$99,3307,620
Georgia$98,3801,890
Indiana$97,0001,520
Rhode Island$96,470250
Nebraska$95,1501,090
Kentucky$94,850950
Alabama$93,800890
Nevada$93,600840
Florida$93,1804,760
Kansas$92,960460
North Dakota$92,280190
Alaska$91,700530
Missouri$90,4201,520
Montana$89,920n/a
Vermont$89,560170
Pennsylvania$89,1803,120
Idaho$89,020n/a
Arizona$88,9901,560
Ohio$85,2702,100
Mississippi$85,1201,170
New Mexico$83,750600
Wyoming$81,64060
North Carolina$81,0704,120
Iowa$79,180950
New Hampshire$74,000n/a
Illinois$72,5401,280
Michigan$65,8604,400
West Virginia$65,320140
South Dakota$58,24070

How to become a computer programmer

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education for entry. It lists no work experience in a related occupation and no typical on-the-job training[6]. Here is the path the BLS handbook describes:

Some employers also hire people with degrees in other subjects or with proven skill in particular programming languages[15]. Programmers in fields such as healthcare or accounting may take classes in that field[15].

In an O*NET survey of 22 workers[17], 88% said a bachelor's degree is required[17]. Another 9% said an associate's degree[17]. Levels under 5% were not listed[17].

Programmers may become certified in specific programming languages or vendor products, and some companies require certification in the products they use[18]. To keep up with changing technology, programmers may take continuing education classes or attend seminars[19].

What computer programmers do

O*NET describes the job as creating, changing and testing the code and scripts that let applications run, often working from specifications written by software and web developers or others[20]. Common tasks include[21]:

Where they work

The handbook says programmers usually work in offices, which may be in their homes[22]. Full-time work is the usual schedule[23]. Computer systems design and related services was the largest employer at 24% in 2025[24]. BLS also reports that 14.6% of computer programmers were self-employed in 2025[25].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of computer programmers to decline 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 110,800 to 102,700 jobs, a change of -8,100[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[26]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

Even so, about 4,400 openings are projected each year on average[5]. Openings count jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, as well as brand new jobs[5]. Each year, 1.9% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 3% to move to a different occupation[27].

BLS names two factors. Programming tasks are more often done by other computer occupations, such as software developers. Programming work is also being automated, including with artificial intelligence (AI), which lets programmers become more efficient[28].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay well above the all-occupations median[1][4]. They also show that a bachelor's degree is the typical way in[6]. Employment is projected to shrink while all occupations grow, though about 4,400 openings a year are still projected[2][26][5]. The handbook names analytical, communication, detail-oriented and problem-solving skills as important[29][30][31][32]. Pay varies by state and city, so local figures are worth checking[11][13].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[33].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a computer programmer make an hour?
The median was $48.26 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $50.56[1][7]. The 10th percentile was $27.74 and the 90th was $77.15[8].
What degree do you need to be a computer programmer?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. The handbook points to a degree in a computer-related subject or a field such as mathematics[15].
Are computer programmers in demand?
BLS projects a 7.3% decline from 2025 to 2035[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[26]. About 4,400 openings are projected each year[5].
What is the highest paying state for computer programmers?
Connecticut had the highest median at $133,820, followed by Massachusetts at $128,390[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Computer Programmers in the US was $100,390 per year and $48.26 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Computer Programmers is projected to decline 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 110,800 to 102,700 jobs (a change of -8,100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Computer Programmers: 10th percentile $57,710, 25th percentile $75,850, 75th percentile $130,680, 90th percentile $160,460. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 4,400 openings for Computer Programmers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Computer Programmers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Computer Programmers was $105,170 per year and $50.56 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Computer Programmers: 10th percentile $27.74, 25th percentile $36.47, 75th percentile $62.83, 90th percentile $77.15. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Computer Programmers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Computer Programmers jobs: California 11,340; Texas 7,620; New York 7,020; Florida 4,760; Michigan 4,400. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Computer Programmers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $154,920; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $141,920; Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $136,880; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $134,130; Portland-South Portland, ME $131,960; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,730; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $130,390; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $128,900. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Computer Programmers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 6,670 (median $126,750); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 3,400 (median $107,090); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 3,260 (median $102,240); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 2,680 (median $130,390); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 2,440 (median $130,730); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 1,990. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. O*NET 15-1251.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 88%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET description of Computer Programmers. O*NET OnLine
  21. O*NET task list for Computer Programmers. O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of computer programmers in 2025: Computer systems design and related services 24%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. BLS Employment Projections: 14.6% of Computer Programmers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  26. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  27. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Computer Programmers: 1.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  28. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Computer Programmers: Productivity change, occupational substitution - share decreases as computer programming tasks are more commonly performed by other computer occupations, such as software developers. Computer programming work also continues to be automated, including with artificial intelligence (AI), allowing computer programmers to become more efficient. BLS Employment Projections
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.