Computer Programmers Career, Salary and Skills
Computer Programmers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $100,390 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 92,230. Wage data is published for 254 locations.
Occupation description
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
O*NET code
15-1251.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
National salary and employment
Median annual
$100,390
Hourly median
$48.26
Employment
92,230
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Programming | 4.75 | 4.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.38 | 3.50 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.38 | 3.25 |
| Writing | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Speaking | 3.12 | 3.38 |
Typical tasks
- Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
- Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
- Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
- Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
- Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language.
- Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.
- Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
Technology
- A programming language APL
- ABC Compiler
- ABC: the AspectBench Compiler for AspectJ
- Ada
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe ActionScript
- Adobe ColdFusion
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Flex
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe PostScript
- Advanced business application programming ABAP
- AJAX
Computer Programmers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Computer Programmers Salary in CAMedian $116,760 · Employment 11,340
- Computer Programmers Salary in TXMedian $99,330 · Employment 7,620
- Computer Programmers Salary in NYMedian $103,980 · Employment 7,020
- Computer Programmers Salary in New York, NYMedian $126,750 · Employment 6,670
- Computer Programmers Salary in FLMedian $93,180 · Employment 4,760
- Computer Programmers Salary in MIMedian $65,860 · Employment 4,400
- Computer Programmers Salary in NCMedian $81,070 · Employment 4,120
- Computer Programmers Salary in NJMedian $104,940 · Employment 3,930
- Computer Programmers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $107,090 · Employment 3,400
- Computer Programmers Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $102,240 · Employment 3,260
- Computer Programmers Salary in PAMedian $89,180 · Employment 3,120
- Computer Programmers Salary in VAMedian $121,610 · Employment 3,070
Related careers
- Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $96,980
- Data ScientistsNational median $120,230
- Computer User Support SpecialistsNational median $61,860
- Web AdministratorsNational median $116,580
- Computer and Information Research ScientistsNational median $140,300
- Data Warehousing SpecialistsNational median $139,500
- Computer and Information Systems ManagersNational median $175,140
- Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsNational median $99,130
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.