How to Become a Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers earn a median salary of $100,390/year in the United States. Most positions require Bachelor's degree. Job growth is projected at -10% over the next decade. The highest-paying states include Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington.
Where Computer Programmers have the most money left over after rent
Median pay minus estimated federal + state + FICA taxes, minus 12 months of rent at HUD's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent. Darker green means more money left over each year. Hover any state for the breakdown.
View map data as a table
| State | Median (nominal) | Rent/mo (2BR) | Left after rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $126K | $1,830 | $75K |
| Connecticut | $134K | $1,679 | $75K |
| Arkansas | $112K | $1,021 | $71K |
| Maryland | $126K | $1,795 | $69K |
| Virginia | $122K | $1,646 | $68K |
| Massachusetts | $128K | $2,347 | $64K |
| Minnesota | $107K | $1,384 | $61K |
| Oklahoma | $100K | $1,081 | $61K |
| Texas | $99K | $1,415 | $61K |
| Utah | $105K | $1,350 | $61K |
| Indiana | $97K | $1,144 | $60K |
| Maine | $102K | $1,281 | $59K |
| North Dakota | $92K | $1,034 | $59K |
| South Carolina | $100K | $1,263 | $59K |
| Kentucky | $95K | $1,110 | $58K |
| Nebraska | $95K | $1,113 | $58K |
| Alabama | $94K | $1,085 | $57K |
| Hawaii | $118K | $2,240 | $56K |
| Kansas | $93K | $1,066 | $56K |
| Nevada | $94K | $1,501 | $56K |
| Georgia | $98K | $1,434 | $55K |
| Missouri | $90K | $1,097 | $55K |
| Colorado | $105K | $1,832 | $55K |
| Florida | $93K | $1,658 | $54K |
| Montana | $90K | $1,129 | $54K |
| Rhode Island | $96K | $1,544 | $54K |
| Wyoming | $82K | $1,008 | $54K |
| California | $117K | $2,471 | $54K |
| Idaho | $89K | $1,136 | $53K |
| New Jersey | $105K | $2,067 | $53K |
| New York | $104K | $1,917 | $53K |
| Alaska | $92K | $1,643 | $53K |
| Ohio | $85K | $1,188 | $52K |
| Oregon | $100K | $1,555 | $52K |
| Pennsylvania | $89K | $1,351 | $52K |
| Arizona | $89K | $1,437 | $52K |
| Mississippi | $85K | $1,077 | $51K |
| New Mexico | $84K | $1,119 | $51K |
| Vermont | $90K | $1,498 | $50K |
| Iowa | $79K | $1,064 | $47K |
| North Carolina | $81K | $1,284 | $46K |
| New Hampshire | $74K | $1,528 | $42K |
| West Virginia | $65K | $1,008 | $40K |
| Illinois | $73K | $1,407 | $39K |
| Michigan | $66K | $1,272 | $37K |
| South Dakota | $58K | $1,017 | $37K |
Education and training
Technology careers span a wide range of educational paths. Some roles (data science, machine learning, cybersecurity engineering) strongly favor bachelor's or master's degrees in computer science or related fields. Others (web development, IT support, DevOps, QA testing) are increasingly accessible through coding bootcamps, certifications, and self-directed learning. The common thread: demonstrable skills matter more than credentials in most tech hiring, and portfolios or project work often carry more weight than GPAs.
Breaking into computer programmers work usually requires Bachelor's degree. Hands-on experience through internships, entry-level positions, or structured training complements formal education.
Licensing and certification
Unlike healthcare, law, or engineering, most technology careers have no mandatory licensure. Voluntary certifications exist and can be valuable for specific domains, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud certifications for cloud engineers; CISSP for security professionals; PMP for project managers, but they're career enhancers, not requirements. The barrier to entry is skill, not credentials.
What the day-to-day looks like
Technology work is predominantly screen-based: writing code, configuring systems, analyzing data, designing interfaces, or managing projects. Most tech roles involve collaboration through tools like Slack, Jira, and GitHub, with a mix of independent deep work and team meetings. Remote work is more prevalent in technology than in any other sector, with roughly 30-40% of tech roles fully remote.
Career progression
Technology careers typically follow a dual-track progression: the individual contributor (IC) track and the management track. IC progression goes from junior to mid to senior to staff to principal, each level involving broader scope and harder problems, not necessarily managing people. The management track leads from team lead to engineering manager to director to VP. Compensation at senior IC and management levels is comparable, and switching between tracks is common.
Salary progression
Highest paying states
| State | Median salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $134K | 1,650 |
| Massachusetts | $128K | 1,930 |
| Washington | $126K | 2,540 |
| Maryland | $126K | 2,490 |
| Virginia | $122K | 3,070 |
| Hawaii | $118K | 450 |
| California | $117K | 11,340 |
| Arkansas | $112K | 1,050 |
| Minnesota | $107K | 2,070 |
| New Jersey | $105K | 3,930 |
Where the jobs are
The highest-paying state for computer programmersis Connecticut at $133,820/year, that's $33,430 above the national median. But higher pay often comes with higher costs. Before assuming the top-paying state is the best financial move, check the full affordability breakdown for Connecticut.
The pay gap between the highest and lowest-paying states is $75,580. That spread sounds dramatic, but cost-of-living differences offset much of it. A computer programmers making $58,240 in South Dakota may have more purchasing power than one making $133,820 in Connecticut if rent and local prices differ enough.
By employment volume, the states with the most computer programmers jobs are California (11,340 workers), Texas (7,620 workers), New York (7,020 workers). High employment numbers mean more job openings, more employer competition for talent, and usually more leverage when negotiating salary. States with fewer workers in the field may pay less but also have less competition for positions.
For the full state-by-state comparison with salary percentiles, cost-of-living adjustment, and rent affordability for computer programmers, see the complete salary data page.
Salary negotiation
Tech compensation is highly negotiable, especially at the senior level. Total compensation (base + stock + bonus) often exceeds base salary by 30-100% at major companies. The most effective strategy: interview at multiple companies simultaneously and use competing offers. Even without competing offers, demonstrating specialized skills in high-demand areas (AI/ML, security, distributed systems) commands a premium.
What the data doesn't tell you
BLS technology occupation categories are unusually broad. "Software Developers" includes everyone from junior bootcamp graduates to principal engineers at FAANG companies. The percentile range (10th to 90th) is more informative than the median for technology roles.
See the full salary picture
Percentile breakdown, cost of living, rent burden, and purchasing power for computer programmers in every metro.
View Computer Programmers salaries →Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmers make?▼
The median computer programmers salary in the United States is $100,390 per year ($48/hour). Entry-level positions start around $57,710, while experienced professionals earn up to $160,460.
What education do you need to become a computer programmer?▼
Most computer programmers positions require Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by state and employer. Check with your state's licensing board for specific requirements.
What is the job outlook for computer programmers?▼
Employment of computer programmers is projected to grow -10% over the next decade, with approximately 2,200 annual openings. This is about average for all occupations.
What are the highest paying states for computer programmers?▼
The highest paying states for computer programmers are Connecticut ($133,820), Massachusetts ($128,390), Washington ($125,620), Maryland ($125,570), Virginia ($121,610). Salaries vary significantly by location due to cost of living and local demand.