Computer Programmers Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Computer Programmers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC make a median of $43,350 a year, or about $20.84 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers. Note: the mean (average) wage is $67K, significantly higher than the median. This typically reflects a mix of employment settings including academic and private practice positions. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.49), which stretches that salary to about $48,989 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,095/month — about 36.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $43K get you in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton’s Regional Price Parity (88.49). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About computer programmers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $43K. Top earners bring in $129K or more, a $86K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $159K | +61% | 3,220 |
| Montana | $129K | +30% | 450 |
| Oregon | $127K | +29% | 1,180 |
| California | $116K | +18% | 14,720 |
| Massachusetts | $115K | +17% | 3,040 |
| Virginia | $112K | +13% | 4,210 |
| Wisconsin | $110K | +11% | 3,020 |
| Minnesota | $108K | +10% | 1,960 |
| Hawaii | $108K | +9% | N/A |
| Wyoming | $105K | +7% | 60 |
| Kentucky | $105K | +6% | 1,640 |
| Maine | $103K | +4% | 420 |
| Maryland | $103K | +4% | 2,360 |
| New Jersey | $103K | +4% | 4,000 |
| Oklahoma | $101K | +2% | 1,420 |
| Delaware | $101K | +2% | 370 |
| Arkansas | $101K | +2% | 1,140 |
| South Carolina | $101K | +2% | 880 |
| Connecticut | $101K | +2% | 1,460 |
| New York | $100K | +2% | 7,090 |
| Ohio | $100K | +1% | 2,030 |
| Tennessee | $99K | +1% | 1,300 |
| Florida | $99K | -0% | 4,700 |
| Georgia | $98K | -1% | 2,330 |
| North Carolina | $96K | -3% | 3,880 |
| Rhode Island | $95K | -4% | 360 |
| Nebraska | $94K | -5% | 1,390 |
| Missouri | $94K | -5% | 1,410 |
| Nevada | $93K | -6% | 420 |
| Kansas | $92K | -7% | 600 |
| Alaska | $89K | -10% | 520 |
| North Dakota | $89K | -10% | 230 |
| Utah | $88K | -10% | 1,200 |
| Alabama | $87K | -12% | 1,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $85K | -14% | 4,130 |
| Iowa | $85K | -14% | 1,020 |
| Louisiana | $84K | -15% | 1,640 |
| New Mexico | $84K | -15% | 490 |
| Indiana | $84K | -15% | 2,120 |
| Illinois | $83K | -15% | 1,470 |
| District of Columbia | $83K | -16% | 1,000 |
| New Hampshire | $81K | -18% | 590 |
| Texas | $81K | -18% | 11,220 |
| Idaho | $80K | -19% | 170 |
| Vermont | $78K | -21% | 150 |
| Arizona | $72K | -27% | 4,170 |
| Michigan | $69K | -30% | 5,350 |
| West Virginia | $65K | -34% | 190 |
| Mississippi | $65K | -34% | 600 |
| South Dakota | $57K | -43% | 70 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track computer programmers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do computer programmers make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median is $43,350 a year, that works out to about $21 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,350, and experienced computer programmers can clear $129,150. The mean (average) is $66,600, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $43K enough to live in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,910/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,095/month, which eats 37.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a computer programmers salary go in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton?
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton has a Regional Price Parity of 88.49 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer programmers salary is worth about $48,989 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer programmers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.