Computer Programmers Salary
Computer Programmers in Missouri make a median of $90,420 a year, or about $43.47 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $127K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $101,630 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 19.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $90K actually covers in Missouri, month by month
About computer programmers
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What this looks like in Missouri
Computer programmers pay in Missouri tracks closely to the national median, $90K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 10% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,097/month, 19.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $90K. Top earners bring in $127K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers salary by metro in Missouri
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $102K | +13% | 500 |
| St. Louis | $97K | +7% | 660 |
| Jefferson City | $81K | -10% | 70 |
| Springfield | $81K | -11% | 90 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a computer programmer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $90K, rent takes 19.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer programmers in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer programmers typically earn — is $55K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,685/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer programmer a high-paying job in Missouri?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $90K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for computer programmers?
Missouri pays $90K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $102K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer programmers make in Missouri?
The median is $90,420 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,760, and experienced computer programmers can clear $126,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $90K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,706/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 19.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer programmers salary go in Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (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 $101,630 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.