Computer Programmers Salary
Computer Programmers in New York make a median of $103,980 a year, or about $49.99 an hour. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $172K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.21), that's roughly $105,875 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,917/month, or 30% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New York. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $104K get you in New York?
About computer programmers
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What this looks like in New York
Computer programmers pay in New York tracks closely to the national median, $104K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 4% difference. Rent runs $1,917/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.21) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $104K. Top earners bring in $172K or more, a $106K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers salary by metro in New York
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $127K | +22% | 6,670 |
| Syracuse | $100K | -4% | 210 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | $94K | -9% | 430 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | $93K | -11% | 110 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $84K | -19% | 1,430 |
| Rochester | $83K | -20% | 290 |
| Binghamton | $81K | -23% | 130 |
| Utica-Rome | $79K | -24% | 80 |
Compare to other states
Track computer programmers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New York numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer programmer afford a 2BR apartment alone in New York?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $104K, rent takes 30.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,917/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer programmers in New York?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer programmers typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,958/month. At HUD’s $1,917/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is computer programmer a high-paying job in New York?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $104K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does New York compare to the national average for computer programmers?
New York pays $104K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s +4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.21), the purchasing-power equivalent is $106K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer programmers make in New York?
The median is $103,980 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,970, and experienced computer programmers can clear $172,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $104K enough to live in New York?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,362/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,917/month, which eats 30.1% 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 New York?
New York has a Regional Price Parity of 98.21 (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 $105,875 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.