Computer Programmers Salary
Computer Programmers in North Carolina make a median of $81,070 a year, or about $38.98 an hour. The range runs from $26K at the entry level to $135K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $87,492 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 24.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $81K get you in North Carolina?
About computer programmers
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Pay for computer programmers in North Carolina runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $100K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 24.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, North Carolina can be a reasonable trade-off for computer programmerss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $26K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $135K or more, a $109K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers salary by metro in North Carolina
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $107K | +32% | 60 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $105K | +30% | 450 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $85K | +5% | 670 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $85K | +4% | 190 |
| Winston-Salem | $84K | +3% | 230 |
| Wilmington | $80K | -2% | 70 |
| Asheville | $77K | -4% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track computer programmers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer programmer afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 24.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer programmers in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer programmers typically earn — is $26K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,570/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 82% 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 North Carolina?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $81K here vs. $100K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for computer programmers?
North Carolina pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $87K — below the national median.
How much do computer programmers make in North Carolina?
The median is $81,070 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $26,170, and experienced computer programmers can clear $134,780. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,148/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 24.9% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (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 $87,492 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.