Research Summary. After extensive research by the Zippia data science team, we identified these details of programmer salary by state for the United States:
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Washington has the highest programmer salary of $91,320
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Florida has the lowest programmer salary of $52,968
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The national average salary for programmers is $73,007
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The national hourly pay for programmers is $35.1
You can read more on the specific methodology.
Background
In today’s job market, salary remains a crucial factor for job seekers. Understanding how much programmers earn in various locations is vital for making informed career decisions.
While individual salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, education, and specific job roles, reliable data on average programmer salaries by state can provide a helpful benchmark. This information is particularly relevant as programming and tech roles continue to evolve in a rapidly changing landscape.
The state with the highest salary for programmers is Washington.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the top ten states for programmer salaries:
Let’s explore the full ranking of all the states.
Highest-Paid Programmers By State
| Rank | State | Average Programmer Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $91,320 | $67,000 | $124,000 |
| 2 | Oregon | $81,648 | $60,000 | $110,000 |
| 3 | California | $81,522 | $59,000 | $110,000 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $77,842 | $59,000 | $102,000 |
| 5 | Nevada | $76,243 | $55,000 | $104,000 |
| 6 | Maine | $76,035 | $58,000 | $99,000 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $74,819 | $56,000 | $99,000 |
| 8 | New York | $74,663 | $56,000 | $98,000 |
| 9 | Maryland | $74,509 | $56,000 | $98,000 |
| 10 | Idaho | $74,502 | $54,000 | $102,000 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $74,392 | $56,000 | $98,000 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $74,383 | $56,000 | $98,000 |
| 13 | Arizona | $74,296 | $55,000 | $100,000 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $74,174 | $56,000 | $97,000 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $73,653 | $55,000 | $97,000 |
| 16 | Illinois | $73,581 | $55,000 | $96,000 |
| 17 | Virginia | $73,456 | $55,000 | $96,000 |
| 18 | Georgia | $73,144 | $54,000 | $98,000 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $72,907 | $55,000 | $96,000 |
| 20 | Vermont | $71,787 | $54,000 | $94,000 |
| 21 | Mississippi | $71,637 | $52,000 | $96,000 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $70,779 | $53,000 | $93,000 |
| 23 | Alaska | $70,579 | $58,000 | $84,000 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $70,065 | $52,000 | $92,000 |
| 25 | Indiana | $69,909 | $53,000 | $92,000 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $69,730 | $52,000 | $92,000 |
| 27 | Texas | $69,160 | $50,000 | $95,000 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $69,099 | $51,000 | $92,000 |
| 29 | Iowa | $69,017 | $52,000 | $91,000 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $68,664 | $52,000 | $90,000 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $68,561 | $52,000 | $90,000 |
| 32 | Ohio | $68,555 | $52,000 | $90,000 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $68,484 | $51,000 | $90,000 |
| 34 | Utah | $68,253 | $49,000 | $93,000 |
| 35 | Delaware | $68,241 | $51,000 | $90,000 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $68,237 | $49,000 | $94,000 |
| 37 | Missouri | $67,671 | $51,000 | $89,000 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $67,637 | $50,000 | $90,000 |
| 39 | Michigan | $67,584 | $51,000 | $88,000 |
| 40 | Alabama | $67,300 | $49,000 | $90,000 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $66,984 | $50,000 | $89,000 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $66,617 | $49,000 | $90,000 |
| 43 | Colorado | $66,308 | $48,000 | $90,000 |
| 44 | Kansas | $65,609 | $49,000 | $87,000 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $65,465 | $48,000 | $87,000 |
| 46 | Montana | $61,200 | $44,000 | $84,000 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $59,221 | $44,000 | $79,000 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $57,596 | $42,000 | $78,000 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $54,838 | $44,000 | $66,000 |
| 50 | Florida | $52,968 | $35,000 | $80,000 |
Methodology: Programmer Salary By State
To analyze programmer pay by state, Zippia has aggregated data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and actual job postings. Our data science team computes a weighted average based on these inputs to present an accurate picture of programmer salaries by state.
We compiled average annual salary data for programmers from these estimates and ranked states accordingly, with the highest salary ranking as the top state for programmer earnings.
Programmer Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for programmers?
The highest-paid state for programmers is Washington with an average salary of $91,320 per year.
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What city pays programmers the most?
Bothell, WA pays programmers the most with an average salary of $91,793 per year.
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What is the worst state for programmers?
The worst state for programmers is Florida with an average salary of $52,968 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
