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Senior computer programmer salary
Average senior computer programmer salary
$84,843
Understanding Senior Computer Programmer Salaries
The average salary for a Senior Computer Programmer in the United States is $84,843 annually, translating to about $41 per hour. Salaries can fluctuate based on various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and industry sector. For instance, programmers in technology hubs such as California and New York typically earn higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for advanced skills.
Additionally, experience plays a vital role in salary determination. Entry-level programmers may start at a lower range, while those with significant experience can command higher salaries. According to recent data, states like Washington and Massachusetts rank among the highest paying for this role. Understanding these factors is crucial for job seekers aiming to negotiate salaries effectively.
Trends Over Time
Historically, the salary for Senior Computer Programmers has shown consistent growth, reflecting the increasing reliance on technology across all sectors. For those looking to enhance their earning potential, pursuing continuous education and certifications can be beneficial. As businesses adapt to new technologies, skilled programmers remain in high demand, creating ample opportunities for career advancement.
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Where can a Senior Computer Programmer earn more?
Senior computer programmer salary estimates from across the web
Average senior computer programmer salary by state
The highest-paying states for senior computer programmers are Washington, Oregon, and California. The lowest average senior computer programmer salary states are Kentucky, New Mexico, and New Hampshire.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for senior computer programmers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $105,690 | $50.81 |
| 2 | Alaska | $89,265 | $42.92 |
| 3 | Washington | $107,227 | $51.55 |
| 4 | Maryland | $89,644 | $43.10 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $83,708 | $40.24 |
| 6 | Arizona | $84,441 | $40.60 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $85,430 | $41.07 |
| 8 | California | $96,918 | $46.60 |
| 9 | Virginia | $85,704 | $41.20 |
| 10 | Utah | $82,474 | $39.65 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $79,991 | $38.46 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $85,646 | $41.18 |
| 13 | Alabama | $82,228 | $39.53 |
| 14 | North Carolina | $82,673 | $39.75 |
| 15 | Texas | $81,498 | $39.18 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $76,629 | $36.84 |
| 17 | Nevada | $80,254 | $38.58 |
| 18 | Delaware | $80,988 | $38.94 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | $81,943 | $39.40 |
| 20 | Colorado | $83,088 | $39.95 |
| 21 | Tennessee | $77,511 | $37.26 |
| 22 | Georgia | $79,633 | $38.29 |
| 23 | South Carolina | $79,832 | $38.38 |
| 24 | Vermont | $75,907 | $36.49 |
| 25 | Idaho | $75,979 | $36.53 |
| 26 | Kansas | $76,496 | $36.78 |
| 27 | New York | $81,477 | $39.17 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $77,602 | $37.31 |
| 29 | Massachusetts | $77,879 | $37.44 |
| 30 | Michigan | $74,636 | $35.88 |
| 31 | Iowa | $75,643 | $36.37 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $70,962 | $34.12 |
| 33 | Maine | $73,851 | $35.51 |
| 34 | New Jersey | $79,522 | $38.23 |
| 35 | Ohio | $73,532 | $35.35 |
| 36 | Montana | $72,458 | $34.84 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $75,883 | $36.48 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $73,175 | $35.18 |
| 39 | Minnesota | $76,085 | $36.58 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $70,274 | $33.79 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $70,568 | $33.93 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| 44 | Florida | $73,607 | $35.39 |
| 45 | Indiana | $73,342 | $35.26 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $69,443 | $33.39 |
| 47 | New Hampshire | $69,565 | $33.44 |
| 48 | Missouri | $73,938 | $35.55 |
| 49 | Illinois | $72,222 | $34.72 |
| 50 | Kentucky | $70,553 | $33.92 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $66,999 | $32.21 |
Highest paying cities for senior computer programmers
The highest-paying cities for senior computer programmers are San Francisco, CA, Philadelphia, PA, and Richmond, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $106,304 | $51.11 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $86,195 | $41.44 |
| 3 | Richmond, VA | $85,524 | $41.12 |
| 4 | Hartford, CT | $84,805 | $40.77 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $84,547 | $40.65 |
| 6 | Durham, NC | $83,116 | $39.96 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $82,013 | $39.43 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $81,991 | $39.42 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $81,776 | $39.32 |
| 10 | Edison, NJ | $79,649 | $38.29 |
| 11 | Alpharetta, GA | $79,632 | $38.28 |
| 12 | Boston, MA | $77,687 | $37.35 |
| 13 | Minneapolis, MN | $76,133 | $36.60 |
| 14 | Tampa, FL | $74,620 | $35.88 |
| 15 | Wildwood, MO | $74,547 | $35.84 |
| 16 | Columbus, OH | $73,828 | $35.49 |
| 17 | Columbus, IN | $73,566 | $35.37 |
| 18 | Chicago, IL | $72,372 | $34.79 |
| 19 | Bentonville, AR | $66,209 | $31.83 |
Senior computer programmer salary details
A senior computer programmer's salary ranges from $64,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $110,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a senior computer programmer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $110,000 | $9,167 | $53 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,000 | $8,083 | $47 |
| Average | $84,843 | $7,070 | $41 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,000 | $6,083 | $35 |
| 10th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
Highest paying senior computer programmer jobs
The highest paying types of senior computer programmers are lead programmer, senior programmer, and programmer/analyst lead.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainframe Developer | $90,902 | $7,575 | $43.70 | 255,034 |
| Sap/Abap Developer | $104,432 | $8,703 | $50.21 | 92,478 |
| Program Development Internship | $33,686 | $2,807 | $16.19 | 150,632 |
| Program Developer | $74,749 | $6,229 | $35.94 | 128,488 |
| Programmer Analyst | $71,563 | $5,964 | $34.41 | 248,781 |
| Applications Programmer | $85,133 | $7,094 | $40.93 | 215,240 |
Top companies hiring senior computer programmers now:
Which companies pay senior computer programmers the most?
Senior computer programmer salaries at Pacific Gas and Electric and Nike are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average senior computer programmer salary at companies like A10 Networks and XDuce are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific Gas and Electric | $122,688 | $58.98 |
| 2 | Nike | $111,381 | $53.55 |
| 3 | A10 Networks | $99,781 | $47.97 |
| 4 | XDuce | $98,402 | $47.31 |
| 5 | Tekmark | $97,024 | $46.65 |
| 6 | Newegg | $96,923 | $46.60 |
| 7 | Nicopure Labs | $95,943 | $46.13 |
| 8 | Skytech | $95,183 | $45.76 |
| 9 | Saama Technologies Inc. | $94,550 | $45.46 |
| 10 | First Guaranty Mortgage | $94,143 | $45.26 |
| 11 | The Carney Group | $93,318 | $44.86 |
| 12 | Expicient | $92,598 | $44.52 |
| 13 | DXC Technology | $92,229 | $44.34 |
| 14 | Cnsi | $91,628 | $44.05 |
| 15 | Health Dialog | $91,416 | $43.95 |
| 16 | Saalex Solutions | $91,350 | $43.92 |
| 17 | Mobisoft Infotech | $91,292 | $43.89 |
| 18 | Indus Group | $90,556 | $43.54 |
| 19 | NextGen Venture Partners | $90,520 | $43.52 |
| 20 | Thane Direct | $90,516 | $43.52 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Senior computer programmer salary trends
The average senior computer programmer salary has risen by $15,738 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average senior computer programmer earned $69,105 annually, but today, they earn $84,843 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for senior computer programmers over the last decade.
Compare senior computer programmer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average senior computer programmer salary over time
Compare senior computer programmer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Senior computer programmer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $84,800 | $40.79 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $82,000 | $39.45 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $80,200 | $38.55 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $78,200 | $37.62 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $76,000 | $36.52 | +0.4% |
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