Computer Programmers
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2,110 | $87,890 | $42.26 | |
| Alaska | 450 | $96,840 | $46.56 | |
| Arizona | 2,390 | $79,350 | $38.15 | |
| Arkansas | 1,600 | $89,510 | $43.04 | |
| California | 23,960 | $114,740 | $55.16 | |
| Colorado | 1,670 | $100,310 | $48.23 | |
| Connecticut | 2,500 | $86,470 | $41.57 | |
| Delaware | 550 | $93,330 | $44.87 | |
| District of Columbia | 840 | $112,120 | $53.90 | |
| Florida | 7,110 | $83,040 | $39.92 | |
| Georgia | 3,770 | $100,670 | $48.40 | |
| Hawaii | 180 | $100,430 | $48.28 | |
| Idaho | 1,180 | $72,490 | $34.85 | |
| Illinois | 3,610 | $91,060 | $43.78 | |
| Indiana | 2,560 | $85,130 | $40.93 | |
| Iowa | 1,310 | $78,480 | $37.73 | |
| Kansas | 1,160 | $86,850 | $41.76 | |
| Kentucky | 1,480 | $82,370 | $39.60 | |
| Louisiana | 1,240 | $78,650 | $37.81 | |
| Maine | 360 | $86,430 | $41.55 | |
| Maryland | 4,940 | $95,830 | $46.07 | |
| Massachusetts | $108,980 | $52.40 | ||
| Michigan | 3,730 | $80,560 | $38.73 | |
| Minnesota | 1,430 | $94,590 | $45.48 | |
| Mississippi | 450 | $65,630 | $31.55 | |
| Missouri | 2,080 | $77,830 | $37.42 | |
| Montana | 1,050 | $82,130 | $39.49 | |
| Nebraska | 1,860 | $73,510 | $35.34 | |
| Nevada | 1,320 | $82,840 | $39.83 | |
| New Hampshire | 790 | $88,690 | $42.64 | |
| New Jersey | 6,520 | $107,480 | $51.67 | |
| New Mexico | 880 | $68,770 | $33.06 | |
| New York | 12,610 | $93,510 | $44.96 | |
| North Carolina | 4,580 | $101,140 | $48.62 | |
| North Dakota | 380 | $86,670 | $41.67 | |
| Ohio | 3,420 | $77,340 | $37.18 | |
| Oklahoma | 1,260 | $80,780 | $38.84 | |
| Oregon | 1,590 | $97,700 | $46.97 | |
| Pennsylvania | 5,760 | $87,190 | $41.92 | |
| Rhode Island | 430 | $98,720 | $47.46 | |
| South Carolina | 1,940 | $92,390 | $44.42 | |
| South Dakota | 170 | $60,620 | $29.14 | |
| Tennessee | 1,350 | $90,930 | $43.72 | |
| Texas | 14,220 | $80,950 | $38.92 | |
| Utah | 2,700 | $97,050 | $46.66 | |
| Vermont | 130 | $76,860 | $36.95 | |
| Virginia | 4,010 | $112,890 | $54.28 | |
| Washington | 3,850 | $183,610 | $88.27 | |
| West Virginia | 380 | $73,670 | $35.42 | |
| Wisconsin | 3,390 | $95,370 | $45.85 | |
| Wyoming | 70 | $78,430 | $37.71 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that focuses on the general writing and implementation of generic and customized programs to drive operating systems and that generally prepares individuals to apply the methods and procedures of software design and programming to software installation and maintenance. Includes instruction in software design, low- and high-level languages and program writing; program customization and linking; prototype testing; troubleshooting; and related aspects of operating systems and networks.
A program that prepares individuals to apply the knowledge and skills of general computer programming to the solution of specific operational problems and customization requirements presented by individual software users and organizational users. Includes training in specific types of software and its installation and maintenance.
A program that prepares individuals to fulfill the requirements set by vendors for professional qualification as certified installation, customization, and maintenance engineers for specific software products and/or processes. Includes training in specific vendor-supported software products and their installation and maintenance.
A program that prepares individuals to apply the knowledge and skills of design and computer programming to the development of computer games. Includes training in character and story development, computer programming, computer graphics, game design, game physics, human-computer interaction, human-centered design, and usability.
A program that prepares individuals to design, develop, and implement software-based solutions for specific business and consumer platforms including industrial, game, mobile, tactile, and web platforms. Includes instruction in computer programming, computer hardware, data structures, database theory, maintenance, operating systems, project management, software development, and systems analysis.
Any instructional program in computer programming not listed above.
A program that focuses on computer theory, computing problems and solutions, and the design of computer systems and user interfaces from a scientific perspective. Includes instruction in the principles of computational science, computer development and programming, and applications to a variety of end-use situations.
A program that focuses on the software, hardware, and mathematical tools used to represent, display, and manipulate topological, two-, and three-dimensional objects on a computer screen and that prepares individuals to function as computer graphics specialists. Includes instruction in graphics software and systems; digital multimedia; graphic design; graphics devices, processors, and standards; attributes and transformations; projections; surface identification and rendering; color theory and application; and applicable geometry and algorithms.
A program focusing on the principles of applied visual simulation technology and the application of quantitative analyses to human-computer interaction. Includes instruction in object-oriented programming, artificial intelligence, computer communications and networks, computer graphics, virtual worlds and simulation systems, probability, statistics, stochastic modeling, data analysis, human-performance evaluation, and human-behavior modeling.
A program that prepares individuals to design and implement enterprise software systems that rely on distributed computing and service-oriented architecture, including databases, web services, cloud computing, and mobile apps. Includes instruction in data management, distributed and cloud computing, enterprise software architecture, enterprise and cloud security, mobile systems and applications, server administration, and web development.
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to support engineers in developing, implementing, and evaluating computer software and program applications. Includes instruction in computer programming, programming languages, databases, user interfaces, networking and warehousing, encryption and security, software testing and evaluation, and customization.
A program that focuses on the study of scientific computing and its application. Includes instruction in scientific visualization, multi-scale analysis, grid generation, data analysis, applied mathematics, numerical algorithms, high performance parallel computing, and numerical modeling and simulation with applications in science, engineering and other disciplines in which computation plays an integral role.
A program that prepares individuals to apply data science to generate insights from data and identify and predict trends. Includes instruction in computer databases, computer programming, inference, machine learning, optimization, probability and stochastic models, statistics, strategy, uncertainty quantification, and visual analytics.
A program that prepares individuals to organize and derive meaning from data by using visual presentation tools and techniques. Includes instruction in cognitive science, computer programming, data management, data visualization theory, graphic design, infographics, perceptual psychology, statistics, and visual design.
Any instructional program in data analytics not listed above.
A program that prepares individuals to apply computer programming, troubleshooting, and information technology skills to the installation, maintenance, and upgrade of standard, customized, or proprietary medical software and associated hardware. Includes instruction in computer programming, systems analysis, networking, telecommunications, medical records and informatics software applications, information technology, systems administration, computer security, and applicable regulations and certifications or licenses.
A program that generally prepares individuals to provide and manage data systems and related facilities for processing and retrieving internal business information; select systems and train personnel; and respond to external data requests. Includes instruction in cost and accounting information systems, management control systems, personnel information systems, data storage and security, business systems networking, report preparation, computer facilities and equipment operation and maintenance, operator supervision and training, and management information systems policy and planning.
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$96,650 per yearNational average salaryDecliningJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as computer programmers.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 5%
- College dropout 12%
- Associate’s degree 8%
- Bachelor’s degree 50%
- Master’s degree 21%
- Doctorate degree 2%
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