Computer programmers

Detailed Occupation

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2020 Workforce

382k

Average Age

Average Salary

$91,836

Average Male Salary

$94,698

Average Female Salary

$81,372

About

Computer programmers are most often employed by the Computer Systems Design industry. The average yearly wage for Computer programmers was $91,836 in 2016. The top 3 most similar occupations to Computer programmers by wage are Other Physical Scientists, Software quality assurance analysts and testers, and Purchasing managers.

Computer programmers are part of the Computer & mathematical occupations, along with Computer systems analysts, Information security analysts, Computer and information research scientists, Computer support specialists, Computer network architects, and 11 more.

The top 3 locations that employ the most Computer programmers are Middlesex County (Southwest) PUMA, NJ, Apex & Holly Springs Towns PUMA, NC, and Forsyth County PUMA, GA. The top 3 locations with a relatively high concentration of Computer programmers are Middlesex County (Southwest) PUMA, NJ, Apex & Holly Springs Towns PUMA, NC, and Metuchen Borough PUMA, NJ.

Management, business, science, & arts occupations Computer & mathematical occupations Computer, engineering, & science occupations

Employment

Information on the businesses and industries that employ Computer programmers and on wages and locations for those in the field. Computer Systems Design is the industry that employs the most Computer programmers, both by share and by number, though the highest paid industry for Computer programmers, by average wage, is Taxi & limousine service. Computer programmers are paid most in Vista City PUMA, CA but are relatively concentrated in Middlesex County (Southwest) PUMA, NJ.

Wages

Yearly Wage

$91,836

AVERAGE SALARY

± $2,419

In 2020, Computer programmers earned an average of $91,836, $35,882 more than than the average national salary of $55,954.

Other Physical Scientists make somewhat more than Computer programmers while Purchasing managers make somewhat less. This chart shows the various occupations closest to Computer programmers as measured by average annual salary in the US.

Wage Distribution

0.304

WAGE GINI

In 2019, Computer programmers had a wage GINI coefficient of 0.304, which is lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly for Computer programmers (shown in red) than for the overall labor force (shown in gray).

Wage by Location

HIGHEST PAYING PUMAS

This map shows the Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs) in the United States shaded by average annual wage for Computer programmers.

Spatial Concentration

PUMAs with a Relatively High Concentration of Computer programmers

This map displays which Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs) in the United States have a relatively high population of Computer programmers.

Industries

Most Common

The most common industries employing Computer programmers, by number of employees, are Computer Systems Design, Insurance carriers, Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges, Banking & related activities, Management, scientific & technical consulting services, Securities, commodities, funds, trusts & other financial investments, Scientific research & development services, Executive offices & legislative bodies, Nondepository credit & related activities, Architectural, engineering & related services, and Electronic component & product manufacturing, n.e.c. .

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries for Computer programmers, by average wage, are Taxi & limousine service, Independent artists, writers, and performers, and Other information services, except libraries & archives, & internet publishing & broadcasting & web search portals.

Industries by Share

382k

2020 Workforce

± 15,160

−5.45%

1 YEAR GROWTH

± 5.85%

The number of people employed as Computer programmers has been declining at a rate of −5.45%, from 404,294 people in 2019 to 382,257 people in 2020.

This graphic shows the share of Computer programmers employed by various industries. Computer Systems Design employs the largest share of Computer programmers at 30.2%, followed by Insurance carriers with 5.34% and Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges with 4.45%.

Diversity

Demographic information on Computer programmers in the US. The average age of male Computer programmers in the workforce is 42.7 and of female Computer programmers is 44.3, and the most common race/ethnicity for Computer programmers is White (Non-Hispanic).

Composition by Sex

300k

MALE WORKFORCE

± 13,438

82.1k

FEMALE WORKFORCE

± 7,032

78.5% of Computer programmers are Male, making them the more common sex in the occupation. This chart shows the sex breakdown of Computer programmers.

Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity of Computer programmers

White (Non-Hispanic)
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
Black (Non-Hispanic)

66% of Computer programmers are White (Non-Hispanic), making that the most common race or ethnicity in the occupation. Representing 19.6% of Computer programmers, Asian (Non-Hispanic) is the second most common race or ethnicity in this occupation. This chart shows the racial and ethnic breakdown of Computer programmers.

Age by Sex

42.7

AVERAGE MALE AGE

± 0.579

44.3

AVERAGE FEMALE AGE

± 1.09

The median age of Computer programmers is 43, and Male employees are generally 1.68 years younger than than their Female counterparts.

Education

Data on higher education choices for Computer programmers from The Department of Education and Census Bureau. The most common major for Computer programmers is Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services but a relatively high number of Computer programmers hold a major in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services.