Computer programmers

Detailed Occupation

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2024 Workforce

298k

Average Age

44.6

Estimated Job Growth

−6.02%

10-year projection

Average Salary

$109,826

Average Male Salary

$112,809

Average Female Salary

$97,386

About

Computer programmers are most often employed by the Computer Systems Design industry. The average yearly wage for Computer programmers was $109,826 in 2024.

The locations that employ the most Computer programmers are Williamson County (South)--Austin City (Far North), Brushy Creek & Jollyville PUMA, TX, Atlanta Regional Commision (Northeast)--Forsyth County (South)--Cumming City PUMA, GA, and Loudoun County (East Central)--Ashburn (Southwest/Belmont Ridge) & Dulles Airport PUMA, VA. The locations with a relatively high concentration of Computer programmers are Chester County (West)--Phoenixville Borough PUMA, PA, Williamson County (South)--Austin City (Far North), Brushy Creek & Jollyville PUMA, TX, and Middlesex County (North Central)--Metuchen & South Edison PUMA, NJ.

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

Employment and salary information for the Computer programmers workforce. Computer programmers workforce in 2024 was 297,506 people, of which 19.3% were women and 80.7% were men. Computer programmers are paid most in Madison & Cortland Counties PUMA, NY but are relatively concentrated in Chester County (West)--Phoenixville Borough PUMA, PA.

Employment Over Time

Metric

Grouping

239,968

Male Workforce

± 12k

57,538

Female Workforce

± 5.89k

The Computer programmers workforce in 2024 was 297,506 people (19.3% women and 80.7% men). This implies an average annual growth of −30.4% between 2018 (427,639) and 2024 (297,506).

Employment by Location

Level

Metric

This map shows the states in the United States shaded by average wage for Computer programmers.

During 2024, the states that concentrated the best average annual wage were Washington ($139,677), New Jersey ($137,989), and California ($130,449).

Yearly Wage Ranking

$109,826

AVERAGE WAGE

#58 in the ranking (2018)

$69,878

NATIONAL AVERAGE WAGE

For all occupations across the US

In 2024, Computer programmers earned an average of $109,826, $39,948 more than the average national salary of $69,878

The graph shows the ranking of Computer programmers in relation to all Detailed Occupation in 2018.

Wage Distribution

Gender

0.321

WAGE GINI

In 2024, Computer programmers had a wage GINI coefficient of 0.321, which is lower than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly for Computer programmers (shown in red) than for the overall labor force (shown in gray).

The graphic shows the distribution of average salaries by buckets for Computer programmers compared to the entire workforce in the country.

Industry

Information on the industries that employ Computer programmers and on wages 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 ($347,221).

Occupations by Industries

Metric

Value

298k

2024 Workforce

± 13,378

−4.19%

1 YEAR GROWTH

± 6.57%

This graphic shows the share of Computer programmers employed by various industries. Computer Systems Design employs the largest share of Computer programmers at 71.4%, followed by Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges with 10.7% and Insurance carriers with 10.6%.

Diversity

Demographic information on Computer programmers in the US. The workforce of Computer programmers in 2024 was 297,506 people, with 19.3% woman, and 80.7% men. The average age of male Computer programmers in the workforce is 44.4 and of female Computer programmers is 45.2, and the most common race/ethnicity for Computer programmers is White.

Gender and Age

Metric

The workforce of Computer programmers in 2024 was 297,506 people, with 19.3% woman, and 80.7% men.

The age ranges that concentrated the largest workforce were 55 to 59 years (35,869 people), 40 to 44 years (34,581 people), and 50 to 54 years (33,722 people). Among them they concentrated 35% of the total workforce.

Ethnicity

Gender

In 2024, 8.96% of Computer programmers workers were Hispanic and 91% non-Hispanic.

The treemap shows the distribution of Hispanic workers according to their origin, highlighting Mexican (42.6%), Puerto Rican (17.2)%, and Cuban (7.36)%

You can review this information by gender using the selectors above.

Races

In 2024, 65.2% of the Computer programmers workforce were White, of which 16.6% were women and 83.4% men. Other races that concentrated a significant number of workers were Asian (17.9%) and Two or More Races (8.52%).

Education & Skills

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 the most specialized major according to RCA in 2024 were Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services.

Majors

ACS PUMS data only shows the major for bachelor's degrees. However, we can filter the data based on highest degree obtained.

Type of Majors

Degree

The most common majors achieved by Computer programmers in 2024 (counting all academic degrees) were Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (80,162 people), Engineering (33,008 people), and Business (26,363 people).

You can review this information for different academic grades by modifying the option selected in the selector above.

Education Levels

Metric

The main educational levels achieved by the Computer programmers workers were Bachelors Degree (147,486 people), Graduate Degree (63,433 people), and Some college (40,822 people).

The graphic shows the Computer programmers workforce by gender and educational level.

Projections

Projections on job growth for Computer Programmers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 10-year national workforce is projected to grow 3.07%, but Computer Programmers are expected to see a growth of −6.02% over the same period. This occupation is expected to grow less than the national average.

Job Growth

−6.02%

Estimated Job Growth

10-year Projection

3.07%

National Growth

10-year Projection

This line chart shows the projected 10-year growth in the number of jobs for Computer programmers. This profession is expected to grow less than than 3.07%, the average rate of national job growth.